1. U.S.

Soviet containment towards Asia/Asia Pacific

A democratic Europe was a priority for Truman, Marshall, and Acheson. Because the USSR's
power base was geographically further away and its armed forces were concentrated on its
satellite states in Eastern Europe, American "containment" in Asia was on a lesser scale between
1945 and 1950. The United Republics wanted to strengthen relations with Asia and rebuild
Japan and the Philippines as role models for democratic prosperity.

Its objective was to promote capitalism and the growth of strong economies based on free trade
in Southeast Asia. These Republics thought that their political system was the best in the world,
and that after witnessing the benefits of democracy in these model nations, no country would
adopt communism. They began with their own ex-colony in the Philippines. The forceful
imposition of Western culture on another country is an example of cultural imperialism. Its
objective in Southeast Asia is to preserve capitalism and develop strong, free-trade economies.
Their affluent economies would help spread defense costs.

2. U.S. Soviet containment towards Middle East/Mediterranean

Cold War conflicts were also raging in the Middle East. Even though British and American forces
had already departed, the area, which was strategically important as an oil supply, appeared
vulnerable in 1946 when Soviet soldiers failed to leave Iran as promised. The United States has
asked the United Nations to criticize Moscow's continued army deployment. When the
Americans spotted Soviet tanks approaching the area, they prepared for a frontal assault. When
faced with American aggressiveness, the Soviets withdrew their soldiers.

Two years later, the United States formally recognized Israel 15 minutes after it was proclaimed,
a decision Truman overcame considerable objections from Marshall and the State Department.
While retaining close ties with Israel, the United States also sought to keep the goodwill of Arab
states that reject the Jewish state.

3. New perspective – “Long Telegram”

Kennan was one of the American diplomats who helped set up the first American embassy in the
Soviet Union in 1933. While he regularly expressed respect for the Russian people, he became
more skeptical of the Soviet Union's communist government. He believed that President
Franklin D. Roosevelt's cordial and cooperative approach toward Soviet leader Joseph Stalin was
inappropriate throughout World War II. Less than a year after Roosevelt's death, Kennan, then
serving as the United States' charge d'affaires in Moscow, expressed his ideas in the "long
telegraph."

Kennan's telegram caused a sensation in Washington. In reaction to Stalin's vehement

statements and threats against Iran and Turkey in 1945-1946, the Truman administration chose
to take a harder position against the Soviets, focusing on the country's military and economic
might rather than diplomacy. Because of these factors, Kennan's work was well-received. His
idea that a policy of "strong resistance" might halt Soviet expansionism became the cornerstone
of American Cold War diplomacy for the next two decades. In 1952, Kennan was selected as the
United States' ambassador to the Soviet Union, which gave him a boost in his diplomatic career.
4. Shift in U.S. Soviet policy
Containment was a United States policy that employed several methods to prevent communism
from spreading throughout the globe. The Soviet Union's ambitions to spread its communist
sphere of influence across the world prompted this approach. In a 1946 cable, US ambassador
George F. Kennan described the doctrine's basis. Kennan used the phrase in a 1947
communication to the US defense secretary, which was later used in a magazine article to
describe US foreign policy.

The phrase "containment" is most closely linked with President Harry Truman's policy, which
included the establishment of NATO. Containment was a tactic adopted by President Lyndon B.
Johnson to explain his Vietnam policy. President Richard Nixon and his senior advisor Henry
Kissinger opposed containment in favor of improving ties with the Soviet Union and China,
including increased commerce.

5. Escalation of Cold War tensions

 US misunderstanding of Soviet motives- Throughout the Cold War, both the US and the
Soviet Union routinely misunderstood one other's words, actions, and intentions. When
one party fails to examine the implications of what it says and does, the chance of
misunderstandings skyrockets.
 Stalin’s personal agenda- Perhaps the most contentious issue was Stalin's postwar policy
in Eastern Europe. Stalin's Red Army has been gradually pushing German forces out of
Eastern Europe since 1943. Most Eastern European nations had elections between 1945
and 1947 that were heavily rigged in favor of communists.
 US desire to expand its influence globally- The US sought to spread capitalism, but I
believe it was mostly in response to the Soviet Union's plans to expand communism.
 The Second World War- Stalin agrees to the Soviet-Nazi deal to divide Poland and create
a barrier between Russia and the rest of Europe. For obvious reasons, the United States'
trust in Russia eroded.
 Soviet brutality- Following World War II, Germany was divided into four pieces by US,
British, French, and Russian allies. As reparation, Russia had carried out a plan of
vengeance among the Germans. Mass rape and other heinous circumstances were
imposed, but the US was unable to respond.