Interventionism as an Instrument of US Foreign Policy in the Middle East during the Cold War: Operations in Lebanon in 1958 and 1982–1984
https://doi.org/10.21603/sibscript-2025-27-6-1142-1151
Abstract
Interventionism was a major tool of the US foreign policy in the era of bipolar confrontation. Today, the USA continues to use it to advance its interests in different regions. The two US interventions in Lebanon in 1958 and 1982–1984 demonstrated both similarities and differences in the specific historical context. Despite the quarter-of-a-century gap between these two military operations, the geopolitical component remained the same: the USA wanted to control the processes in the Syria–Israel–Iran triangle. Both operations had a domestic political background as the White House intended to strengthen its prestige and leadership in relations with the Congress and to win more voters. However, the scale, consequences, and legal aspects of the interventions initiated by Eisenhower and Reagan differed. In 1958, the USA managed to avoid human losses despite a larger military contingent. In 1982–1984, the much smaller expeditionary force lost several hundred marines. Yet, both operations strengthened the conviction of the White House in its right and ability to intervene in the affairs of other countries.
About the Authors
Vladimir P. Rumyantsev
Tomsk State University
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Tomsk
Scopus Author ID: 571905790633
Competing Interests:
The author declared no potential conflict of interests regarding the research, authorship, and / or publication of this article.
Semen K. Ilin
Kemerovo State Medical University;
Tomsk State University
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Kemerovo
Tomsk
Competing Interests:
The author declared no potential conflict of interests regarding the research, authorship, and / or publication of this article.
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Review
For citations:
Rumyantsev V.P., Ilin S.K. Interventionism as an Instrument of US Foreign Policy in the Middle East during the Cold War: Operations in Lebanon in 1958 and 1982–1984. SibScript. 2025;27(6):1142-1151. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.21603/sibscript-2025-27-6-1142-1151
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