An Assessment of Current Criteria for Furnishing Aid through the US Military Assistance Program
Abstract
Throughout history military assistance has been an important tool of statecraft. It has been used to cement alliances, to bolster a weaker ally, and to develop an ally to the strategic advantage of the stronger state. Acceptance of the Truman Doctrine in 1947 by the U.S. Congress in voting the Greek-Turkish Aid Act, followed successively by the Marshall Plan and Mutual Defense Assistance Act, placed military assistance in a new light. It became an integral part of U.S. foreign policy, and, with other forms of foreign aid, the salvation of the free world in the post-World War II struggle against the pressures of Soviet imperialism and Communist aggression. Notwithstanding its humanitarian aspects, military assistance has contributed to development and furtherance of national strategy. Military assistance has become an extension of U.S. national defense. It has supported a strategy of collective defense by creating strong allies in forward deployments against communism. It has, as was intended by Congress, promoted the foreign policy, security, and general welfare of the United States. The criteria for determining the recipients and the amount of aid have not been specified in exact terms by law. Rather, the criteria must be viewed in terms of effects -- effects that giving assistance will have upon our national objectives and national strategy. The author concludes that, in spite of its inherent weaknesses, the military assistance program has served the best interests of the United States. In exchange, should nations be required to give assurances that they will support U.S. policy in its fight against communism? The author states that such assurances are neither desirable nor necessarily in the United States' interests. He proposes, however, that no nation be permitted to receive U.S. assistance while receiving Soviet of other Communist support.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 08, 1966
- Accession Number
- ADA497987
Entities
People
- Fred B. Schoomaker
Organizations
- United States Army War College