A strategic foreign policy doctrine, prominent during the Cold War, aimed to prevent the expansion of a hostile power’s sphere of influence. This approach, conceived largely by George Kennan, involved employing a range of measures diplomatic, economic, and military to restrict the geographical spread of the opposing ideology and power. An example includes the United States’ actions in Korea and Vietnam, where intervention was justified as preventing further spread into Southeast Asia.
This strategy significantly shaped U.S. foreign policy for several decades. It provided the rationale for substantial military spending, the formation of alliances like NATO, and intervention in numerous conflicts around the globe. The belief was that by preventing further gains by the opposing power, internal pressures within that system would eventually lead to its collapse or moderation, thereby securing the interests of the initiating nation and its allies. The long-term effects of this approach are still debated, but its influence on the international landscape during its period of prominence is undeniable.
