The Foreign Policy of an Earlier Reagan Administration

[Ron Paul 2012]

I have been wondering. Republicans often criticize the handling of a range of foreign policy issues by the Carter administration in the late 1970s. It seems Reagan's strengths are often exaggerated and Carter is unfairly criticized. I have a variety of questions regarding how exactly a GOP icon like Ronald Reagan would have faced the same issues. Specifically:

1)Arab/Israeli Conflict

2) The Establishment of Rapid Deployment Forces

3)Human Rights

4)Relations with China

5)The Panama Canal

6)SALT

7)Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

8)Iran Hostage Crisis

Also, are there any other foreign issues that could have presented themselves with a more conservative administration (ie: covert intervention in foreign nations)?

[arrowiv]

How would a 1976 Reagan administration handle Rhodesia? Would it actually recognize the Ian Smith white minority government and what would it do for Anglo-American relations? Would Reagan actually recognize the PRC in that time or continue to maintain close ties with the ROC and Kuomintang?

[Plumber]

Originally Posted by Ron Paul 2012

I have been wondering. Republicans often criticize the handling of a range of foreign policy issues by the Carter administration in the late 1970s. It seems Reagan's strengths are often exaggerated and Carter is unfairly criticized. I have a variety of questions regarding how exactly a GOP icon like Ronald Reagan would have faced the same issues. Specifically:

1)Arab/Israeli Conflict
Worse than Carter. Probably no Egyptian rapprochement.

3)Human Rights
Ignored

4)Relations with China
OTL I think. Carter warmed up to China despite human rights, Reagan will despite them being "Red"

5)The Panama Canal
We keep it. Bad for Latin American relations for no real gain.

6)SALT
None

7)Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
They might not do it with Ronnie Raygun in the WH. Same response as Carter, arming the insurgents.

8)Iran Hostage Crisis
Probably about the same. Also See: Iran-Contra

Rapid Deployment Forces, I dunno.

[Wendell]

Actually, alot of Republicans were for reversion of the Canal Zone to Panama, so that might have happened anyway.