Question

The Reagan administration focused on three priorities in foreign policy. Which of the following accurately states an initiative in one of the three areas?

A. Central America: an invasion of Panama to rescue American students and prevent a Marxist takeover
B. Middle East: successful retaliation against Libya and Lebanon for terrorist attacks
C. Far East: public rhetoric critical of China's suppression of democratic reform
D. Soviet Union: both a sharp military build-up and a new arms control treaty

Answer 1

The correct answer is D. Soviet Union: both a sharp military build-up and a new arms control treaty. This reflects Reagan's dual approach to foreign policy which involved increasing military defense spending while also engaging diplomatically with the Soviet Union to reduce nuclear arms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Reagan administration had three main priorities in foreign policy: confronting Communism in Latin America, engaging with the Soviet Union, and retaliating against terrorism in the Middle East. The initiative that accurately represents one of these areas is D. Soviet Union: both a sharp military build-up and a new arms control treaty. President Ronald Reagan increased defense spending by 35 percent but also sought to improve relations with the Soviet Union. Through several meetings with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, Reagan negotiated the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) which eliminated certain types of nuclear weapons. In Latin America, the Reagan administration provided aid and military support to anti-Communist groups and right-wing governments to prevent leftist movements from gaining control. In the Middle East, Reagan's foreign policy involved successful retaliation against Libya for a terrorist attack on American soldiers. Furthermore, his doctrine emphasized providing aid globally to any group fighting against Communist forces, including insurgencies in Asia and Africa.