Presidential Cold War Doctrines: What Are They Good For?

This article explores the importance of access to previously classified materials in the field of diplomatic history, particularly in relation to the Cold War period. It discusses the efforts made by organizations like the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations and the National Security Archive to ensure access to classified materials. The article also examines the significance of public-facing foreign policy statements, such as presidential doctrines, during the Cold War. It provides examples of three different Cold War doctrines: the Eisenhower Doctrine, the Kennedy Doctrine, and the Nixon Doctrine, highlighting their purposes and impacts. The article concludes by discussing the limitations and implications of these doctrines, emphasizing the need to study them to understand the impact of the Cold War on U.S. foreign policy. [Extracted from the article]