The Carter Doctrine

The Carter Doctrine is a key U.S. foreign policy established by President Jimmy Carter in 1980. It asserts that the United States will use military force if necessary to protect its national interests in the Persian Gulf region. This was primarily a response to the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan and the risks it posed to oil supplies and regional stability. The doctrine highlighted the importance of the Gulf oil reserves to the U.S. economy and aimed to deter any threats to American access to these resources. It marked a significant commitment to security in the Middle East.