ABSTRACT

Dwight D. Eisenhower’s immediate objective was to pursue a more aggressive foreign policy than his predecessor did and to disengage from the Korean Peninsula. He also introduced a ‘new look’ defence policy which emphasised defence cuts and more reliance on America’s allies backed by nuclear superiority over the Chinese and the Soviets. Clarence B. Randall, Special Assistant to Eisenhower on foreign economic policy and Chairman of the Council on Foreign Economic Policy, believed in the economic integration of Southeast Asia and called for an economic conference of the nations of the Far East and Southeast Asia. Eisenhower came to office determined to take a tougher stance on communism than his predecessor. It can be debated as to whether he actually managed this, and, much of what he sought to achieve, particularly in Asia, did provide continuity with Truman’s policies.