ABSTRACT
The United States has had a significant interest in the outcome of the ten mid-intensity, interstate wars which have occurred. The United States and especially Britain and France were aware that a new Arab-Israeli war could have far-reaching and very negative effects on the Western interests in the Middle East. In both the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistan wars the United States played a major role to influence the outcome. Kennedy’s response to Indian requests was to dispatch light infantry weapons, mortars, and ammunition on an emergency basis. The Iran-Iraq war is a very interesting case, for the United States has used its power and influence to prevent Iran from achieving military victory over Iraq. The American arms embargo on Iran has successfully curtailed Iranian air capability and has given the Iraqi air force a “free ride.” American and British intervention during the 1965 Indo-Pakistani war had an immediate effect on bringing about an end to hostilities.
