ABSTRACT
One of the leading post——World War II US diplomats, George F. Kennan formulated the policy of containment employed against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. George F. Kennan opposed the alliance with the Soviet Union during World War II and, as a political realist, advocated the division of Europe into spheres of influence between the United States and the Soviet Union even before the end of the war. George F. Kennan exerted the most influence during the formative years of US postwar foreign policy. George F. Kennan's policies also resulted in a military buildup, including the permanent stationing of US troops in Western Europe. George F. Kennan convinced US policy makers to make Japan the linchpin of American actions in East Asia, providing Japan with economic assistance similar to that provided to Western Europe.
