Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Doctoral Dissertations Graduate School 2017 An Elusive Peace: The orF eign Policy Challenges of the Clinton Administration in a Post-Cold War World Jennifer Perrett aliourG as Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations Part of the History Commons Recommended Citation Galiouras, Jennifer Perrett, "An Elusive Peace: The orF eign Policy Challenges of the Clinton Administration in a Post-Cold War World" (2017). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 4310. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/4310 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized graduate school editor of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please [email protected]. AN ELUSIVE PEACE: THE FOREIGN POLICY CHALLENGES OF THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IN A POST-COLD WAR WORLD A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences by Jennifer Perrett Galiouras B.S., Louisiana State University, 2000 M.A., Louisiana State University-Shreveport, 2009 August 2017 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My professional journey began in 2000 as a media advertising executive in the most culturally eclectic and unique city in the world: my native New Orleans. Almost nine years later, I ventured back into campus life at Louisiana State University, which served as a second home to me for so many years, on a changed course I never thought I would have the great fortune to follow. Mine is a story that overflows with so many irreplaceable individuals, who never once waivered in their support for my desire to fulfill a professional goal that demanded so much of both my time and theirs. The decision to pursue my doctoral degree at LSU began in earnest while obtaining my Master’s Degree in Liberal Arts and Humanities at Louisiana State University in Shreveport. While working as a writing instructor at LSUS, I obtained an invaluable background in European History, and particularly in the areas of the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, from one of the foremost experts in his field. Dr. Michael Leggiere, who now serves as the Deputy Director of Military Studies at the University of North Texas, offered resolute encouragement, and expressed a staunch confidence in my abilities while I initially attempted to navigate the unchartered waters of academia. Within his lectures and counsel, he provided a solid and objective historical background upon which I would build my knowledge of global events, and put forth a substantial, comprehensive context for my scholarly drive to effectively evaluate the world and America’s role in it. I will always be grateful to Dr. Leggiere for his blunt approach and honest direction. Prior to my return to LSU, I made an incredibly beneficial decision which, at the time, seemed to be a road block. Though my initial goal was to enter into a doctoral program immediately after acquiring my Master’s Degree, I instead enrolled in the Graduate Program at ii the University of New Orleans to prevent any break in scholarship after an unexpected transfer back home. Here, I had the benefit of studying for one year under Dr. Gűnter Bischof, the University Research Professor of History, Marshall Plan Professor, and Director of Center Austria at UNO. “Dr. B,” as I like to call him, further enhanced my scholarship in the areas of Cold War research and post-World War II global developments. He always gave me constructive criticism, and though we often approached subjects from opposite points of view, he consistently fostered healthy and informative debate, and was instrumental in expanding my understanding of the academic world. I am so appreciative of him for his support in my application process to LSU, and consider him a treasure to students who are fortunate enough to gain from his tutelage, as I certainly did. My entry into the Doctoral Program in the LSU Department of Humanities and Social Sciences was largely determined by my incredible advisor and Committee Chair, Dr. David Culbert. For almost seven years, Dr. Culbert trusted my judgement and allowed me the freedom to pursue a topic that has overwhelmed yet excited me at almost every turn. Even during the most stressful of times, he provided an objective, insightful voice, which was always followed by an ingenious piece of wit. While he appreciated my legendary stubbornness and often rebellious attitude towards the institution of higher learning, he also taught me to respect the process, and practice what I preached when it came to objectivity in analysis. His sage advice ultimately made me a better student. He and his wonderful wife, Lubna, often welcomed me into their home for impromptu advising sessions, graciously attended my very own “Big Fat Greek Wedding,” and supported me during my time away when I gave birth to my daughter five weeks early. Dr. Culbert’s dedication to my success never faltered, and at every turn, he effortlessly fulfilled my idea of what an educator should be. Shortly following my dissertation defense, in iii which he once again proved to be my greatest champion in the world of academia, I tragically lost my mentor and friend when he suddenly passed away while vacationing in Italy. He was a brilliant, warm, eccentric person who I am incredibly blessed to have known. Dr. David Culbert will always be the standard to which I will fight to hold myself. I truly hope, as one of the many graduate students to benefit from his expertise, I serve him well in my future academic endeavors. My heart remains heavy in the wake of this immense loss. I also want to offer sincere thanks to an LSU History Department legend, who I first encountered as an undergrad, and had the subsequent privilege to work under as a graduate student. Dr. Stanley Hilton, who is now enjoying his retirement and spending much-deserved time with his cherished granddaughters, remains one of the most enthralling, passionate, and wise lecturers I have ever had the privilege to hear. Even as a twenty-year-old Mass Communications major, whose only priority was to earn my Humanities credit and embark on whatever exciting adventures awaited me in the “real world,” Dr. Hilton planted the seed of intrigue with regards to historical analysis and presentation that always tugged at me. Although it would not fully blossom for almost a decade, it was his riveting portrait of the US in the Twentieth Century, and especially during the Second World War, that eventually convinced me to alter my career path and undertake this daunting new challenge. It has been an unexpected and unequaled honor to study at the right hand of the man who first inspired my true love for historical scholarship. And his gentility and patience towards his pregnant Teaching Assistant, who was usually starving and exhausted, earns him an additional star in my book. I would not be at this point in my academic career without the early friendship and loyalty of Emily Meyer Hall. From our simultaneous entry into the LSU Ph.D. program, through the serendipitous timing of both our marriages and pregnancies, and up to the present, she iv remains a sharp, authentic sounding-board for me; not only as a colleague, but also as a fellow mother. Her ingenious sarcasm and steady hand always provide me with perspective and encouragement, and I am so fortunate to have connected with her immediately upon boarding this formidable train. I also want to thank my fellow 2017 History Ph.D. graduate, Lauren Doughty Poche, and LSU Graduate School icon Erin Halloran, for always entertaining my unexpected office drive-bys, and for keeping me updated on department events when I left my Graduate Assistantship to finally slay this dragon. I could not have made it through the final weeks of this work without the advice and knowledge of J.B. White. His input was always incredibly constructive, and his experience in dealing with official government source usage and documentation immensely aided my research and final presentation. J.B. is on his way to becoming a fine addition to the field of US historical scholarship. While my gratitude for those within the academic field is certainly immense, I would never have gotten to this point without my family and friends. Most of my closest friends work outside of academia, and have thus suffered through countless hours of my relentless need to pontificate, particularly during social occasions. I hit the jackpot of kinship when I met Donna Breakfield Clark, who could not care less about the Solidarity Movement in Poland, yet listened intently when I discussed my research and writing challenges during our weekly phone calls or weekend visits. Her overwhelming success in her profession, as a mother, and as a friend, provides me with a shining goal to which I continue to aspire. As I see the clichéd light at the end of the tunnel, I am reminded of just how much her humor and companionship have sustained me through these years. I also want to thank Vincent Tortorich and Kevin Krause, who, for all intents and purposes, are my brothers-in-arms. They have picked me up from some of the more v challenging times life has offered, and helped me to overcome many obstacles with laughter and a healthy dose of surrender. I cherish the relationship that we have nourished over so many wild and wonderful years.