From Clinton’s Doctrine to Dual Containment: Shaping U.S. Policy in the Persian Gulf

Abstract

During 1993-1997, the policy of dual containment was selected by Clinton’s administration to prevent
Iran and Iraq from any action jeopardizing the interests of the international community especially the
United State of America. The new policy of dual containment was the result of the new world order in
which the U.S. found itself as the hub of the new world after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Also, this
new policy put away the balance of power policy that was the main policy of previous American
administrations which had sought a balance of power between Iran and Iraq in order to contain these
two nations from any aggression to the global peace and security.