American foreign policy during the Cold War revolved around the idea of Containment. Containment was the brainchild of George Kennan, who believed that Stalin was more interested in security at home than advancement of Communism. The Soviets wanted to spread Communism, but not if it threatened them at home. So, in order for America to stop the spread of Communism we must show the Soviets that we were willing to fight anywhere. This 1947 idea became the cause of American warfare for the next 40 years.
Historically Speaking 