Deepening of “Engagement” Policy: The Study of United States George W. Bush’s Administration’s Foreign Policy Towards Mongolia

Deepening of “Engagement” Policy: The Study of United States George W. Bush’s Administration’s Foreign Policy Towards Mongolia

After the 1990s, substantive progress was made in U.S.-Mongolia relations. This was reflected in the United States’ support for and active engagement in Mongolia’s transition toward democracy and a market economy, aiming to integrate Mongolia into the U.S.-led “liberal international order.” The diplomatic policies of the George W. Bush administration (2001-2009, referred to as the Bush administration in the following text) saw new developments following the “9/11 attacks” in 2001. Faced with significant threats to U.S. national security from terrorist organizations and extremist ideologies, the Bush administration began promoting the so-called “Freedom Agenda” worldwide. Under these diplomatic considerations, the Bush administration strengthened cooperation with Mongolia to counter the threat of terrorism. Simultaneously, the Bush administration deepened its involvement in Mongolia’s transition by supporting the development of a democratic, market-based system. As a result, despite various challenges, Mongolia’s democratic system has become increasingly stable, and its economy has gradually overcome the pains of transition, achieving rapid growth in the early 21st century. Moreover, according to opinion polls in Mongolia, the United States’ influence in the country has been positively evaluated overall.