The Iranian hostage crisis had played a huge part in setting the mood for foreign contact between the United States and many other Middle Eastern nations into the 00s, however there were many other events that shaped U.S. involvement in the Middle East. In 1970 during the civil war between Jordan and the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization), the United States and Israel prepare to join the side of Jordan if Syria backs the PLO. 1972, United States blocks the Egyptian President's attempts to reach a peace agreement with Israel. During 1973 the United States airlifted military aid to Israel, which turned the tide of the war between Syria and Egypt. Between 1973-75 the United States supports Kurdish rebels in Iraq; in 1975 the governments of Iran and Iraq reach an agreement and seal the border, Iraq killed the Kurds and the United States denied them refuge. Also in 1975 the United States vetoes a Security Council resolution, which condemned Israeli, attacks on the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. In 1979 the United States begins covert aid to a guerrilla group known as the Mujahideen, in Afghanistan six months before the Soviet invasion; over the next decade the United States provides over three billion dollars in aid and training to the Mujahideen.
80s.
Ronald Reagan was elected President in 1980 his administration was responsible for the most drastic changes in U.S. government, social policy, and economic changes in half a century. Reagan's administration succeeded in eliminating or reducing a number of social programs, which were begun by other presidents. Reagan also lifted many restrictions on businesses and their activities. .
Reagan changed the tone of United States foreign policy. Détente, which was a peaceful however strained policy of coexistence with the USSR, was de-emphasized, and the United States foreign policy was against all government movements under soviet influence.