17. Editorial Note
Before a Joint Session of Congress on January 5, 1957, the President enunciated what came to be known as the Eisenhower Doctrine, intended to bolster the economic strength, defensive capacity, and independence of Middle East nations and to provide, upon request, military assistance to nations imperiled by Communist armed aggression. On March 9, the Congress authorized the implementation of a program of economic and military aid (Public Law 85–7, 71 Stat. 5). The President charged Ambassador James P. Richards with the responsibility of conveying United States proposals and explaining United States policies to the concerned nations. In the course of his mission between March 12 and May 8, Ambassador Richards visited Lebanon, Libya, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Greece, Tunisia, Morocco, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Ethiopia, Israel, and the Sudan. Regarding Richards’ talks in North and North East Africa, see Documents 118–120, 167, 213, 237, and 250–251.