Ebb Tide

This chapter outlines the “strategic concept” or vision for US policy in East Asia that Kennan formulated in 1948, which arguably originated the idea of a “defensive perimeter” or “offshore island” defense posture. Kennan, however, was subsequently inconsistent in his promotion of the concept; and the chapter highlights how his influence over policy direction started to diminish after Dean Acheson succeeded Marshall as Secretary of State in January 1949. This was reflected in deliberations over multiple aspects of China policy over the course of 1949—especially the dilemma over the status of Taiwan, on which Kennan played an uncharacteristically aggressive role.