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The nuclear threat overshadowed developments in other areas during the fifties. Although the United States sought to avoid involvement in lim- ited war, for example, challenges arose continually that required it to supply military or economic aid or to dis- patch combat forces. American com- mitments to provide advisory groups and military missions around the world thus multiplied throughout the period, despite drives in Congress and the Executive Branch to cut costs.
The nation did, nevertheless, have its limits. It had little choice but to maintain two Army divisions south of the demilitarized zone in Korea and to provide substantial military as- sistance to South Korea's armed forc- es. It drew the line, however, when France sought American support for its effort to reclaim its empire in Indo- china. Confronted by French threats of noncooperation with NATO, the United States compromised by pro- viding military supplies, equipment, and economic aid. Lacking support from its other allies, however, it declined to commit American troops or bombers.