John Foster Dulles, who served as the U.S. Secretary of State from 1953 to 1959, was a pivotal figure in shaping American foreign policy during the Cold War era. Known for his staunch opposition to communism, Dulles labeled it a "moral evil" and played a key role in developing strategies to contain its spread, underpinning policies of "massive retaliation" and "brinkmanship." These concepts involved using the threat of nuclear reprisal and willingness to risk war to ensure peace, aligning with President Eisenhower's "New Look" defense policy, which emphasized technological advancement and nuclear deterrence.

Born in Washington, D.C., in 1888 into a politically influential family, Dulles was drawn to international politics early on, inspired by attending the Second Hague Peace Conference. His career included significant contributions to international peace efforts and foreign policy discourse, notably through works like War, Peace, and Change and War or Peace. The latter critiques Truman's containment strategy, advocating for more proactive measures against communism, as noted by several contemporary critics such as William T. Fox and Basil Rauch.

Dulles's tenure included efforts to curb Soviet influence in Eastern Europe and establish the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) to prevent communist expansion. His diplomatic maneuvers, like the negotiations over the Quemoy and Matsu islands and the Suez Crisis, showcased his complex engagement in global conflicts. Despite his controversial methods and eventual decline due to cancer, Dulles's legacy in American diplomacy remains significant, prompting reevaluations by historians such as Challener and Fenton, who highlight the depth of his character beyond the stereotypical portrayals.

Critics have examined Dulles's collaboration with President Eisenhower, considering whether Dulles exerted dominant influence on U.S. foreign policy during the administration's tenure. While his approach was initially criticized for exacerbating Cold War tensions, later assessments have sought a more nuanced understanding of his contributions, as discussed by scholars like Ronald W. Pruessen and Richard H. Immerman.