US Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles, wanted to influence/control Central Asian countries in the 1950s for three purposes. Which of the following is not one of those purposes: Prevent the spread of Communism and Soviet Influence Protect Israel from its neighboring Muslim enemies Extract oil from the Middle East Establish spy bases near the Soviet border

In the 1950s, John Foster Dulles was primarily focused on containing Soviet expansion and ensuring American interests in the region. While protecting Israel and establishing bases were indeed part of his strategy, the extraction of oil from the Middle East was more of a broader U.S. foreign policy goal rather than a direct purpose tied to Central Asian influence at that time. It’s important to recognize the geopolitical intricacies of the era, where oil became a crucial factor for many foreign policies following World War II. Given the changing dynamics of the Cold War, Dulles’s strategies primarily hinged on military and diplomatic measures. While oil was certainly a vital resource, it was not as explicitly tied to his objectives regarding Central Asian countries compared to the overarching fears of communism's spread. Instead, playing chess with nuclear strategies and forming alliances in the midst of Cold War tensions were at the forefront of his plans.