[314]
The Reagan administration developed constructive engagement[315] with the South African government as a means of encouraging it to move away from apartheid gradually. It was part of a larger initiative designed to foster peaceful economic development and political change throughout southern Africa.[316] This policy, however, engendered much public criticism, and renewed calls for the imposition of stringent sanctions.[317] In response, Reagan announced the imposition of new sanctions on the South African government, including an arms embargo in late 1985.[318] These sanctions were seen as weak by anti-apartheid activists and as insufficient by the president's opponents in Congress.[317] In 1986, Congress approved the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act, which included tougher sanctions; Reagan's veto was overridden by Congress. Afterward, he remained opposed to apartheid and unsure of "how best to oppose it". Several European countries, as well as Japan, also imposed their sanctions on South Africa soon after.[319]

Libya bombing
Main article: 1986 United States bombing of Libya
Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, November 1986
Relations between Libya and the United States under President Reagan were continually contentious, beginning with the 1981 Gulf of Sidra incident. 