Foreign policy is a set of decisions made by states and other international actors to protect their national interests in a constantly changing world. It encompasses a variety of goals, from military alliances and trade agreements to humanitarian programs and diplomacy. Foreign policy also involves promoting mutual understanding between peoples in different countries, which can enhance a country’s global standing and help advance its national interests.
There are many ways to define foreign policy, but one common way is to split it into “hard” and “soft” policies. Hard foreign policy uses the threat of force to achieve political or economic goals, including military intervention, sanctions, and nuclear deterrence. Soft foreign policy uses the power of attraction, such as cultural exchange and public diplomacy, to encourage other countries to cooperate and compromise.
While military power has always been a part of foreign policy, diplomats can often play a more critical role in defusing conflicts and bringing warring nations together to find a solution to a dangerous situation. Diplomats have often been called the “middle men” of conflict resolution, and there is a clear crossover between great military minds and diplomats, with leaders like Dwight Eisenhower and George Marshall both serving in both roles. While the Constitution vests the authority for conducting foreign policy in the President of the United States, Secretaries of State and their staffs make the actual decisions. They manage relationships with more than 190 countries and more than 180 international organizations, and work to advance the nation’s core values in an increasingly interconnected world.
