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USA FOREIGN POLICY PT.2
1. Background of American Foreign Policy
● U.S. foreign policy encompasses actions designed to promote national interests,
security, and well-being globally.
● These actions include building a strong defense, fostering economic
competitiveness, and promoting peace, democracy, and freedom both domestically
and internationally.
● Foreign policy is dynamic and evolves based on changing circumstances, often
containing inherent contradictions, such as balancing aggression and the ideals of
freedom.
Historical Context
1. Isolationism (Early U.S. Policy):
○ George Washington advised avoiding foreign entanglements in his farewell
address.
○ The Monroe Doctrine (1823) declared non-interference in European affairs
and opposed European colonization in the Americas, reflecting British support
for such policies.
○ U.S. energies were focused on territorial expansion under Manifest Destiny
during this period.
2. Spanish-American War (1898):
○ Marked the emergence of the U.S. as a global power.
○ Territories acquired: Guam, Puerto Rico, Philippines, and later Hawaii.
○ Intervention in Central and South America, including supporting Panama's
independence, allowed for the Panama Canal construction.
○ Advocated for an Open Door Policy in China, promoting equal trading rights.
3. World Wars I and II:
○ Entered WWI in 1917 after neutrality, but returned to isolationism post-war,
rejecting the League of Nations.
○ Entered WWII following Pearl Harbor (1941), forming the Grand Alliance with
Britain, Soviet Union, and China.
○ Postwar strategies were shaped at conferences like Yalta and Potsdam,
though Soviet dominance in Eastern Europe persisted.
4. Cold War and Vietnam:
○ The containment policy, coined by George Kennan, aimed to counter Soviet
expansion and communism through alliances like NATO, SEATO, and
CENTO.
○ The Marshall Plan provided economic aid to rebuild Western Europe.
○ The domino theory justified U.S. involvement in Vietnam to prevent
communist spread, leading to immense human, financial, and political costs.
○ Periods of détente (e.g., SALT I) and summit diplomacy marked attempts to
ease tensions.
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5. End of the Cold War:
○ Reagan Doctrine supported anti-communist movements globally.
○ Soviet economic crises under glasnost and perestroika led to the Cold
War's conclusion.
○ The Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, creating independent states like Ukraine
and the Baltic nations.
6. Post-Cold War Era:
○ Addressed new conflicts, such as the Persian Gulf War (1991) against Iraq.
○ NATO expanded its role, intervening in conflicts like Kosovo and
Afghanistan.
2. Making Foreign Policy
Role of the President:
● Constitutional Powers:
○ Negotiates treaties, appoints ambassadors, and serves as
commander-in-chief of the military.
● Practical Actions:
○ Uses executive agreements with foreign leaders, bypassing Senate
approval (effective only during their term).
○ Relies on discretionary funds for diplomatic and military initiatives.
○ Deploys special envoys for negotiations without Senate confirmation.
Role of Congress:
● Checks and Balances:
○ Declares war and approves treaties.
○ Controls appropriations, enabling funding for military or foreign aid programs.
○ Investigates through committees, as seen in the Iran-Contra Affair.
● War Powers Act (1973):
○ Limits troop deployment to 60 days without Congressional approval, though
its effectiveness remains debated.
Role of the Media:
● Plays a vital role in shaping public opinion and the foreign policy agenda.
● Example: Vietnam War coverage shifted public opinion toward withdrawal, while
images of starvation in Somalia and ethnic cleansing in Bosnia built support for
intervention.
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3. Institutions of Foreign Policy
1. Department of State:
○ Responsible for diplomacy and maintaining global relations.
○ The Secretary of State serves as the chief foreign policy official, though
reliance on this role varies by administration.
○ Foreign Service Officers handle day-to-day diplomacy and provide critical
insights.
2. Department of Defense:
○ Integrates military strategy with foreign policy.
○ Joint Chiefs of Staff advise the president on military matters.
3. National Security Council (NSC):
○ Advises the president on foreign and security policies.
○ Members include the president, vice president, secretaries of state and
defense, and CIA director.
○ Roles vary: For example, Henry Kissinger was instrumental in Nixon's China
relations, while Condoleezza Rice played a key role during George W.
Bush’s administration.
4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA):
○ Collects and analyzes intelligence critical for national security.
○ Engages in covert operations, often controversial (e.g., influencing elections
or government overthrows).
○ Post-9/11 reforms introduced a National Intelligence Director to oversee
coordination among agencies.
4. Issues in Foreign Policy
National Security:
● Post-Cold War disarmament led to reduced nuclear tensions with Russia.
● Ongoing concerns include:
○ Proliferation of WMDs in countries like Iran and North Korea.
○ Use of preemption to justify military action (e.g., Iraq invasion in 2003).
● NATO has expanded its role, with newer members participating in the fight against
the Taliban.
International Economic Policy:
● Economic sanctions are a key tool.
○ Example: Post-Gulf War sanctions on Iraq aimed to prevent military rebuilding
but hurt civilians.
● Sanctions have been imposed on Iran and North Korea to deter nuclear programs.
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Environmental Issues:
● Environmental concerns have become integral to foreign policy:
○ Addressing the ozone layer and climate change (e.g., Kyoto Protocol,
rejected by the U.S. due to exemptions for developing nations).
○ Critics view the U.S. approach as unilateral.
5. Conclusion
● U.S. foreign policy reflects a balance of domestic priorities and international
challenges.
● Its evolution demonstrates adaptability in response to shifting global dynamics while
aiming to secure national interests.
