Foreign Policy Define The official positions and actions

Foreign Policy

Define The official positions and actions the US takes in its relationships with other countries

Responsi bility The president is responsible for making foreign policy decision

Options When making foreign policy decisions, the president can choose to 1) negotiate, 2) persuade, 3) apply economic pressure, and 4) threaten military intervention.

The tools The executive branch can use conventional diplomacy, foreign aid, economic sanctions, and military intervention to reach their foreign policy goals

Several Agencies in the Federal bureaucracy make play a key role in Foreign Policy

State Department Cabinet-level foreign relations agency headed by the Secretary of State, who is the presidents chief foreign policy advisor Who is in charge? – The Secretary of State (Rex Tillerson).

National Security Council ROLE: A group of Cabinet officials that advises the president on issues of national security. Who’s Included: Experts in diplomacy, military, law enforcement, etc.

Foreign Service ROLE: Part of the State Department that sends diplomats overseas to deal with other countries. What is a Diplomat? An ambassador who reps the U. S. in sovereign countries around the world.

Department of Defense A national department that supervises and coordinates all the operations of national security and the US military. The Secretary of Defense is in charge.

Central Intelligence Agency Role: A government agency that collects and analyzes information on foreign governments, corporation, and individuals Why is info important?

What are the goals of US Foreign Policy? Preserve Fulfilling a commitment to preserve a peaceful world (Ex. Involvement with United Nations, making agreements, using diplomacy) Promote Promoting democratic values (Ex. Protecting rights – speech, voting. . Speaking out against human rights violations. Protecting nations from aggression (Ex. Military intervention, preventing terrorist threats, UN)

Encourage Encouraging market-oriented economies and free trade (Ex. NAFTA – North American Free Trade Agreement. Safeguarding the global economy (Ex. Support free flowing trade – exports and imports, promotes cooperation between countries. Advance Advancing international cooperation (Ex. NATO, UN, cooperation between countries before decisions are made.

The Decisions Making foreign policy decisions requires balancing The Strategy competing of contradictory foreign policy goals Balancing National Security with promoting democratic values. (Banning Muslims in an attempt to combat ISIS is not democratic. 911 – Patriot Act

The result Effective foreign policy protects American interests and promotes national security

Foreign Policy Checks and Balances From Congress Only Congress can declare war and appropriate funds for military actions

From the Senate The Senate has the power to confirm ambassadors and ratify treaties

From the Courts The Supreme Court has the power to interpret treaties