Foreign policy is a set of strategies and actions that a country employs in its interactions with the world. It encompasses a wide range of issues, from national security to economic benefit, with states establishing diplomatic relations with other countries and international organizations in order to manage and influence the global arena.
Over time, the rise and fall of civilizations, empires, and religions have shaped and transformed the world system and the actors in it, driving the development of foreign policies. These have included isolationism, a state’s intent to remain neutral in an armed conflict while maintaining the right to become belligerent; alliances, states committing themselves as allies in military and economic conflicts; and multilateral diplomacy, where groups of countries work together as allies in support of peace and/or security.
The United States, as a global leader and the greatest economic and military power, has a responsibility to help stabilize the world through diplomatic negotiations, development cooperation, humanitarian assistance, and more. These efforts are often challenging, requiring joining forces with reluctant allies and intransigent adversaries, concluding complicated trade agreements, and gaining the trust and cooperation of those nations that don’t share the same goals or interests.
Polls show that millennials, in particular, appreciate the benefits of cooperative engagement and restraint on the use of military force to address international disputes. Unfortunately, President Trump’s “America First” approach has weakened America’s leverage in these realms and is destabilizing the global economy, regional stability, and human security.