A country’s Foreign policy is the set of goals and strategies it pursues in its interactions with other countries, regions, and actors across the globe. It is a dynamic and evolving field that reflects the interests, values, and priorities of individual states and their interplay with the international system and its changing conditions and circumstances.
The term “foreign policy” encompasses a wide range of activities, from economic diplomacy to military interventions and everything in between. Whether it is soft or hard, each foreign policy reflects the state’s interests and preferences in the global arena. For example, a “hard” foreign policy might involve military intervention to coerce or control other countries, while a “soft” one might use cultural exchange or humanitarian aid to attract or persuade others.
While the concept of foreign policy is complex and varies between countries, there are some fundamental questions that have long shaped how it is carried out. For instance, idealists might argue that a nation’s foreign policy should reflect its internal values, while realists might contend that it is more effective to focus on a country’s basic economic and security interests in a given region or the world at large.
In an era of increased globalization, it is important that Americans understand the value of foreign trade, aid, and diplomatic engagement. Millennials in particular need to hear, in clear and accessible terms, that America’s participation in international security and humanitarian missions allows us to shape the rules of international trade and stand up for the world’s most vulnerable people when they are at risk of human rights abuse or natural disasters. And it is important to understand that a strong military is essential to these efforts.