Foreign policy is the broad set of goals and priorities that guide a state’s actions and interactions with other states and international actors. It encompasses a wide range of issues and actors, from the national interests and values of a country to its military strategy and diplomacy. A country’s foreign policy is also influenced by the policies and behavior of other states, its economic interests in global trade, and the power structure of the international system.
A country’s foreign policy reflects its beliefs, values, and goals in the world, and can help to advance its own interests or serve as a response to perceived threats to itself. Historically, foreign policy was defined by doctrines and treaties that guided diplomatic engagement and coercive measures like war. The Monroe Doctrine, for example, established Latin America as an American sphere of influence and rejected European colonization of the region.
Today, the focus of a country’s foreign policy is often on cooperation rather than conflict. Many Americans appreciate the importance of diplomacy, foreign aid, and economic engagement abroad. Polls indicate that millennials, for example, believe that peace is more important than the pursuit of military supremacy.
The Department of State pursues transformational diplomacy by advancing environmental stewardship and social development around the globe to foster a safer, more secure, and more hopeful world. It works with international partners to respond to pressing challenges including climate change, energy security, and nuclear proliferation. This work supports U.S. national interests, including our enduring democratic values and our commitment to international security.
