Foreign policy is the decisions a country makes regarding its relations with other countries and international organizations. As the world’s most powerful military and largest economy, America has unique influence in global affairs, and its leaders’ choices can have consequences that affect people thousands of miles away.
A successful foreign policy deters aggression: alliances, defense pacts and credible diplomatic stances reduce the likelihood of military threats. It promotes economic and nuclear prosperity: bilateral and multilateral agreements lower barriers, increase market access, diversify exports and attract foreign investment. It provides humanitarian assistance: hundreds of billions of dollars in foreign aid are distributed each year to improve the living standards of citizens in developing countries, and to help them stabilize their governments. It safeguards citizens’ interests during a crisis: the United States responds quickly to natural disasters and terrorist attacks abroad.
Diplomacy is the central tool of a successful foreign policy: it seeks to identify common interests and values between nations and promote cooperative solutions. The United States maintains diplomatic relationships with some 190 countries, and its diplomats and other personnel at home and abroad make the nation’s foreign policies a reality.
The Constitution gives Congress some statutory powers in regard to foreign policy, but scholars note that historically presidents have accumulated the majority of the power in this area and overshadow Capitol Hill. They say that presidents enjoy a number of natural advantages over lawmakers when it comes to leading on foreign policy, including unity of office, capacity for secrecy and superior information.
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