Foreign policy is the set of strategies a government uses to achieve its objectives in a complex and uncertain world. It encompasses everything from diplomacy to military interventions to international organizations. It is not just about what to do but how to do it, and how to combine different approaches.
American policymakers face a broad range of challenges and competitions in the global realm, from combating terrorism to managing the spread of infectious diseases to managing regional conflicts. Some of these issues defy unilateral solutions, and the United States must build alliances with other countries to advance its interests.
Despite these difficulties, there are still many Americans who think that the United States should play an active role in world affairs. However, in a world of rising great power rivalry, the bipartisan consensus that shaped the foreign policies of previous administrations has fractured.
One view argues that America must revive its liberal world order, which relies on cooperation between allied states to manage global conflict and to promote democracy, peace, and economic progress. This approach contrasts with other views, such as isolationism and neutrality, which reject commitments to other countries and seek a state’s right to become belligerent in the event of an attack.
A recent survey found that Americans of all ages are divided on their priorities for foreign policy, but young adults are more likely than older Americans to prioritize limiting the power and influence of Russia and China and addressing climate change, as well as reducing the United States’ military commitments overseas and promoting and defending human rights in other countries. By contrast, older Democrats are more focused on supporting Ukraine, strengthening NATO, limiting Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and other parts of the world, and preventing the development of WMDs and curbing the spread of deadly diseases.