Foreign policy is the articulation of how, why, and when the United States should engage with the world to advance its interests. It involves the use of force, diplomacy, aid, and other tools to promote trade and democracy, to counter terrorism and nuclear proliferation, and to resolve disputes that threaten global stability.
The United States has unique power to shape the global order. Its military reach extends to every part of the globe, its economic prowess fuels world trade, and its cultural appeal bolsters international institutions. The challenge is to transform this unquestioned power into influence without creating resentment among America’s allies, as is happening in Europe.
Achieving this goal will require the United States to lead as well as listen, to give as well as take. To avoid a dangerous rise in global temperatures, for example, it will be necessary to embrace the Paris climate agreement, which all countries must join. It will also be necessary to continue to promote market democracies, even in the face of increasing authoritarian challenges such as Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and China’s economic rise.
Most Americans think the government should prioritize supporting Israel, preventing Russia’s expansion in Europe, and helping developing countries become more stable. However, priorities are not aligned across party lines: Republicans prioritize support for Israel more than Democrats do; whereas many liberals and conservatives favor providing military assistance to Ukraine. These differences illustrate the importance of educating the public about the broad scope of foreign policy issues.
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