14.1: Intro to Foreign Policy
What is the purpose of diplomacy + give a historical example
Working with foreign nations to create a peaceable solution to a conflict or disagreement, often as an alternative to military intervention or war
-Ben Franklin during Revolution
-RFK during Cuban Missile Crisis
Where does the CIA have jurisdiction (power) and what do they do?
Outside the US, gather intelligence on foreign powers and nations, counterterrorism, covert operations
President and VP of the US
Donald Trump, JD Vance
What is the United Nations (UN)?
Founded in 1945 to replace ineffective League of Nations, it is an International peacekeeping organization aiming to Maintain international peace and security, Protect human rights, Deliver humanitarian aid, Promote sustainable development, Uphold international law
Explain the Cold War policy of Containment (Truman Doctrine)
Interventionism, Entering into the affairs of foreign nations in the late 1940s and early 1950s to stop the spread of communism (Greece, Turkey, Iran, Korea)
What powers does the president have under the Constitution?
Negotiate treaties and exec. agreements, commander in chief of the armed forces, can deploy troops for a limited time with congressional approval coming later ('73 War powers resolution)
What is Soft Power + An example?
Influencing or 'pulling' other nations or people to side with or like the US using subtle means.
Ex: Hollywood movies and spread of US cultural ideals, educational exchange programs, economic and public diplomacy
Where does the FBI have jurisdiction (power) and what do they do?
Inside the US,
Terrorism, Counterintelligence, cybercrimes, white-collar crime, organized crime, interstate crime (across state borders)
FBI Director
Kash Patel
What is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)?
Originally created in 1949 as a deterrent to Soviet expansion, it is a Mutual Defense treaty between the US, Canada, and many Western and Central European nations to cooperate and defend each other militarily in case of attack
What kinds of things made America isolationist and hesistant to enter into WWI and WWII?
WWI and WWII were seen as Europe's distant problems that would not affect us until we were dragged into the wars by other nations' aggression (Germany in WWI, Japan in WWII)
How can Congress limit the power of the president or other branches?
What is Hard power + and example
Using tangible actions to ‘force’ another entity (pushing) like a country to do what we want them to do
EX: sanctions (Russia, Iran), military intervention (invasion, assassination, drone strikes)
Who makes treaties and who has to approve them, if anyone? How permanent are they?
President, 2/3 Senate approval, usually long-term/set in stone
Sec. of Defense
Pete Hegseth
What was NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) and its major criticism we discussed in class?
Pact between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico that eliminated most tariffs and trade barriers to encourage economic integration
Con: encouraged auto makers to move to Mexico for cheaper labor at the expense of American workers
What was the Monroe Doctrine (1823)?
Declared the Western Hemisphere closed to further European colonization and warned against European interference in the affairs of independent Latin American nations
How can the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) limit the power of the other branches?
Judicial review- interpreting the constitutionality of executive actions or laws passed
What is and what are some example of US military intervention?
The US getting involved militarily in a foreign conflict to achieve a goal or outcome, often when diplomacy has failed
Exs: WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, CIA covert ops (think assignment)
Who makes Executive Agreements (EAs) and who has to approve them, if anyone? How permanent are they?
Sec. of State
Marco Rubio
What plan, created by Trump in 2020, replaced NAFTA?
USMCA (US-Mex-Can Agreement), placed tighter restrictions on industries like automotive and dairy
In the late 1800s/early 1900s President McKinley (1897-1901) expanded American territories such as...
Cuba, Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico (Spanish-American War) and Hawaii (Annexation after queen overthrown)
Interventionist, Imperialist, Expansionist
What are Sanctions and their purpose?
Economic punishments (trade bans/embargoes, freezing assets or banking) imposed on a nation by a nation(s) or international organization to try to force a nation to do/stop doing something as an alternative to military intervention (Iran since '79, Russia since '22)
Think of the CIA intervention you chose for your assignment. Summarize the main points such as the 5 Ws
Depends on you
Who was recently fired as Attorney General?
Who is acting Attorney General as of 4/8/2026?
(x2 pts if both right)
Pam Bondi
Todd Blanche
What does NGO stand for?
Non-Governmental Organization
Often non-profit international organizations that work outside of government control/ownership
Isolationist, don't get involved in other countries' problems long term (like alliances) if it can be helped
There are 5 goals of American foreign policy we discussed in this section. Name as many as possible with relevant current or historical examples
National Security– Agencies like the NSA and NSC
Free and Open Trade– NAFTA, USMCA
Work for and Maintain World Peace - Member of UN and NATO
Promote the Spread of Democracy - CIA Cold War interventions, Containment
Provide aid to other countries from war, famine, natural disasters, and more - Aid to Israel, Ukraine, Haiti
What is the purpose of agencies like the National Security Admin (NSA)?
Executes intelligence gathering and cybersecurity, focuses on signals intelligence and defending national networks through information gathering
Ex: Reported info on Gulf of Tonkin (1964) that was manipulated to enter Vietnam War
CIA director
John Ratcliffe
What are operational NGOs + Example
Focus on implementing projects and providing services like healthcare, disaster relief, and education
EX: Red Cross, Doctors without borders
How did Teddy Roosevelt's 'Roosevelt Corollary' expand on the Monroe Doctrine?
TR was willing to use the military (Great White Fleet) to keep Europe out of the Western Hemisphere through military force-- Monroe Doctrine was more symbolic and not backed up by force
How are economics and politics tied?
Some resources are controlled by nations we are at odds with (Iran and oil) and in a globlized society, we depend on other nations for things (Taiwan and Processor Chips) that might put us at odds with other global powers (China/Taiwan) because of alliances
What is the purpose of agencies like the National Security Council (NSC)?
Advises the President on policy, coordinates foreign/military policy using gathered information from other agencies like the NSA
Exs: Cuban Missile Crisis, Raid on Bin Laden
Director of National Intelligence (DNI)
Tulsi Gabbard
What are advocacy NGOs + Example
Focus on lobbying, campaigning, and influencing policy to protect rights or promote specific causes like the passage of laws
EX: Amnesty international, Greenpeace
Explain the late Mid-Late Cold War policy of Realpolitik
Realism, Willingness to work with the USSR and China to reduce tensions (detente) while also supporting leaders/regimes that weren't perfect and sometimes obviously bad as long as they were anti-communist
What are examples of the US having to balance Human Rights (doing what's right) versus National Interest (what's best for the US)?
Iran (Oil versus oppression of people)
Ukraine and Israel (aiding a nation versus being American First)
China and Taiwan (Honoring alliances versus fighting the dragon that makes a lot of our stuff)