American Foreign Affairs/Policy

What is IT?

Foreign affairs are the nations interacting and relationships with other countries.

It has evolved significantly over the USA’s 235 year history.

Isolationism-American policy of staying out of foreign affairs. Not practical or possible today

Following World War II the United States emerged as the richest, strongest nation in the world. In order to maintain that status, it needed to be engaged globally to maintain that status and fight off rivals and threats

President of the United States-Commander in Chief

The Executive

The head of the executive is the President. The modern Presidency has many roles, one

which includes steering the “ship of state” in foreign affairs

The President in Chief Diplomat and commander in chief

He depends on a numerous deputies to help him make the best decisions.

The State Department

FORMER Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Current Secretary of State-John F. Kerry

The State Department

Headed by Secretary of State Helps the President with foreign affairs The President appoints the nominee to lead

“state” and the senate confirms Located in neighborhood of “Foggy Bottom” in

Washington, DC

The Secretary of State

The most important cabinet position Thomas Jefferson was the first Sec of State Others have been Madeline Albright, Colin

Powell, Condolezza Rice, Henry Kissinger The are in charge of all issues within the

Department of State

Departments within “state”

Ambassadors-an official representative of the USA appointed by the President to represent the USA in another country.

An AWESOME job They serve in what’s called an “Embassy.” 180 American Embassy’s globally and about

120 Consular Offices They encourage trade, advise people how to

get into the USA, help Americans in that country, and gather intelligence

The Foreign Service

6000 Americans serve in Embassy’s throughout the USA

Very difficult to be accepted You move to your country assignment for a

few years, learn language, culture Then off to another country You work and help run embassy The Right of Legation-the right to send and

receive diplomats

Passports

The State department also issues passports You MUST have a passport to leave the USA

and to enter another nation A passport entitles the bearer to be allowed

into another country, usually Often times you’ll need a travel visa to enter

another country, in addition to passport

Visa

Diplomatic Immunity

If you are an American travelling abroad you MUST, MUST follow the laws of the nation you are visiting. Your American rights don’t count. Unless…..

Granted to diplomats (ambassador, foreign service officer, their families)

This means they may not be taxed, arrested, sued You are there in good faith so you cannot commit crimes If you do…you’re considered “Persona Non Grata” and expelled

from the country The land, offices, anything within an Embassy is considered

sovereign territory of that nation. For example, the Embassy and grounds of the US Embassy in

Beijing, China is considered American territory and vice versa