What ways do What ways do countries interact countries interact with each other?with each other?

The US and The US and the World: the World:

The Making The Making of US of US

Foreign Foreign PolicyPolicy

A nation (from the Latin for A nation (from the Latin for “birthplace”) is defined as a “birthplace”) is defined as a large group of people unified by large group of people unified by a common language or culture. a common language or culture.

Nationalism is the belief that Nationalism is the belief that people sharing national people sharing national characteristics should be able characteristics should be able to form their own independent to form their own independent state.state.

Modern nation-states were Modern nation-states were created to give people created to give people sharing a common language sharing a common language and cultural characteristics and cultural characteristics the right to govern the right to govern themselves as they choose. themselves as they choose.

Nations provide protection Nations provide protection against external threats.against external threats.

They ask their citizens to They ask their citizens to perform tasks, such as perform tasks, such as military service, in military service, in return. return.

The more powerful a The more powerful a nation’s military and nation’s military and economic power, the economic power, the more it can promote its more it can promote its own interests.own interests.

Throughout history, nations Throughout history, nations have formed in several ways. have formed in several ways. Some were established as a Some were established as a result of geographic result of geographic isolation, such as England. isolation, such as England.

Some were created as the Some were created as the result of emigration, such as result of emigration, such as the US. Others were created the US. Others were created from the breakup of larger from the breakup of larger empires (such as the post-empires (such as the post-Soviet states).Soviet states).

How do How do nations nations

interact with interact with one another?one another?

Nations interact on many Nations interact on many levels. levels.

Trade agreements allow Trade agreements allow businesses from different businesses from different nations to buy and sell their nations to buy and sell their goods and services with each goods and services with each other. other.

Trade can even bring Trade can even bring together nations which together nations which might ordinarily be might ordinarily be rivals because of rivals because of different social, different social, political, economic political, economic systems or historical systems or historical grievances.grievances.

Example is the US and Example is the US and China.China.

Nations also enter into formal Nations also enter into formal agreements, known as agreements, known as treaties.treaties.

Signed by political leaders or Signed by political leaders or their diplomatic their diplomatic representatives, treaties representatives, treaties reinforce friendly relations reinforce friendly relations and allow cooperation in and allow cooperation in different areasdifferent areas. .

Treaties can bring together Treaties can bring together nations in a number of nations in a number of different ways.different ways.

Some treaties are military Some treaties are military alliances, the signatory alliances, the signatory nations pledge to support nations pledge to support and defend each other in and defend each other in time of war.time of war.

The North Atlantic The North Atlantic Treaty Organization Treaty Organization (NATO) was formed in (NATO) was formed in 1949. 1949.

The US and its NATO The US and its NATO allies pledge to each allies pledge to each other that an attack on other that an attack on one is an attack on all.one is an attack on all.

The US also has defense The US also has defense agreements with Japan, agreements with Japan, South Korea, Australia, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and others.New Zealand, and others.

These nations often host These nations often host US bases, and in return, US bases, and in return, the US promises to the US promises to defend them.defend them.

What is the What is the significance of the US significance of the US having defense having defense agreements with so agreements with so many nations?many nations?

Nations also sign agreements Nations also sign agreements dealing with everything from dealing with everything from climate change to economic climate change to economic development.development.

The United Nations exists as a The United Nations exists as a place for nations to mediate place for nations to mediate disputes, discuss issues of disputes, discuss issues of importance to nations and importance to nations and come to agreements.come to agreements.

The Group of 8, or G8 holds The Group of 8, or G8 holds summit meetings of the summit meetings of the leaders of the world’s leaders of the world’s leading industrialized leading industrialized countries (the US, the UK, countries (the US, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan and Russia).Canada, Japan and Russia).

They meet annually to They meet annually to discuss economic issues.discuss economic issues.

Conflict Conflict Between Between NationsNations

Why do nations fight or go Why do nations fight or go to war with each other?to war with each other?

When, if ever, do you When, if ever, do you think war is think war is necessary/justified?necessary/justified?

Sometimes nations engage Sometimes nations engage in conflict with each other. in conflict with each other. There can be many reasons There can be many reasons for this.for this.

Different ideologies Different ideologies (political beliefs), religions, (political beliefs), religions, disputes over land, disputes over land, resources, etc. can all be resources, etc. can all be causes of conflict.causes of conflict.

Wars happen when one group Wars happen when one group of people or organization of people or organization perceives the benefits that perceives the benefits that can be obtained greater than can be obtained greater than the cost. This can happen for the cost. This can happen for a variety of reasons:a variety of reasons:

To protect national pride by To protect national pride by preventing the loss of preventing the loss of territory. territory.

To protect livelihood by To protect livelihood by preventing the loss of resources preventing the loss of resources or by declaring independence.or by declaring independence.

To inflict punishment on the To inflict punishment on the "wrong" doer, especially when "wrong" doer, especially when one country is perceived as one country is perceived as stronger than the other and can stronger than the other and can effectively deal out the effectively deal out the punishment.punishment.

Perhaps the greatest and Perhaps the greatest and most influential work in the most influential work in the philosophy of war is philosophy of war is On WarOn War by Carl von Clausewitz. by Carl von Clausewitz.

It combines observations on It combines observations on strategy with questions strategy with questions about human nature and the about human nature and the purpose of war. purpose of war.

Clausewitz concludes that war Clausewitz concludes that war is "politics by different is "politics by different means”.means”.

Meaning that when a nation Meaning that when a nation cannot accomplish its goals cannot accomplish its goals peacefully, it might turn peacefully, it might turn towards war.towards war.

Sources of Sources of conflictconflict

A border is a line marking A border is a line marking where the territory of one where the territory of one nation-state ends and another nation-state ends and another begins. begins.

Borders are clearly marked on Borders are clearly marked on maps, but those between maps, but those between friendly nations may often be friendly nations may often be unmarked on the ground. unmarked on the ground. Borders under dispute are Borders under dispute are often heavily guarded and have often heavily guarded and have strictly controlled border strictly controlled border crossings.crossings.

Nations often contest their Nations often contest their borders, because of the borders, because of the need for land and valuable need for land and valuable raw materials, such as oil, raw materials, such as oil, which are important to a which are important to a nation’s wealth. nation’s wealth.

Borders are often redrawn Borders are often redrawn as a result of wars.as a result of wars.

Sometimes people end Sometimes people end up on the wrong side of up on the wrong side of the border, such as in the border, such as in the former Yugoslavia.the former Yugoslavia.

In that war, Serbia In that war, Serbia attempted to conquer attempted to conquer neighboring areas where neighboring areas where Serbs lived.Serbs lived.

Wars can also happen when Wars can also happen when two groups who do not get two groups who do not get along live within the same along live within the same nation.nation.

Rwanda in Africa is an Rwanda in Africa is an example. Genocide occurred example. Genocide occurred there in 1994 when one tribe, there in 1994 when one tribe, the Hutu’s tried to wipe out the Hutu’s tried to wipe out another, the Tutsi’s.another, the Tutsi’s.

Nations fight over religion. Nations fight over religion. India (Hindu) and Pakistan India (Hindu) and Pakistan (Muslim) have fought four (Muslim) have fought four wars since 1949.wars since 1949.

Israel (Jewish) and its Muslim Israel (Jewish) and its Muslim neighbors have fought neighbors have fought numerous conflicts since 1948.numerous conflicts since 1948.

Who Makes Who Makes US Foreign US Foreign

Policy?Policy?

The primary force behind US The primary force behind US foreign policy is the foreign policy is the President, subject to the President, subject to the advice and consent role of the advice and consent role of the US Senate. US Senate.

He negotiates treaties with He negotiates treaties with foreign nations, but treaties foreign nations, but treaties enter into force only if enter into force only if ratified by two-thirds of the ratified by two-thirds of the Senate.Senate.

The President is also The President is also Commander in Chief of the Commander in Chief of the US Armed Forces, and has US Armed Forces, and has broad authority over the broad authority over the armed forces once they are armed forces once they are deployed.deployed.

However only Congress has However only Congress has authority to declare war.authority to declare war.

Also, the civilian and Also, the civilian and military budget is military budget is written by Congress.written by Congress.

Gives them much Gives them much influence over foreign influence over foreign policy, since they can policy, since they can choose not to fund choose not to fund programs they do not programs they do not like.like.

Congress also has Congress also has power to regulate power to regulate commerce with foreign commerce with foreign nations. nations.

This means they can This means they can choose to approve, or choose to approve, or not approve trade not approve trade agreements.agreements.

The Secretary of State, The Secretary of State, appointed by the president appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate and confirmed by the Senate is the chief foreign minister is the chief foreign minister of the USof the US

He or she is the primary He or she is the primary conductor of state-to-state conductor of state-to-state diplomacy. diplomacy.

The Secretary of State is the The Secretary of State is the head of the US Department of head of the US Department of State, concerned with foreign State, concerned with foreign affairs. affairs.

The Secretary is a member of The Secretary is a member of the President's Cabinet and the President's Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet the highest-ranking cabinet secretary in the line of secretary in the line of succession. succession.

The Secretary has many The Secretary has many powers, these include powers, these include negotiating with foreign negotiating with foreign representatives and representatives and instructing US embassies instructing US embassies abroad. abroad.

The Secretary also serves as a The Secretary also serves as a principal adviser to the principal adviser to the President on U.S. foreign President on U.S. foreign policy.policy.

On January 21, 2009, the On January 21, 2009, the Senate voted on whether to Senate voted on whether to approve Hillary Rodham approve Hillary Rodham Clinton as the next Clinton as the next Secretary of State. Secretary of State.

She was overwhelmingly She was overwhelmingly confirmed, 94-2. confirmed, 94-2.

Below the Secretary of Below the Secretary of State are all ambassadors State are all ambassadors to foreign nations.to foreign nations.

All are also appointed by All are also appointed by the President, and need the President, and need approval by the Senate. approval by the Senate.

A Brief History A Brief History of US Foreign of US Foreign

PolicyPolicy

Prior to the late 1800’s, the US Prior to the late 1800’s, the US was a regional power and was a regional power and negotiated or interacted with negotiated or interacted with other nations for the most part other nations for the most part only if they had interests in the only if they had interests in the Americas.Americas.

We also were isolationist, We also were isolationist, preferring to stay out of preferring to stay out of alliances and overseas conflicts.alliances and overseas conflicts.

In 1898, the US acquired In 1898, the US acquired overseas possessions after overseas possessions after defeating Spain.defeating Spain.

The US now had bases, The US now had bases, increased international increased international trade and began to trade and began to interact with other nations interact with other nations as a great power.as a great power.

It was in this role, as one of It was in this role, as one of many great powers (along with many great powers (along with European nations and Japan) European nations and Japan) that the US took part in World that the US took part in World Wars I and II.Wars I and II.

After World War II, Japan and After World War II, Japan and much of Europe were much of Europe were destroyed, while the US destroyed, while the US emerged stronger.emerged stronger.

The US became one of the The US became one of the world’s two superpowers (along world’s two superpowers (along with the Soviet Union). with the Soviet Union).

The terms came about because The terms came about because US economic, cultural and US economic, cultural and military power were unmatched, military power were unmatched, and its leadership of the rest of and its leadership of the rest of the world’s democracies the world’s democracies became unchallenged. became unchallenged.

From about 1947 until From about 1947 until 1991, US foreign policy was 1991, US foreign policy was dominated by the Cold War, dominated by the Cold War, and characterized by its and characterized by its huge international military huge international military presence and greater presence and greater diplomatic involvement. diplomatic involvement.

This was a reversal of This was a reversal of earlier isolationist policies.earlier isolationist policies.

The US defined a new policy The US defined a new policy called containment to oppose called containment to oppose the spread of communism. the spread of communism.

The Cold War was characterized The Cold War was characterized by a lack of global wars but a by a lack of global wars but a persistence of regional wars, persistence of regional wars, often fought between client often fought between client states and proxies of the US and states and proxies of the US and Soviet Union.Soviet Union.

During the Cold War, US During the Cold War, US foreign policy sought to limit foreign policy sought to limit Soviet influence.Soviet influence.

This involved the US in the This involved the US in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, as Korean and Vietnam Wars, as the US aided friendly South the US aided friendly South Korean and Vietnamese Korean and Vietnamese governments against governments against communist communist invasions/insurgencies.invasions/insurgencies.

The period was also characterized The period was also characterized by aid to anti-communist nations, by aid to anti-communist nations, and the attempted and actual and the attempted and actual overthrow of pro-communist overthrow of pro-communist governments around the world, governments around the world, some of them democratically some of them democratically elected.elected.

Later, the US aided anti-Soviet Later, the US aided anti-Soviet Mujahedeen forces in Mujahedeen forces in Afghanistan.Afghanistan.

By the time of the collapse By the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, of the Soviet Union in 1991, the U.S. had military and the U.S. had military and economic interests in every economic interests in every region of the globe. region of the globe.

During the 1990s, the US During the 1990s, the US mostly scaled back its mostly scaled back its foreign policy while focusing foreign policy while focusing on domestic prosperity. on domestic prosperity.

After the September 11, 2001 After the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and Center in New York City and Pentagon in Washington, D.C., Pentagon in Washington, D.C., the US has declared a "War on the US has declared a "War on Terrorism." Terrorism."

Since then, the US launched wars Since then, the US launched wars against Afghanistan and Iraq against Afghanistan and Iraq while pursuing Al-Qaeda and while pursuing Al-Qaeda and other militant organizations on a other militant organizations on a global level.global level.

In the latest presidential In the latest presidential campaign, the issue of campaign, the issue of direction for US foreign direction for US foreign policy became important.policy became important.

Barak Obama criticized Barak Obama criticized the Bush administration’s the Bush administration’s actions in Iraq, pledging actions in Iraq, pledging to withdraw, but continue to withdraw, but continue the war in Afghanistan.the war in Afghanistan.

US foreign policy now US foreign policy now appears to be on a new appears to be on a new track, with President track, with President Obama, pledging Obama, pledging diplomacy (talking, diplomacy (talking, negotiation with other negotiation with other nations) over conflict. nations) over conflict.

Many challenges remain Many challenges remain though.though.

It is unclear whether It is unclear whether nations like Iran, Syria nations like Iran, Syria and North Korea (who and North Korea (who we want to end their we want to end their nuclear programs and nuclear programs and support for terrorism) support for terrorism) will respond to the “soft will respond to the “soft power” of diplomacy.power” of diplomacy.