US Foreign Policy

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Baluchistan
Tel:081-2829324 Cell: 0312-9953336
website: www.anfal.com.pk
• “US foreign policy is war driven” Mushahid
Hussain Syed
• “US foreign policy, after World War II, is defined by
the subversion and overthrow of foreign regimes,
including parliamentary regimes, and the resort to
violence to destroy popular organizations that might
offer the majority of the population an opportunity
to enter the political arena”. Noam Chomsky
• “US undermines nationalism and promotes religious
nationalism” Noam Chomsky
 Foreign Policy of the United States
• The foreign policy of the US encompasses the
principles, goals, and strategies that guide the
nation's interactions with other countries and
international actors.
• It comprises diplomatic, economic, military,
and cultural aspects, reflecting the country's
interests, values, and global objectives.
Near GPO, Opposite T&T Colony, Circular road Quetta,
Baluchistan
Tel:081-2829324 Cell: 0312-9953336
website: www.anfal.com.pk
 Historical Background of U.S. Foreign
Policy
• Isolationism: - Historical Context: In the early
years after gaining independence, the U.S.
pursued a policy of avoiding entanglement in
European conflicts.
• Example: The Monroe Doctrine of 1823
asserted that European powers were prohibited
from engaging in further colonization in the
Americas.
• This established U.S. influence in the Western
Hemisphere and signaled a desire to protect
regional interests.
 World Wars and Cold War
• Historical Context: The U.S. emerged as a
global power after both World War II, becoming
increasingly involved in international affairs. –
• Example: The policy of containment during the
Cold War aimed to prevent the spread of
communism.
• The U.S. intervened in the Korean War (1950-
1953) to support South Korea against North
Korea and the Vietnam War (1955-1975) to
support South Vietnam against communist
forces.
Pentagon: Department of defense
 Post-Cold War Era
• Historical Context: With the collapse of the
Soviet Union, the U.S. became the world's sole
superpower, which influenced its foreign policy
outlook. –
• Example: The Global War on Terror was initiated
after the 9/11 attacks in 2001.
• The U.S. focused on counterterrorism efforts and
launched military interventions in Afghanistan and
Iraq.
• These actions were driven by national security
concerns and a perceived threat to American
interests.
 Major Determinants of U.S. Foreign Policy
• National Security: Defense and Military
Strategy.
• Example: The U.S. maintains a strong military
presence worldwide and forms defense alliances
like NATO to protect its national security
interests. Determinant: Intelligence and
Surveillance.
• Example: The U.S. gathers intelligence through
agencies such as the Central Intelligence
Agency (CIA) to monitor global threats and
assess potential risks to national security.
 Economic Interests
• Trade and Commerce
• Example: The U.S. negotiates trade
agreements like the North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA) and Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation APEC to expand
markets for its goods and services, reduce trade
barriers, and secure access to vital resources. -
Example: The U.S. promotes policies that
protect and encourage American investments
abroad, attract foreign investment into the U.S.,
and ensure the free flow of capital globally.
 Democracy and Human Rights
• Promotion of Democracy
• Example: The U.S. supports the spread of
democratic values and institutions globally
through diplomatic efforts, foreign aid, and
democracy assistance programs.
• Quadrilateral Security Dialogue Quad.
• Humanitarian Interventions
• Example: In cases of human rights abuses or
humanitarian crises, the U.S. may intervene
militarily or provide humanitarian aid to alleviate
suffering and promote stability.
 Regional Interests
• Security Alliances
• Example: The U.S. establishes and maintains
alliances such as NATO in Europe and AUKUS
in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Regional Conflicts
• Example: The U.S. may intervene or mediate in
regional conflicts to promote peace, protect its
allies, or safeguard strategic interests.
• For instance, U.S. involvement in the Israeli-
Palestinian conflict aims to facilitate a lasting
peace agreement.
 Department of State
• The Department of State is the oldest executive department
in the U.S. government and plays a pivotal role in foreign
policy formulation and implementation.
• It is headed by the Secretary of State, who serves as the
President's principal advisor on international affairs.
• The department has various responsibilities for different
geographic regions and functional areas, such as economic
affairs, political-military affairs, and human rights.
• The Department of State engages in diplomatic efforts,
conducts negotiations with foreign governments, and
represents U.S. interests in international organizations such
as the United Nations and NATO.
• It formulates policy positions on a range of issues,
including trade, human rights, nonproliferation, and
climate change.
 Department of State
• The department also operates embassies, consulates,
and diplomatic missions worldwide, serving as the
primary channel for diplomatic relations.
• Example: The Department of State played a central
role in negotiating the Iran Nuclear Deal, officially
known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
(JCPOA), in 2015.
• The agreement aimed to curb Iran's nuclear program in
exchange for sanctions relief.
• Through sustained diplomacy and negotiations
involving the Department of State, the United States,
along with other world powers, reached a
comprehensive agreement with Iran.
 National Security Council (NSC)
• The National Security Council is a key institution
that advises the President on matters related to
national security and foreign policy.
• It is chaired by the President and comprises senior
officials, including the Vice President, Secretary of
State, Secretary of Defense, and the National
Security Advisor.
• The NSC provides policy recommendations,
coordinates the work of different government
agencies, and facilitates decision-making on
critical national security issues.
• The NSC plays a vital role in crisis management,
conducting policy reviews, and developing
national security strategies.
 National Security Council NSC
• It also helps coordinate the efforts of various
departments and agencies involved in foreign policy
implementation, ensuring a coherent and coordinated
approach.
• Example: The NSC played a crucial role in
coordinating the U.S. response to the 9/11 terrorist
attacks.
• Following the attacks, the NSC worked with other
agencies to assess the threat, develop counterterrorism
strategies, and oversee military operations in
Afghanistan.
• It also played a crucial role in shaping the subsequent
invasion of Iraq, as the NSC advised the President on
the strategic aspects of the intervention.
 Department of Defense:
• The Department of Defense is responsible for providing
military forces to deter war, protect national security, and
support U.S. interests abroad.
• It is headed by the Secretary of Defense and encompasses
the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and various
defense agencies.
• While the primary focus of the DOD is on defense
matters, it plays a significant role in foreign policy
formulation, particularly in areas related to defense
cooperation, military alliances, and security assistance.
• Example: The DOD led the U.S. military intervention in
Libya in 2011.
• The Department of Defense's involvement showcased its
role in executing foreign policy decisions through
military means.
 Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
• The Central Intelligence Agency is an intelligence agency
responsible for gathering and analyzing information related to
national security issues.
• The CIA conducts covert operations, provides assessments and
analyses to policymakers, and supports U.S. foreign policy
objectives by providing intelligence support to diplomatic efforts
and military operations.
• The CIA collects intelligence through various means, including
human intelligence signals intelligence (intelligence derived from
electronic signals and systems used by foreign targets), and open-
source intelligence (a method of gathering information from
public or other open sources).
• It analyzes this information to provide policymakers with
assessments of foreign governments, terrorist threats, and global
trends.
 CIA
• Example: The CIA played a crucial role in the hunt for
Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the 9/11
attacks.
• Through intelligence operations, the CIA tracked down
bin Laden's whereabouts in Pakistan, leading to the
U.S. Special Forces raid on his compound in
Abbottabad in 2011.
• This operation, known as Operation Neptune Spear,
resulted in Bin Laden's death and demonstrated the
CIA's capabilities in supporting foreign policy
objectives through intelligence and covert action.
 Congress
• The Constitution grants Congress specific
powers in foreign affairs, including the
authority to declare war, approve treaties,
regulate international trade, and allocate
funds for foreign assistance.
• Congress involvement in foreign policy
varies depending on the issue and the level
of consensus among lawmakers.
Near GPO, Opposite T&T Colony, Circular road Quetta,
Baluchistan
Tel:081-2829324 Cell: 0312-9953336
website: www.anfal.com.pk
 Congress
• Example: Congress passed the Iraq War
Resolution in 2002, which authorized the use
of military force against Iraq.
• This legislation provided legal justification for
the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.
• The decision to go to war in Iraq was a
significant foreign policy action that involved
extensive debate and voting within Congress.
 Criticism of US foreign policy
• Interventionism and Military Interventions:
Critics argue that the United States has engaged in
military actions without adequate justification,
leading to unintended consequences and
destabilization in certain regions.
• Example: The 2003 invasion of Iraq led by the
U.S. and its coalition partners was highly
controversial.
• Critics argue that the intelligence used to justify
the invasion was flawed, and the subsequent
occupation and management of Iraq contributed to
instability and sectarian violence.
 Support for Authoritarian Regimes
• The US has often been criticized for supporting
and maintaining alliances with authoritarian
regimes for strategic and geopolitical reasons.
• Critics argue that this support undermines the
U.S.'s stated commitment to human rights and
democracy promotion.
• Example: The U.S. support for the Saudi Arabian
government has drawn significant criticism due to
concerns over human rights abuses and the Saudi-
led military intervention in Yemen.
• Critics argue that the U.S. has prioritized
geopolitical interests over human rights concerns
in its relationship with Saudi Arabia.
 Inconsistent Application of International
Law:
• Critics argue that U.S. foreign policy displays
inconsistency in its application of international law,
sometimes disregarding or selectively interpreting
international norms and treaties.
• This criticism is often leveled against actions that are
perceived as unilateral or in violation of international
law.
• Example: The U.S. withdrawal from the Paris
Agreement on climate change in 2017 drew criticism
from various countries and organizations.
• Critics argue that the withdrawal undermined global
efforts to address climate change and disregarded the
international consensus established by the agreement.
 Economic Interests and Neocolonialism
• Critics suggest that U.S. foreign policy is
sometimes driven by economic interests and
can be perceived as neocolonialist in nature.
• They argue that U.S. policies prioritize securing
access to resources, markets, and favorable
trade conditions, sometimes at the expense of
local economies and sovereignty.
 Thank You

Near GPO, Opposite T&T Colony, Circular road Quetta,

Baluchistan
Tel:081-2829324 Cell: 0312-9953336
website: www.anfal.com.pk