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WHAT IS FOREIGN POLICY?

Foreign policy is the way one nation deals with other nations. The country adopts a foreign policy tailored to that specific country to define what goals it hopes to reach.

The way one nation associates with another has a profound affect on the way other countries see that country.

HOW CAN THE PRESIDENT MAKE FOREIGN POLICY?1.) The President can make foreign policy by his/her response

to a foreign event.

Foreign policy can be determined by how the President reacts to a foreign event, such as the Greek Debt Crisis. The President (and numerous other countries) banded together to help Greece get out of debt. The hope the President has by establishing this as foreign policy is that America would be treated the same way if the debt crisis becomes too large to handle.

2.) The President can make foreign policy by his/her proposals for legislation.

Foreign policy can be tremendously affected by legislation. One such example of legislation that affected foreign policy is the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). By establishing this legislation, Clinton set the precedent for free trade among countries, hoping many other countries would follow suit, allowing free trade for almost everyone.

1.) Congress can make foreign policy by using congressional oversight.

Congress can investigate the Executive Branches’ foreign policy by holding hearings and investigations. Making these hearing or investigations public can sway public opinion on the matter and nearly force the Executive Branch to react.

2.) Congress can make foreign policy by implementing Legislative Directives.

Congress initiates legislation to start a new program or direct the Executive Branch to perform certain activities. In 1997 and 1998, Congress held a big role in promoting legislation to battle religious discrimination on a global scale.

HOW CAN CONGRESS MAKE FOREIGN POLICY?

THE MARSHALL PLAN

The Marshall Plan was proposed by Secretary of State George C. Marshall. He detailed his plan to a graduating class at Harvard due to the aftermath of WWII. Marshall proposed that the U.S. should provide economic support to European countries affected by WWII. It provided assistance to 16 European countries and required over 13 million dollars in aid.

The Marshall Plan is one of the most important pieces of legislation to foreign policy not only to the United States, but for the entire world because it required a joint effort between America and Europe. It allowed the world to see that when working together, much more can be achieved. The overall benefit from the Marshall Plan was, and still is, tremendous to the world.

NATO (NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATIONNATO promotes:

Democratic Ideals

Peaceful Resolutions

Consultations on Defense

NATO affects Foreign Policy by determining how other countries handle specific situations that need attention.

Current Issues:

The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) is still currently in Afghanistan. The ISAF is in Afghanistan to promote a democratically conducive environment. Beginning in 2014, the responsibility will shift from the ISAF to Afghan police forces.

UNITED NATIONS (UN)

The United Nations was established after WWII in order to:

“maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations and promote social progress, better living standards, and human rights.”

The UN affects foreign policy by determining how other countries respond to needs.

Current Issues:

The United Nations Mission in Libya (UNMIL) is currently located in Libya making sure that the Libyan government complies to the ceasefire agreement and the peace-attaining process. They are also ensuring the safety of civilians, contributing to human rights activities, and retraining military and police forces.

WORLD HUNGER ORGANIZATIONS

World Hunger Organizations:

Help combat world hunger by educating people about world hunger, donating food to countries in need, and forming alliances between countries to defeat world hunger.

World hunger organizations affect foreign policy by uniting countries for one common goal. The countries are able to set aside differences for the common good.

Current Issues:

Efforts are being set forth in Sudan, Somalia, Haiti, Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan, and many other countries to combat hunger and work towards sustainable food sources.

HOW DOES FOREIGN POLICY AFFECT ME?Foreign policy has both negative and positive effects on our

lives, and affects us in multiple ways.

One way that foreign policy affects the average citizen is by gas prices. How? The United States forms relationships, good or bad, with countries in the Middle East which make up a group called the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). These countries altogether control the price of oil, which in turn is made into gas. If the US forms bad policy with many of these countries, then oil prices will go up and gas will be more expensive. If they form good policy, prices may go down or remain the same, keeping gas cheaper. While this is only one effect on our daily lives, there are many more.

REFERENCE

Google.com (Pictures)

http://fpc.state.gov/6172.htm (Assorted information)

http://usinfo.org/enus/government/forpolicy/pam-int.html (Marshall Plan)

http://www.nato.int/nato-welcome/index.html (NATO)

http://www.un.org/en/aboutun/index.shtml (UN)

http://www.worldhunger.org/ (World Hunger Organizations)

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/mideast/questions/uspolicy/index.html