United States Foreign policy incorporates the defense of nation, world peace and promoting economic and social welfare, and since 1945 the United States has served to promote and maintain all of these goals by implementing various reforms and strategies.
In terms of the United States defense against attack, the consensus is the stronger the military force the better the defense, however in this case the country with the “bigger stick” has the potential for Armageddon. For example, North Korea continues to build-up its nuclear capacity and in 2012 launched a long-range rocket, thus initiating sanctions from both the United States and the United Nations. In 2015 Korea completed the test firing of a ballistic missile, potentially a direct threat to the United States, substantiating that sanctions do little to prevent military testing of lethal missiles. (King, 281) Another example, illustrates that the defense of United States extends to its overseas citizens, was displayed when forty Americans were killed in 1986 in the bombing of a West Berlin discotheque; within days the Ronald Reagan administration took direct action with an air-raid on Libya. Opinions regarding the success of retribution is still in dispute.
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In an effort to maintain world peace the United States and Russian Federation met on February 5, 2011 to implement a treaty called “Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms”, (START) with a goal to reducing international strategic arms. (“New START”, n.p.). At this moment the overarching ideal has been met as current inspections have not revealed any opposition or non-conformance, thus far this can be called a success. Additionally, the U.S. has provided economic aid to Egypt dating back to the 1940s, and as of 2015 this totals $76 billion in bilateral aid…including $1.3 billion annually for military aid since 1987, (Sharp, n.p.). While the justification for this continued support is based upon the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty, these benefits will be reassessed to substantiate the relative value, simply if the benefits outweigh the expense, and if so it will be deemed a success.
One measure to promote economic and social welfare in other countries was successful with the inception of “Transformational Diplomacy” first promoted by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in 2006. The goal, to more properly allocate U.S. diplomats to regions with critical social and political issues, and make them “capable of helping foreign citizens to strengthen the rule of law, to start businesses, to improve health and to reform education.” (Rice, n.p.) Success stories include assistance to Columbia in establishing a more peaceful government directly benefiting its citizens. Also promoting social welfare is the Health Programs such as the plan for AIDs relief and the eradication of polio.
Another example of U.S. foreign policy promoting economic growth was the Marshall Plan. In March 1948 Congress approved funding to help Western Europe recover from the financial devastation of World War II; it would eventually reach over $12 billion dollars. (“Marshall” n.p.) While direct financial success of this plan is debated by economists the true success of this program is that it predicated the idea of the United States providing foreign aid and the development of these programs as a part of foreign policy.
- Kang, Kyungkook, and Jacek Kugler. “Assessment of Deterrence and Missile Defense in East Asia: A Power Transition Perspective.” International Area Studies Review 18.3 (2015):
280-96. Ias.sagepub.com. SAGE, 20 Aug. 2015. Web. 1 May 2016. - Rice, Condoleezza. “Transformational Diplomacy.” Transformational Diplomacy. Georgetown University, Washington D.C. 18 Jan. 2006. 2001-2009.state.gov. Web. 1 May 2016.
- Sharp, Jeremy M. “Egypt: Background and U.S. Relations.” Congressional Research Service 26.102 (2016): 266-77. Fas.org. 25 Feb. 2016. Web. 1 May 2016.
- “Marshall Plan, 1948 – 1945–1952 – Milestones – Office of the Historian.” history.state.gov.
Office of the Historian/Bureau of Public Affairs, n.d. Web. 01 May 2016. - “New START.” U.S. Department of State. U.S. Department of State, 21 Apr. 2016. Web.
01 May 2016.
