Instruments of US Foreign

Policy
Military
Economy
Diplomacy
NSC 68
 National Security Council a top level interagency
body that advises the president on foreign policy
matters presented a policy view in 1950, known as
NSC68.
 This document set in motion the militarization of
USFP and containment policy.
 It said “without superior aggregate military strength,
in being and readily mobilized, a policy of
containment ‘.. Is no more than a policy of bluff”
 As cold war ended some analysts recalling the NSC
68 as an example of successful strategic planning that
made US victory in the cold war possible
Military
 “Military power is an essential part of
diplomacy” Lawrence S. Eagleburger 1984
 “If we have to use force, it is because we are
America, we are the indispensible nation”
Madelein K Albright1998
 The logic of realpolitik encourages the practice of
coercive behavior abroad.
 Carter Doctrine, in 1980’s State of Union address
president Carter affirmed the determination of the
US to intervene in the Middle East militarily, if
necessary to safeguard American interests
 Prevention is a primary purpose of US
military might; to deter someone else’s
use of military power
 Kosovo, extreme application of coercion
to achieve political purposes that falls
somewhere between peace and war
 Campaign against terrorism
Intervention
 Maintenance of high military profile
abroad and displays of force-short-of-war
are two elements of interventionist thrust
of America’s FP posture
 Willingness to intervene in conflicts
within states is new intervention- Bosnia,
Somalia etc
 The use of troops for peacekeeping and
enforcement is key instrument underlying
new interventionism
 Vietnam syndrome, US feared that prolonged
involvement requiring substantial economic
costs and many casualties would undermine
support in Congress and public
 Compellence, NWs would not be used to
fight but rather to get others to do what they
might not do otherwise
 Massive retaliation: America willing and
able to carry out its threats
 Means of US FP- captured in themes of
military might and interventionism remain
durable pattern.
 In 1947 President Truman enunciated
Truman Doctrine: committing the US to
an active internationalist role in post WW-
II era
 Covert action, activities of US
government to influence political
economic or military conditions abroad
 Invasion of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs in
1961 as a way to eliminate problems
posed by Castro.
Economy: Foreign Assistance
without Coercion
 Another instrument of extreme global influence
short of military intervention is foreign assistance,
both economic and military
 Since WW-II US has provided nearly 3 in 50
billion US dollars in foreign economic aid-loans
and grants
 Purpose and programs
◦ Economic support fund-granted or loaned to countries
of special political significance
◦ Food for peace program- expand exports of US to
combat hunger and malnutrition
◦ Development assistance- grants for economic
development
 Foreign military grants
◦ Enhancing ability of US security partners to
deter and defend against aggression
◦ Maintain cohesion and strength of partners
◦ Military to military relation
◦ Promoting regional stability
◦ Access to military bases and facilities abroad
◦ Support for emerging democracies
Sanctions: Coercion without
intervention?
 Deliberate government actions to inflict
economic deprivation on a target state
through limitation or cessation of
customary economic relations.
 New instrument of FP
 Effectiveness and victims of sanctions:
Iran, North Korea etc
Diplomacy
 The art and practice of conducting negotiations
between nations or skill in handling affairs
without arousing hostility
 Another instrument of USFP qualitatively
different than interventions through clandestine
intelligence operations, economic and military
assistance programs and sanctions on which US
has relied to exercise influence over others
 Public Diplomacy: a polite term for what many
would regard as straightforward propaganda.
 It seeks to inculcate others with American values,
promotes mutual understanding between US and
other societies
 US advisory commission on public
diplomacy concluded “it will take several
years before public diplomacy becomes an
acceptable cone in the department and is
recognized for the value it brings to USFP
goals and objectives?”
 US diplomacy achieved its goals/
protected National interets?