What is Foreign Policy?

A legal assistant at Colvin & Hallett in Seattle, Noah Genatossio graduated from the University of Washington with an undergraduate degree in political science and has worked in various fields over the years. Noah Genatossio’s professional interests include foreign policy.

Foreign policy refers to a country or state entity’s activities and objectives concerning its interactions with other nations, political entities, and non-state actors. These policies primarily protect the country’s national interests, which its government can carry out through diplomatic or aggressive means. A country’s foreign minister, head of government, or equivalent party is responsible for making foreign policy decisions. They also meet with the leaders of other countries to resolve international issues through diplomacy.

Furthermore, decision-makers usually structure foreign policies to support their country’s main goals, such as economic, social, and political agendas. Some objectives might include maintaining global security, fostering world peace, promoting human-rights principles, enhancing foreign trade, or cultivating a balance of power among nations.