US Foreign Policy: Congress, Defense, Force Use

What is "America First" and who is it associated with?

A Trump-era foreign policy stance emphasizing nationalism, unilateralism, and skepticism toward alliances and international agreements.

What is the AUMF (Authorization for Use of Military Force)?

A 2001 law authorizing the president to use force against those responsible for 9/11, later used to justify broad counterterrorism actions globally.

What does Blowback refer to in foreign policy?

Unintended negative consequences of covert operations or interventions abroad, often harming U.S. interests later.

What is the Bureaucratic Politics Model?

A theory that foreign policy outcomes result from bargaining among competing bureaucratic agencies with different interests and perspectives.

What is the Casualty Aversion Hypothesis?

The idea that public support for military interventions drops sharply as U.S. casualties increase.

What is the CNN Effect?

The theory that real-time global media coverage (like CNN) can pressure governments into humanitarian interventions or immediate policy responses.

What is Coercive Diplomacy?

A strategy using threats or limited force to influence the behavior of other states without full-scale war.

What is Constructivism in IR theory?

A theory that emphasizes the role of ideas, norms, and identities in shaping state behavior and international outcomes.

What is the Democratic Peace Theory?

The theory that democracies are less likely to go to war with each other due to shared norms and institutional constraints.

What is Deterrence?

A strategy to prevent adversaries from taking unwanted actions by threatening credible and severe retaliation.

What is the Domino Theory?

A Cold War belief that if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would follow, justifying interventions like in Vietnam.

What is the Eisenhower Doctrine?

A 1957 U.S. policy promising military or economic aid to Middle Eastern countries resisting communism.

What is the Free Rider Problem in international relations?

When states benefit from collective goods (like security or trade) without contributing their fair share, relying on others (often the U.S.).

What is the role of the Goldwater-Nichols Act (1986)?

Legislation that reorganized the military chain of command and strengthened the role of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

What is Grand Strategy?

A state's overarching plan for using political, economic, and military power to achieve long-term national goals.

What is Hegemony?

Dominance of one state (like the U.S.) over others, either globally or within a region.

What is the "Iron Triangle" in U.S. foreign policy?

The policy-making relationship among Congress, the bureaucracy (e.g., Pentagon), and defense contractors.

What was the Monroe Doctrine (1823)?

A policy warning European powers against further colonization in the Americas; later invoked to justify U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere.

What is Multilateralism?

The practice of coordinating foreign policy with multiple countries, often through international institutions.

What is the National Security Council (NSC)?

A body within the Executive Office that advises the president on national security and coordinates interagency foreign policy efforts.

What is Neoconservatism?

A U.S. foreign policy ideology advocating democracy promotion and use of military power, especially prominent during the George W. Bush administration.

What is the Nixon Doctrine (1969)?

A policy stating the U.S. would provide support but not fight wars for allies, encouraging regional partners to take more responsibility.

What does Offshore Balancing mean?

A strategy where the U.S. minimizes direct military presence abroad and instead encourages allies to maintain regional balance.

What is the Powell Doctrine?

A principle that U.S. military force should be used only with clear objectives, overwhelming force, and strong public support.

What does Public Opinion mean in foreign policy?

The collective views of citizens on international issues, which can influence leaders and constrain policy choices.

What is Soft Power?

The ability to influence others through culture, values, and diplomacy rather than coercion.

What is the Two-Level Game theory?

A theory that leaders must simultaneously manage international negotiations and domestic political pressures.

What is the War Powers Resolution (1973)?

A law requiring the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops and limits military engagement to 60 days without approval.

What is the "Weapons of Mass Destruction" (WMD) concept?

Refers to nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons capable of causing massive casualties and destruction.

What is the role of the U.S. Senate in foreign policy?

It ratifies treaties and confirms top diplomatic and national security appointments, providing a check on the executive branch.

What does Unilateralism mean?

Acting independently in foreign affairs, often without seeking approval or support from other states or institutions.

What is the Liberal International Order (LIO)?

A post-WWII system led by the U.S. promoting open markets, democracy, multilateral institutions, and rules-based international cooperation.

What is the "Deep State" theory in U.S. politics?

The belief that unelected bureaucrats and military/intelligence officials secretly influence or resist elected officials’ foreign policies.

What is the significance of the 2002 National Security Strategy?

It introduced the Bush Doctrine, including preemptive war, unilateralism, and promoting democracy to combat terrorism.

What is the Military-Industrial Complex?

A term from Eisenhower warning about the political influence of defense contractors and the military establishment.

What is the "Liberal Hegemony" strategy?

A grand strategy of using U.S. power to spread liberal values like democracy, markets, and multilateralism worldwide.

What is the idea of Restraint in U.S. foreign policy?

A grand strategy advocating reduced military commitments abroad and focusing on defending core national interests.

What is the "American Exceptionalism" belief?

The idea that the U.S. has a unique mission to promote liberty and democracy globally due to its values and history.

What is the "Responsibility to Protect" (R2P)?

A global norm that states have a duty to prevent mass atrocities; used to justify humanitarian interventions.

What is the role of the Intelligence Community (IC)?

A group of 18 agencies, including the CIA and NSA, that collect and analyze information to inform national security decisions.

What is the principal-agent problem in foreign policy?

When leaders (principals) delegate to bureaucrats or allies (agents) who may act in their own interests instead of following orders.

What is the Overton Window?

The range of policies politically acceptable to the mainstream public, which can shift over time based on events or advocacy.

What is the role of Think Tanks in U.S. foreign policy?

They generate research, ideas, and expert commentary to influence policymakers and shape public debate.

What is the "Clash of Civilizations" thesis?

A post-Cold War theory by Samuel Huntington arguing that future conflicts will be between cultural and religious groups, not ideologies or states.

What is the "Security Dilemma"?

When one state's defensive actions make others feel threatened, leading to arms races or conflict escalation.

What is the role of the National Security Advisor?

A key White House aide who coordinates foreign policy and defense issues and advises the president, usually with significant influence.

What is "Smart Power"?

A combination of hard power and soft power strategies to achieve foreign policy goals effectively and efficiently.

What are the "Three Pillars" of U.S. national security strategy?

Defense, diplomacy, and development—seen as complementary tools of statecraft.

What is the Foreign Assistance Act (1961)?

A law that governs U.S. foreign aid, establishing programs like USAID and separating military and non-military aid.

What is the role of the CIA in foreign policy?

The Central Intelligence Agency gathers foreign intelligence, conducts covert operations, and informs decision-makers.

What is the "Fog of War"?

The uncertainty and confusion experienced by participants in conflict, making decision-making difficult.

What is "Peace through Strength"?

A belief that military power deters adversaries and secures peace, often associated with Reagan-era policy.