Foreign Policy, Security, and Modern Warfare Vocabulary

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to foreign policy, interventionism, war, security, and modern global issues drawn from the lecture notes.

Administration

The executive branch or management of governmental affairs.

Shared response

Co-ordinated action taken together toward an issue.

To chart a clear course

To set out an explicit plan or direction.

Foreign policy

A government’s strategy in dealing with other nations.

To maximize

To make something as great or large as possible.

Benefit

An advantage or positive outcome.

Multilateral engagement

Co-operation that involves several countries.

Essential to

Being a vital or necessary part of something.

Common

Shared by all or by a group.

To meet standards

To satisfy established rules or criteria.

To rally

To gather or mobilise support or resources.

Global response

Worldwide action taken toward a problem.

Critical needs

Urgent or most important requirements.

In response to

As a reaction to something.

Natural disaster

A catastrophic event caused by nature, e.g., earthquake.

Earthquake

A sudden shaking of the ground caused by tectonic movements.

To declare a ceasefire

To announce an end to fighting.

Reluctant to do

Unwilling or hesitant to perform something.

To get involved in

To take part or participate in.

Détente

The easing of strained relations, especially between countries.

To de-escalate tensions

To reduce hostility or conflict.

Disarmament

The reduction or elimination of weapons.

To disarm

To remove or give up weapons.

Funding

Money provided for a particular purpose.

To fund

To provide financial support.

Equipment

The tools, machinery or gear needed for a task.

Local

Relating to a specific area or community.

To supply arms to

To provide weapons for someone.

Invasion

The forceful entry of armed forces into another country.

To invade

To enter a place by force with hostile intent.

Collapse

A sudden failure or breakdown.

To promote

To encourage or advance something.

To come to someone's aid

To help someone in need.

Criticism

The expression of disapproval or judgement.

To criticize

To point out faults or express disapproval.

To act in one's own interests

To behave for personal advantage.

To herald

To signal or announce something.

Herald a new era

To mark the beginning of a new period.

Terrorist attack

Violent action intended to instil fear for political aims.

Turning point

A moment when decisive change occurs.

Invulnerability

The state of being impossible to harm.

Invulnerable

Unable to be wounded or damaged.

Soil

Land or ground.

To respond

To reply or react.

To launch a war

To begin armed conflict.

On a domestic level

Within one's own country.

Interventionism

Policy of interfering in the affairs of other states.

Assistant Secretary of State

Senior U.S. Foreign Service official heading a bureau.

Affairs

Matters or activities, especially governmental.

Devastating

Causing great damage or distress.

Approach

A way of dealing with a situation.

To enunciate

To express or state clearly.

Issue

An important topic or problem for debate.

Task

A piece of work to be done.

Collective action

Joint effort by a group toward a common goal.

To go it alone

To act without help or partners.

To bear the burden

To carry responsibility or hardship.

To step up

To increase the intensity or amount of something.

Ally

A state or person that co-operates for mutual benefit.

Human dignity

The inherent worth and respect owed to every person.

To uphold

To maintain or support something.

Citizenship test

Examination assessing eligibility for naturalisation.

Citizenship

Legal status of belonging to a nation.

To welcome

To greet or receive hospitably.

Local community

The people living in a specific area.

Home-grown

Originating within the country, not imported.

Suicide bomber

Attacker who detonates explosives carried on their person.

To target

To direct action or attack toward someone.

Civilian

A person not in the armed forces.

Public transport

Buses, trains etc. available to the general public.

Failed attempt

An effort that did not succeed.

Community (ethnic)

Group of people sharing common identity.

Opposite effect

A result contrary to the intended one.

To keep apart

To separate people from each other.

To integrate into

To become part of a larger group or society.

Society

An organised community of people.

Core values

Fundamental beliefs that guide behaviour.

Mixed reactions

Varied positive and negative responses.

Isolationism

Policy of remaining apart from foreign affairs.

Speech

Formal talk delivered to an audience.

Congress

The U.S. legislative body of Senate and House.

Successor

A person who comes after another in a role.

Re-election

Act of being chosen again for office.

Slogan

A short memorable phrase used in politics or advertising.

Intervention

The act of interfering in another situation.

Policy

A course of action adopted by a government or organisation.

Isolation

State of being separated from others.

To vote against

To reject a proposal in an election or assembly.

To sign

To formally authorise a document.

Treaty of Versailles

1919 peace agreement ending World War I.

To join an organisation

To become a member of a group.

League of Nations

International body founded after WWI to promote peace.

Bombing

Attack with explosive devices dropped from air or planted.

Return to

The act of going back to a previous state.

To prevent something from happening

To stop an event before it occurs.

To retreat

To withdraw from confrontation.

United Nations

International organisation founded 1945 to maintain peace.

Era

A distinct period of time.

Threat

A declaration or indication of harm.

Committed to doing

Dedicated or obligated to carry out.