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Quote

  • If we are forced to fight, we must have the means and the determination to prevail or we will not have what it takes to secure the peace. – Ronald Reagan

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Presidential vs Congressional�Foreign Policy

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Foreign Policy Roles of the �President and Congress

Presidential Actions

  • Conduct war

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  • Make treaties and other international agreements
  • Appoint ambassadors and other top officials.
  • Decide the U.S.’s attitudes and strategies toward other nations. (Foreign Policy)

Congressional Actions

  • Declare war
  • Control spending
  • Approve treaties and confirm presidential nominations

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  • Pass laws or resolutions stating a specific policy.

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Foreign Policy Roles of the �President and Congress

  • War Powers
    • Only Congress can declare war
    • However the President can deploy troops in what is often referred to as “police actions.”
      • Usually used to provide aide and relief to people in crisis.
      • Sometimes used for small targeted military strikes.

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Foreign Policy Roles of the �President and Congress

  • War Powers Act
    • The President can not deploy the military for more than 60-90 days without Congressional consent or a declaration of war.
      • 60 days unless it would be unsafe to do so, then 90 days
      • This was a reaction to the undeclared war in Vietnam.

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The Making of American �Foreign Policy

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Department of State

  • Advises the president and acts as the nation’s chief diplomat (secretary)
  • Implements policy decisions
  • Conducts relations with other countries (embassies)
  • Administers foreign aid

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Department of Defense

  • Secretary of Defense
  • Joint Chiefs of Staff
  • They provide the military forces needed to deter war and to protect the security of our country
  • Their headquarters are at the Pentagon
  • Other organizations:
    • NSA, Homeland Security, & CIA

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National Security Agency (NSA)

  • Advises the president
  • Coordinates American military and foreign policy
  • Run by the National Security Council
    • President, Vice President, Secretary of State, and Secretary of Defense

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Homeland Security

  • Created after 9/11
  • Responsibilities:
    • Coordinates all federal agencies working against terrorism
    • Develops a national strategy to protect US from future attacks
  • Run by the Homeland Security Council
    • Attorney General, Directors of the FBI, CIA, and FEMA, and the Secretaries of Defense, Treasury, Transportation, and Health and Human Services

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Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

  • Collects information about foreign governments, corporations, and individuals
  • Advises public policymakers
  • Conducts covert operations and paramilitary actions
  • Exerts foreign political influence through its Special Activities Division