A state’s foreign policy is a comprehensive approach to interactions with other states. It includes a broad range of activities, including developing military alliances, negotiating trade agreements, providing humanitarian aid, and using soft power to shape relationships and international norms. Foreign policy is a vital aspect of global affairs and affects the interests, values, and aspirations of both states and non-state actors. The United States has an outsized influence in the world because of its size and economy, and decisions made in Washington often have global implications.
The United States must continue to prioritize promoting democracy and human rights abroad, addressing global climate change, and strengthening multilateral institutions such as the UN, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. We must also continue to stand up against Iran’s defiance of international norms and pursuit of nuclear weapons, as well as support for militant groups that threaten global stability. In a time of democratic backsliding and increasing authoritarianism, we must embrace diplomacy to build bridges and bring parties together to end hostilities.
Although millennials are more critical of the need for foreign aid than older Americans, they appear to recognize that it is important for America to remain committed to economic cooperation with allies and those countries that view us as a source of growth. They support the idea of a global partnership for peace and prosperity and are supportive of missions that provide humanitarian assistance. We must also continue to invest in our military, which provides a vital platform for advancing our national interests and global leadership.
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