Foreign policy updates
The study of international relations and the political actions taken by nations to safeguard their national interests and achieve goals in global affairs. The term is also used to refer to the policies of non-state actors, such as terrorist groups and drug cartels. A government’s foreign policy may include diplomatic engagement, military intervention, and economic sanctions.
The Brookings Foreign Policy program is the leading center for high-quality, policy-relevant scholarship advancing actionable solutions to the world’s toughest problems. Our scholars conduct deep, in-depth research and analysis to inform policymakers and spark public debate and discussion of international issues.
A country’s ability to shape the world is determined by its political and economic strength, as well as its relations with other countries. Some states, like superpowers and great powers, have a pronounced influence over international events. Others, such as middle powers and small countries, have a more moderate impact. There are also institutions, such as think tanks and universities, that specialize in studying foreign policy. The Council on Foreign Relations in the United States and Chatham House in the UK are examples of such organizations.