Global and Domestic Impacts on U.S Foreign Policy

Introduction

The U.S foreign policy is at greater stake than ever before. The U.S president has a significant role to play but it is not final. However, I think the lack of leadership and hesitancy should have no place in the oval office. Although U.S foreign policy is not solely run by the President, he has a great function to ensure U.S Global leadership and domestic benefits. So far, we were missing it for the past eight years. Thus, and because of its complexity, I would like to discuss this topic in five stages.

First, how does the global political environment shape foreign policy?

Although U.S foreign policy has many elements to it, I think that world events have a direct impact on the course of foreign policy. Ushered the engagement on a global level was the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. (Rosati and Scott, 2013) In other words, U.S isn't isolated from the world. Here we see that what happens in Middle East, Europe or any strategic part of U.S interest will affect its foreign policy. Speaking about the global environment, the latest problems in the middle east and the rise of ISIS has pushed President Obama to step over his disengagement dogma and resend troops and established bases in places like Iraq and Syria. (Baker, Cooper, and Gordon, 2015) That is a clear manifest on how global environment shapes U.S foreign policy.

Second, how do US foreign policies shape daily lives of Americans?

To answer this question, we have to remember some historical facts. Although it is foreign policy, I think that it has a greater impact on our daily lives here at home. Back in 1973, Saudi Arabia had put an embargo on oil do to Arab- Israeli conflict. That had an enormous effect on Americans here at home. According to Koch in his article, 1973 oil embargo lessons live on,

“The five-month embargo quadrupled energy prices and pummeled the U.S. economy, causing consumers to wait hours in long, often angry lines at gas stations.” Although the event took place in the Middle East, its effect had been at every American gestation. The U.S foreign policy had played significant role lead by Henry Kissinger to end the embargo. Here, we see that U.S foreign policy can have a severe and direct impact on our daily lives. Also, during wars and national emergencies the individualism rights and tolerance for people who are questioning the government’s foreign policy or the status quo will be at the stake, and that will lead to liberty vs. security. (Rosati and Scott, 2013) Again, it is one of many ways of how U.S foreign policy can affect someone’s life.

Third, the president roles in foreign policy decision-making?

Although U.S foreign policy isn’t solely run by the President, he has a great function to ensure U.S Global leadership and domestic benefits. For he is the Head of state, Chief diplomat, Commander in Chief, Chief Executive, and Chief legislator. He nominates the secretary of state and ambassadors to countries around the world. He also receives foreign ambassadors and negotiates treaties. The President can also offer or withdraw official U.S diplomatic relational with other states, and or enter an executive agreement with other nations. For example, President Nixon in 1972 had led the American delegation to Moscow to complete the first Strategic Arms Limitation Talk (SALT). (Rosati, 2013) Here, the President did manifest a direct influential figure to the decision making of U.S foreign policy. Before WW II, the executive branch had more immediate and efficient way in developing and deciding the course of U.S foreign policy. That is not the case anymore. After the Vietnam war, this executive domination started to fade little by little. It became harder for the president to govern the foreign policy, according to Rosati text. For example, during the Cuban missiles crisis, President JFK had surrounded himself with a team of advisers to make the decision. (“Cuban missile crisis - John F. Kennedy presidential library & museum,” n.d.) Although JFK was not the only player, we saw that the President had played a significant role and avoided all the influence to arrive at the prudent discussion.

Fourth, what forces provide constraints to the fulfillment of these purposes?

Apparently that the President occupies an important role; however, he faces some limitations that make his job difficult. These are time, information, bureaucracy, Congress, state and local governments, political parties and finally interest groups and social movements. Time is a pivotal element for the Persistent. First, the President enters with traditional of policies and programs that controlled by the bureaucracy. Second, the President is heavily dependent on administration for its information. Third, members of the administration have the advantage of the time that the president does not have. Besides, the bureaucrats have a close relationship with Congress members, who ultimately must approve programs and funding. Thus, we see here that the President has limitations and obstacles already set. The next constraint is Congress. In fact, it can be tough to deal with if the President is unpopular and lack leadership. For example, since WWII, members of Congress have been more active on a domestic issue and less delaying on foreign policy but after Vietnam War the U.S government and the style of governing with the Republican president and a Democrat-run Congress, or vice versa making it very hard to deal with Congress. (Rosati, 2013) States and local governess are another factors to the equation of constraints. Each stat has its foreign economic policies. Thus, they are another factor to include when it comes to forming the economic policies of the U.S. (Rosati, 2013) Moreover; the Prescient has another constraint which is the political parties. For example, the President cannot force members of his party to support them in Congress because each congressional member has independent power bases. (Rosati, 2013) Thus, it is clear that the president has no absolute control over everything. A mighty prescient with sharp and courageous leadership can exercise his influence and starch the Constitution to its limits. Finally, the interest groups and social movement. They are active when it comes to the economy and domestic issues, but they started to engage in foreign policy issue lately. All that add to the complexity that the President has to face in making and fulfilling his roles. (Rosati, 2013)

Fifth, a historical example(s) of an event in which the President was forced to make a critical foreign policy decision, what limits did he have and what were the outcomes?

I think that history is rich with events and examples. I believe that a president must be sharp and ready to take actions when the reality calls; putting U.S interests and its long-time allies in his perspective. For example, President Bush responded to the Sep 11, 2001 terrorist attack with decisive action that showed to the world what U.S is. Moreover, he did respond to 2008 economic crisis leaving a legacy of policies and political consequences behind. (Rosati, 2013) Here we see the active leadership that sends a signal of confidence and readiness to its surrounding environment. Another example will be President Obama and his memorable words about Syria when he said that the use of chemical weapons is a red line to the U.S. Everyone knew what the red line meant, especially when it comes from the President himself. However, we end up with Russian soldiers on Syrian soil. Instead, the whole situation got even worst, and U.S foreign policy lost its reputation in the region. If I have to use a word, it will be leverage. A president has to be active and brave to lead during global events to ensure security and benefits to U.S. I think strong leaders can maximize their strength and capabilities and minimize the constraints. (Rosati, 2013) The entire world is looking at us to lead, so let’s lead.

Conclusion

Presidency is very dangerous Job. No matter how we approach it, it will always surround with complexity and interests. However, I think that strong president with bold vision and courage is a fundamental element to the success of government and foreign policy. The world is looking for our representatives and their ability to lead. If we give them anything less than that, our foreign policy will suffer. After all weak leaders will have difficulties exercising their power and have hazy govern. Thus, I will say that although the President does not solely run U.S foreign policy, he has a large function to ensure U.S Global leadership and domestic benefits.

References

Baker, P., Cooper, H. and Gordon, M.R. (2015) Obama looks at adding bases and troops in Iraq, to fight ISIS. Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/12/world/middleeast/iraq-isis-us-military-bases-martin-e-dempsey.html?partner=bloomberg

(Accessed: 20 August 2016).

Cuban missile crisis - john F. Kennedy presidential library & museum. Retrieved August 21, 2016, from https://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/JFK-in-History/Cuban-Missile-Crisis.aspx

Koch, W. (10/23/2013). USA today (arlington, va.): 1973 oil embargo lessons live on Gannett Co.

Rosati, J.A. and Scott, J.M. (2013) The politics of United States foreign policy. 6th edn. United States: Wadsworth Publishing Co.