United States Foreign Policy Under the Bush Administration

Since the Unites States Revolutionary War with Britain in 1776, foreign policy has played an important role in American politics. Back then, the United States used foreign relations to secure a treaty with France and France entered in the war as an ally to help defeat the British. United States foreign policy is defined as "the course set at given times determining the relationships, policies, and actions of the United States with or toward other states and international entities." (Harbutt, 2003) Historically, foreign policy has tended to be "managerial in character and moralistic in tone, often expressing itself in congenially concise formulas." (Harbutt, 2003) This means that it usually is created for some moral good and is usually very similar in the way it is developed. Often it is a strict policy that is created and enforced by the United States.

The role of the President and the Senate in foreign policy formulation is directly spelled out in Article II Section II of the United States Constitution, "He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur." (Litz, Brannen, Shaw, Hanes, 2001) This states that the President along with advice from the Senate formulates treaties with other nations and it has to be approved by an overall two thirds vote by the Senate. However, the process of making foreign policy "is more heavily influenced by the President than is the passage of most statutes, which make policy in advance of action. The President can shape the circumstances in which issues of foreign policy come before Congress more often and more effectively than he can in dealing with issues of domestic policy." (Rostow, 2000) But to achieve a foreign policy, the President and Senate are forced to work together: "neither Congress nor the President can conduct foreign policy alone for long. Sooner or later, a President will need money, new statutes, or both. And, as presently constituted, Congress is incapable of conducting diplomacy or commanding the armed forces," therefore the history of American foreign policy is sometimes the history of a contentious and uneasy partnership between Congress and the President. (Rostow, 2000)

Foreign policy in the United States however, has completely changed because of the attacks on September 11^th. The Bush administration's foreign policy has transformed into one "that would deal with unfriendly regimes more decisively and, if necessary, unilaterally and forcefully." (Carter, 2005) This means that in the past, the United States were more content with sitting idly by and not publicly confront nations that are out to do harm. Now, we are forced to intervene when normally we wouldn't have, and call out nations that are a threat to global peace. One of the first nations publicly condemned was North Korea in a speech given by George Bush. He labeled North Korea, along with Iraq and Iran members of an "Axis of Evil." (Carter, 2005) We have already invaded Iraq, and now there are sanctions against Iran with talks of a possible war. Foreign policy has clearly and permanently shifted in the United States. We deal with threats much more seriously now than ever in our history.

One of the many foreign policies that were created during the current George W. Bush administration is a stronger military ally in Japan. The United States is currently cooperating with Japan in the development of a missile defense system that will be set up within Japan's border. This is the primary issue that will shape the two countries allegiance. (Auer, Lim, 2004) In a show of return support, Japan has "sent elements of its Self Defense Force to Iraq (thus far in non-combat roles) in support of the U.S. mission there." (Auer, Lim, 2004) The United States is, however, aligning itself with Japan for a much bigger reason- China. The key reason the U.S. has set up this allegiance is to rival China's dominance of East Asia. Japan gets protection from what they see as an "offending" China, but covers the missile system as a needed defense against a more threatening and unpredictable North Korea. (Auer, Lim, 2004) The situation with China, Japan, and North Korea is fascinating to see how International policies play out in today's post Cold-War, post September 11^th world.

It is very interesting and exciting to explore United States foreign policy in-depth. It is remarkable to witness how much this country has changed since September of 2001. Before that time, this country would, for the most part, not intervene unless it directly affected us, or there were serious human rights violations (such as Somalia in the Clinton era). Now, we preemptively strike nations before they directly threaten us with war. For our futures sake, I hope that the decisions we make now will help us in the long run. And as I found out, the United States has a policy on basically every single international conflict and problem. It was very insightful to read into our changing policies and how we deal with the world.

References: Harbutt, F (2003). Dictionary of American History. Foreign Policy. Page 424. Retrieved November 10^th, 2007 from GALE Virtual Reference Library.

Litz, Brannen, Shaw, Hanes (2001). Supreme Court Drama: Cases That Changed America. The Constitution of the United States. Article II Section II. Retrieved November 10^th, 2007 from GALE Virtual Reference Library.

Rostow, E (2000).Encyclopedia of the American Constitution. Congress and Foreign Policy.Pages 493-496. Retrieved November 10^th, 2007 from GALE Virtual Reference Library.

Carter, R (2005). Contemporary Cases In U.S. Foreign Policy. The Policy of George W. Bush. Pages 140-141. Congressional Quarterly Press, Washington D.C.

Auer, J and Lim, R (2004). American Foreign Policy 06/07. Japan: America's New South Korea?Page 61, 63. McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Learning Series, Dubuque, IA.