Learn about the various ways countries influence one another.

What Tools Do Foreign Policymakers Have at Their Disposal?

Learn how leaders use political, economic, and military measures to further their countries’ interests.

Video video 4:30

What Is Diplomacy?

Understand how countries advocate for their national interests.

Infographic infographic

What Are Economic Sanctions?

Learn how countries use punitive economic measures to advance their foreign policy priorities.

Infographic infographic

What Is Economic Statecraft?

Learn why China lends billions of dollars each year and the implications for recipient countries.

Chart chart

What Is Trade Policy?

Explore how countries leverage their economic power to advance their national interests.

Chart chart

What Is Armed Force?

Learn how countries pursue their foreign policy objectives through military action.

Map map

What Is Deterrence?

Learn how countries dissuade bad behavior with the threat of significant punishment.

Infographic infographic

What Is Arms Control?

Learn how countries try to regulate the world’s most powerful weapons.

Photo photo

What Is Nation-Building?

Developing political, economic, security, and social institutions across borders is a complex business.

Video video 4:32

What Is Peacekeeping?

Learn how the United Nations helps countries transition out of war.

Photo photo

What Is Intelligence?

Explore how lying and spying inform policymaking.

Infographic infographic

What Is Soft Power?

Learn how countries influence others without coercion.

Photo photo

How Do Countries Select Their Foreign Policy Tools?

Explore how American policymakers have used different tools over the past century of relations with Japan.

Video video 7:28

Tools of Foreign Policy Module Assessment

Questions to check your understanding.

Interactive interactive