Tools of Foreign Policy

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

Understand how countries advocate for their national interests.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Explore how lying and spying inform policymaking.

Learn how countries influence others without coercion.

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

Questions to check your understanding.