The president can conduct foreign relations, Congress can only influence them. Foreign policy is defined as “A nation’s collective decisions about relations with other nations.” (Understanding American Politics, P 435). Key players determine and influence public policy, which usually affects domestic policy-decisions affecting citizens. Since 1945, major policy initiatives came from the White House. Every foreign policy is subjected to searching examination, it needs authorizations. The president usually operates through the National Security Council. The conductor of the daily functions of foreign policy is the Department of State. They play a major role and have several responsibilities such as making policy recommendations to the president.
…show more content…
They have the main responsibility for gathering information and coordinating intelligence operations in the federal government. During the cold war, their tasks were altered to the conduction of secrete political activities. Covert activities played a major role in 1962-1970. “Once the Central Intelligence Agency was established, it proved to be a great source of America’s information during the Cold War with the Soviet Union.” (Source #3). A recent effort of the CIA has been collecting intelligence on foreign terrorist groups. The Department of Defense (DOD) was established in 1947. They are responsible for creating military policy and maintaining armed forces. They have three organizations, which are all headed by civilian service secretary and a uniformed service chief. The Office of Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the separate armed services are the three organizations of the DOD. The defense secretary advises the president on critical military decision. The Joint Chiefs of Staff advise the president and secretary of defense on important military questions. Congress also plays a role by constraining force in foreign policy. They limit the president’s authority, which is important in a democratic government. Foreign policy has to go through several important process and is negotiated amongst all of the important players I mentioned. It is difficult to come to a conclusion because of the uneven responses in the government. Everyone has different opinions about what they think of a policy, so it is difficult to finally reach a
They have the main responsibility for gathering information and coordinating intelligence operations in the federal government. During the cold war, their tasks were altered to the conduction of secrete political activities. Covert activities played a major role in 1962-1970. “Once the Central Intelligence Agency was established, it proved to be a great source of America’s information during the Cold War with the Soviet Union.” (Source #3). A recent effort of the CIA has been collecting intelligence on foreign terrorist groups. The Department of Defense (DOD) was established in 1947. They are responsible for creating military policy and maintaining armed forces. They have three organizations, which are all headed by civilian service secretary and a uniformed service chief. The Office of Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the separate armed services are the three organizations of the DOD. The defense secretary advises the president on critical military decision. The Joint Chiefs of Staff advise the president and secretary of defense on important military questions. Congress also plays a role by constraining force in foreign policy. They limit the president’s authority, which is important in a democratic government. Foreign policy has to go through several important process and is negotiated amongst all of the important players I mentioned. It is difficult to come to a conclusion because of the uneven responses in the government. Everyone has different opinions about what they think of a policy, so it is difficult to finally reach a