U.S. Foreign Relations: Foreign Affairs Online
Effective U.S. foreign relations and policy are essential in maintaining peace and economic prosperity on a global scale. The findingDulcinea U.S. Foreign Relations Web Guide outlines some of the major organizations that facilitate international relations, including American foreign affairs organizations and those around the world. In addition, this Web Guide links you to important information regarding foreign policy, news and more.
Expand All Guide SectionsHistory of U.S. Foreign Policy
In order to have the most complete perspective possible on this subject, it’s essential to examine the history of U.S. foreign affairs. Reading about current policy and news provides only part of the story; many of today’s most volatile conflicts began years ago. In addition, understanding how the U.S. handled matters of foreign policy in the past illuminates many of the conflicts and decisions made today.
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- “US Foreign Policy in World History” by David Ryan offers more information on the history of the U.S. role in international relations.
- If you’d like to inform yourself about U.S. foreign relations with a specific country, the “Regions” sections offered by the Foreign Policy Association and the Council on Foreign Relations are good places to start. For basic country information, use the CIA World Factbook.
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For resources with an American perspective…
The University of Michigan Library Documents Center
provides articles by a number of international agencies. Scroll down for UN publications that illustrate the role of the U.S. in foreign policy decisions from the 1960s onward. The “Treaties” section near the bottom of the page provides links to documentation of treaties the U.S. has signed.
The National Archives
collects valuable historical documents and data regarding U.S. history. Go to “State Department and Diplomacy” to look up international relations documents. For more information on how to use this vast archive, visit “Start Your Research.”
For resources with a global perspective…
The Library of Congress
presents the “International Collections,” a collection of books and articles detailing the history of other countries and global perspectives on policy, diplomacy, economics, culture and more.
The International Documents Collection
at Northwestern University Library offers an extensive index of international organizations that promote healthy foreign policy, economic stability and human rights. Check out the “Resources” area to learn about groups operating in countries all over the world.
U.S. Foreign Policy Organizations
The following sites represent some of the major governing bodies that determine U.S. foreign policy. Although there are many groups and departments within the U.S. government that address foreign affairs, these are among the most prominent and internationally recognized. This section also features groups working toward specific global initiatives, such as U.S. trade and international peacekeeping.
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- For a broader overview of global and U.S. policy, visit findingDulcinea’s Web Guides to Politics and International Politics.
- There are thousands of nonprofit organizations working to strengthen U.S. foreign policy and international relations. Go to the “Global Issues: UN & Partnerships” page on the United Nations Web site to see what groups exist. Or try Amnesty International and idealist.org to learn about global outreach efforts and to get involved.
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For U.S. government resources…
The U.S. Department of State
covers all matters of U.S. foreign policy. Read how the Department deals with pressing global conflicts, worldwide economic affairs and international human rights issues. See country profiles, including information on Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Pakistan and Sudan. You’ll also find “Popular Topics” covering international issues like Civil Nuclear Cooperation, Climate Change, Foreign Assistance, Narcotics and more.
The House Committee on Foreign Affairs
is part of the U.S. House of Representatives. The “Oversight” section outlines the committee’s agenda, detailing the major issues it plans to review, including U.S. relations abroad. Go to “Members” to see the Committee representatives, or visit “Weekly Schedule” to browse the current agenda.
For U.S. foreign relations agencies with humanitarian goals…
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
assists people abroad who struggle to recover from financial, environmental or humanitarian crises. The organization currently provides aid to Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Near East, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe and Eurasia (click any region’s name for a full profile). Visit “Our Work” to learn about USAID’s specific initiatives.
The United States Institute of Peace
is an independent, nonpartisan organization funded by Congress. The goal of the organization is to promote peace through the prevention and resolution of global conflict.
For U.S. foreign relations agencies with economic incentives…
United States Trade and Development Agency
advances U.S. economic interests abroad. The organization focuses on developing and middle income countries. Scroll down the page to “USTDA Program & Activities” to learn which countries the organization works with. For explanations of how the agency operates, download the PDFs under “Quick Links.”
The United States International Trade Commission
regulates overseas trade agreements between the United States and international markets. Use this site to get technical, detailed analyses about the performance of various industries. Visit “Ongoing Investigations” or “Research & Analysis” for global economic data that provides a detailed look at international trade.
International Organizations Involved in U.S. Foreign Policy
The United States works with a number of international organizations to preserve peace and economic stability worldwide. Many of these groups were established in the wake of World War II, when U.S. interests and priorities shifted with transforming global politics. The following sites highlight U.S. allies, and the governing bodies that create and maintain stability and justice on a global scale.
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- Obviously, global organizations that don’t include the United States can still have a significant effect on U.S. foreign policy. One such group is OPEC. (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) To learn more about the alliance of oil-exporting countries, read “Managing the Oil Wealth: OPEC’s Windfalls and Pitfalls” by Jahangir Amuzegar.
- For books that cover international organizations that include the United States as a member, try “NATO Divided, NATO United: The Evolution of an Alliance” by Lawrence S. Kaplan, or “An Insider’s Guide to the UN” by Linda Fasulo.
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For general international organizations…
The United Nations
is an organization of global leaders who come together to promote peacekeeping and humanitarian aid worldwide. Go to “About the United Nations” for detailed information on UN history and initiatives. Or visit the “UN News Centre” to see how UN efforts are applied.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
, established by 26 North American and European countries, pledges to uphold the North Atlantic Treaty, signed in 1949. Visit “The North Atlantic Treaty” page to read more about why the alliance was founded. Or see “NATO Topics” for current coverage of NATO’s ongoing issues.
For groups preserving international justice…
The International Court of Justice (ICJ)
settles legal disputes between United Nations Member States in accordance with international law. The court also gives advisory opinions on legal issues concerning UN Member States. The Court Web site publishes its latest decisions and recent press releases.
For global financial institutions and international trade…
The World Bank
is a global enterprise that helps developing countries around the world. To learn about its two major branches, visit the “About Us” section and click on the “International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)” and “International Development Association (IDA)” links.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
is a group of 185 countries that seeks to promote economic stability worldwide. In instances where individual countries need financial assistance, the bank steps in to ease the strains of debt and foster payment adjustment.
The World Trade Organization (WTO)
oversees international trade. Go to “Understanding the WTO” for extensive background information on the organization’s purpose and founding.
U.S. Foreign Affairs News and Policy
Lots of independent organizations exist to evaluate and discuss international relations and U.S. foreign policy decisions. If you’re looking for a wide range of perspectives on the U.S. role in global affairs, these are some valuable resources.
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- For international data on countries across the world, including detailed country summaries, population pyramids and country rankings, visit the U.S. Census Bureau Web site.
- Some international relations resources are necessarily biased, and their reporting of U.S. foreign affairs reflect those biases. Keep in mind that most organizations have specific slants and opinions.
- Many news organizations offer RSS feeds that provide a constant stream of up-to-the minute information. Consider subscribing and adding these to your bookmarks folder to find the latest international relations headlines anytime.
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For recent foreign policy news …
The Foreign Policy Association
is a nonprofit working to increase the awareness of American civilians on matters of foreign policy. Browse the site’s foreign policy content by region or issue. You’ll also find a “Week in Review Quiz” that tests your knowledge of the previous week’s events.
The Council on Foreign Relations
is a nonpartisan group providing research and analysis. Visit the “By Region” and “By Issue” sections for detailed discussions and background of the most pressing global topics. Don’t miss Foreign Affairs, a journal published by the Council, which offers more news and policy analysis.
For archived documents that detail foreign policy…
Congressional Research Reports for the People
, in association with the Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, analyzes the prevalence of terrorism worldwide, and seeks to find effective forms of terrorism prevention. Reports detailing terrorist activity and U.S. initiatives at curbing violence are available to download as PDFs.
The Congressional Research Service
, presented here by the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), maintains a collection of documents detailing U.S. foreign policy issues. You’ll find congressional reports that discuss secrecy and information, nuclear weapons and arms control, space policy and more.
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