Foreign Policy Tools

State Department

Primary tool for US democracy; conducts negotiations between nations; Maintains embassies and consulates around the world

Military Instrument

US employs military capabilities at home and abroad to support national security goals; operations vary in size and purpose such as: military engagement, security cooperation and deterrence activities to crisis response

Economic Instrument (carrot & sticks)

carrots: incentives and rewards for other nations such as: favorable tax and tariff treatment, direct monetary aid, subsidies for imports and exports, helpful capital flows sticks: punishment or pressure on those who are not cooperating such as: sanctions to cut off aid, private sector sales and investments, restricted exports, banned imports, seizure of country's assets

Secret Intelligence Instruments

High competition and secrecy make each agency in the intelligence committee very protective of its roles; Need secrecy in order to protect sources and methods

Diplomatic Instrument

Consists of US government officials and the actions they can perform; includes engagement, negotiations and public diplomacy

Homeland Security

Domestic defense is supreme obligation; Requires international cooperation and coordination; Especially for globalized transportation and trade electronic communications and transnational threats