Working in foreign policy requires a strong knowledge of international law and the ability to understand broad and complex scenarios. It also demands an understanding of the need to represent the interests of citizens. Diplomacy, a major component of foreign policy, involves negotiating treaties, making official declarations, and presenting the government’s views on an issue. This is a time-consuming and labor intensive part of governing. Many great military minds, like George Marshall and Dwight Eisenhower, have been successful diplomats.
Other facets of a country’s foreign policy include economic relations, including trading with foreign countries and supporting development of less-powerful nations. Security and defense are also important, with military alliances, arms control, and peacekeeping efforts. Managing global issues, such as the environment, pandemics, and terrorism, also requires an understanding of foreign affairs and working with international organizations.
It is also critical to promote a liberal world order, which relies on open markets and democracy to achieve its goals. This will require the United States to lead as well as listen, to give as well as take. It will require engaging with more countries and forming broader coalitions instead of seeking retrenchment and unilateral action.
It will also involve recognizing that the challenges of our time transcend borders, and that there are no longer just friendly or enemy states. Terrorism, climate change, and international slave trade are among the most pressing problems that have no clear territorial boundaries that would allow for swift intervention by a single nation.