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February 08, 2012
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March 23, 2010

U.S. Foreign Policy: Shooting Ourselves in the Foot?

Debates over U.S foreign policy often overlook the ways in which domestic structural, institutional and political realities handicap policymaking. Yet, despite growing calls for fundamental changes in the way America conceives of and addresses its foreign policy and national security priorities, those domestic obstacles remain stubborn and persistent.

Feature articles in this theme:

The Domestic Bases of America's Grand Strategy

By Justin Logan 23 Mar 2010 | World Politics Review

Domestic politics is driving U.S. grand strategy. Although this phenomenon is poorly understood by both academic international relations scholars and the Washington foreign policy elite, it has important implications for the prospect of changing U.S. grand strategy, and therefore should be of interest to both groups.

America's Ideals as an Antidote to Foreign Policy Partisanship

By Joshua Muravchik 23 Mar 2010 | World Politics Review

Partisanship is the lifeblood of democracy, as it guarantees that all elements of the citizenry will find their champions. But it also sometimes elevates ambition too far over principle, hardening divisions and impeding compromise. This can be dangerous in steering our ship of state through the choppy seas of international relations.

Restructuring the U.S. National Security Architecture

By Michael A. Cohen 23 Mar 2010 | World Politics Review

During the 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama famously declared that he was running for the nation's highest office not simply to end the war in Iraq, but to change the mindset that got America involved in Iraq in the first place. More than a year into his presidency, he is discovering that such a seminal transformation is far easier said than done.