Foreign policy is the set of actions and attitudes that govern a state's interactions with other states. In the United States, numerous sources contribute to the creation of foreign policy. Most prominent among these, argue many political scientists, is the national interest. This broad term encompasses the survival, security, and power of the nation, which foreign-policy makers attempt to further. While no doubt important, the objective of the national interest is not the determinant of foreign policy. Powerful leaders and departments with a government also influence policy. After all, the phrase 'national interest' can be quite broad and vague. These individuals and groups can affect diplomatic relations by deciding where the national interest truly lies. However, one must not discount the role of domestic politics in the formation of foreign policy. Many of the government officials who determine foreign policy are beholden to the citizens of the United States through elections. Politicians may neglect the national interest in order to ensure another term in office by satisfying voters. In addition to these issues, numerous other factors shape the United States' policy towards other states.

Consequently, one cannot easily sum up American foreign policy towards the Middle East in a neat, concise fashion. Its approach to the region has taken different tones at different times, in response to changes in the international scene and shifts in the electorate at home. However, one can detect broad themes in the history of the United States' actions and attitudes towards the Middle East. [Continued (with Exercises) in PDF File Listed Below]

2 - American Foreign Policy and the Middle East Unit [77k download]