Many people and groups shape American foreign policy, including the
following:
- The president
- Cabinet departments
- Intelligence agencies
- Congress and the courts
- State and local governments
- The military-industrial complex
The President
The president is the primary architect of American foreign policy. Article
II of the U.S. Constitution names the president commander in chief of the armed
forces and designates the president as the nation’s chief diplomat. This role
expanded and carried new weight as the United States became more of a global
power during the twentieth century.
The National Security Council
The National Security Council (NSC) is a collection of
security policy experts who are part of the White House Staff. The NSC, led
by the national security adviser, advises the president on security
issues.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff
Although the Constitution names the president as the commander in
chief of the armed forces, each branch of the military also has its own
head, known as the chief of staff. Together, these chiefs form the
Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), a group that helps the
president make strategy decisions and evaluates the needs and capabilities
of the military.
