Editing Foreign policy (section)

{{short description|Government's strategy in relating with other nations}}
{{about|political affairs|the magazine|Foreign Policy}}
{{Redirect|Foreign affairs|the magazine|Foreign Affairs||Foreign affairs (disambiguation)}}
{{Redirect|Foreign relations|see also|International relations}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
[[File:Paasikivi ja Voroshilov.jpg|thumb|[[J. K. Paasikivi]], the [[President of Finland]], was remembered as a main architect of [[Foreign relations of Finland|Finland's foreign policy]] with the [[Soviet Union]] after the [[Second World War]].<ref>{{Cite book|editor-last=Wilsford|editor-first=David|title=Political leaders of contemporary Western Europe: a biographical dictionary|publisher=[[Greenwood Publishing Group]]|year=1995|pages=347–352}}</ref> From left to right: President Paasikivi and Soviet head of state [[Kliment Voroshilov]] in [[Moscow]].]]
[[File:Palazzo della Farnesina.jpg|thumb|The [[Palazzo della Farnesina|Farnesina]] in [[Rome]], seat of the Italian [[Ministry of foreign affairs]]]]
[[File:Zapatero in Poland (556095467).jpg|thumb|Meeting between the prime ministers of [[Spain]] and [[Poland]] ([[Jarosław Kaczyński]]), in 2007]]
{{Politics|expanded=Policy}}
'''Foreign policy''', also known as '''external policy''', is the set of strategies and actions a [[State (polity)|state]] employs in its interactions with other states, unions, and international entities. It encompasses a wide range of objectives, including defense and security, economic benefits, and humanitarian assistance. The formulation of foreign policy is influenced by various factors such as domestic considerations, the behavior of other states, and geopolitical strategies. Historically, the practice of foreign policy has evolved from managing short-term crises to addressing long-term international relations, with diplomatic corps playing a crucial role in its development.

The objectives of foreign policy are diverse and interconnected, contributing to a comprehensive approach for each state. Defense and security are often primary goals,<ref name="onlinelibrary">{{Cite journal |last1=Redd |first1=Steven B. |last2=Mintz |first2=Alex |date=5 April 2013 |title=Policy Perspectives on National Security and Foreign Policy Decision Making |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/psj.12010 |journal=Policy Studies Journal |language=en |volume=41 |issue=S1 |doi=10.1111/psj.12010 |s2cid=154618621 |issn=0190-292X|url-access=subscription }}</ref> with states forming military alliances and employing soft power to combat threats. Economic interests, including trade agreements and foreign aid, are central to a country's role in the global economy. Additionally, many states have developed humanitarian programs based on the responsibility to protect, supporting less powerful countries through various forms of assistance. The study of foreign policy examines the reasons and methods behind state interactions, with think tanks and academic institutions providing research and analysis to inform policy decisions.