Assignment

The United States' foreign policy until the end of the nineteenth century was largely focused on isolationism. Over the years, with American involvement in World War I, World War II, and the Cold War, the American footprint in international affairs expanded, but there was still a general policy of deterrence. However, after 9/11 President Bush shifted American foreign policy to focus on preventive war, meaning that the United States would take a much more proactive approach to attacking others before they were able to attack the United States. President Obama has now shifted that general posture back towards a more restrained approach that relies more on diplomacy and economic sanctions than aggressive military action.

-Consider the types of threats America now faces from both nation-states and increasingly non-state actors like ISIS.

-Find one news article (citing when appropriate) that discusses a recent foreign policy issue and the United States' response (like recent terror attacks abroad).

1) explain the general foreign policy issues 2) what the United States' response was (did the U.S. choose to act or not and in what manner) and 3) whether or not this is in line with a more restrained approach or is more in line with a more aggressive approach. Why? Then discuss what you think more broadly. In general, what foreign policy approach do you think the United States should take? Why?

The paper should be three pages long (no more than four pages), double-spaced, typed with 12 pt. font and normal margins, and include a bibliography.