About the U.S. Foreign Policy Program

About the Program

President Joe Biden came to office in January 2021 promising to pursue a “foreign policy for the middle class” and to restore U.S. global leadership after four years of America First. But an increasingly assertive China is challenging U.S. influence in Asia, a resurgent Russia has invaded Ukraine, and Iran and North Korea continue to expand their nuclear programs. Meanwhile, the spread of transnational problems such as climate change, infectious diseases, cybersecurity, and terrorism has blurred the lines between domestic and foreign policy.

Partisan disagreement at home frustrates Washington’s efforts to formulate and sustain coherent and effective policy both at home and abroad, hindering the U.S. ability to lead by example and raising questions about whether the United States will remain a reliable ally and partner. Many experts contend that the American public wants to withdraw from the world, but polls show that a majority of Americans continues to support for an active U.S. role abroad.

By analyzing the forces driving and shaping foreign policy, the U.S. Foreign Policy program seeks to help policymakers, business leaders, journalists, and the general public better understand the challenges the United States faces overseas and to offer recommendations that will enable them to advance U.S. interests and values.