Allies & Enemies of the United States
The U.S. and Mexico, 1821-1850
In the first half of the 19th Century, foreign relations between the U.S. and Mexico were less than friendly as Mexico faced an expansionist United States.
The United States and Mexico, 1850-1920
Between 1850 and 1920, European powers tried to use Mexican enmity with the United States to gain foreign policy leverage in North America.
Perry Would Send U.S. Troops back to Iraq
Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry says he would send troops back to Iraq.
What Is The Korean War Armistice That North Korea Just Invalidated?
On March 11, 2013, North Korea declared the Korean War armistice invalid. Here is a look at the Korean War, the armistice, and American foreign policies involved in both.
Kerry Visits East Asia
In April 2013, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry visited China, Japan, and South Korea in a trip that reaffirmed the nations' commitment a denuclearized Korean Peninsula.
The U.S. and Great Britain: The Special Relationship After World War II
Diplomatic events in the "special relationship" between the United States and Great Britain after World War II.
The U.S. and Great Britain: Origins Of The Special Relationship
A look at 19th Century events in the diplomatic "special relationship" between the United States and Great Britain.
The U.S. and Great Britain: The Special Relationship Forged In War
A look at the "special relationship" of U.S. and British diplomacy during the two world wars.
United States And The Friends Of Syria Plan
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has announced a three-step plan for a democratic Syria, but it faces plenty of obstacles.
North Korea Missle Watch
The United States and the international community were on North Korea missile watch in mid-April 2012 as that country announced plans to launch a satellite into orbit.
North Korea Loses Missile and Food Aid
The United States has cut promised food aid to North Korea in the wake of that country's failed missile launch on April 12, 2012.
Nuclear Weapons Non-Proliferation Treaty
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, first opened for signing in 1968, was the first major international treaty aimed at curbing the development of nuclear weapons.
George C. Marshall, 50th U.S. Secretary of State
George C. Marshall, the 50th U.S. Secretary of State, earned a Nobel prize for his humanitarian efforts in rebuilding war-torn Europe.
NATO Meets in Chicago
NATO leaders meet in Chicago May 20-21, 2012, to discuss future of NATO missions and funding.
NATO Summit Brings Obama Victory
The NATO 2012 summit in Chicago brought President Barack Obama a diplomatic victory on European missile defense.
U.S. Chemical Weapons Diplomatic History
U.S. warnings to Syria against chemical weapons usage underscore America's long adherence to anti-chemical weapons policies.
The United States In Vietnam
A brief look at the American policies and ideologies that plunged the U.S. into the Vietnam War.
North Korea Triggers Third Nuclear Test
On February 12, 2013, North Korea conducted its third nuclear test, angering the U.S., U.N. and other members of the international community.
The Fourteen Points
The Fourteen Points were Woodrow Wilson's ambitious plan for peace at the end of World War I.
Heightened Tensions Over Iran's Nuclear Program
The week of November 6, 2011, brought new worries about Iran's nuclear program.
Historical Relations Of The U.S. and Australia
The United States and Australia have a long history of cooperative relations, much of it the result of shared wartime experiences.
Obama's November 2011 Asia-Pacific Trip
United States President Barack Obama spent much of November 2011 shoring up U.S. trade, diplomatic, and military interests in the Asia-Pacific region.
U.S. Opens Virtual Iranian Embassy
The United States opened a "virtual" embassy in Tehran, Iran, on December 6, 2011; within 12 hours the government of Iran blocked the site from Iranian internet users.
The United States and Japan Before World War II
On December 7, 1941, nearly 90 years of American-Japanese diplomatic relations spiraled into World War II in the Pacific. That descent is the story of how the foreign policies of the two nations backed each other into situations they could only solve with war.
The Treaty of Ghent, 1814
The Treaty of Ghent, signed on Christmas Eve, 1814, ended the War of 1812 and established a new foreign policy dynamic between the United States and Great Britain.
U.S. Formally Ends Iraq War
Obama, Panetta Formally End Iraq War
Denuclearization After Kim Jong Il
Is Korean denuclearization more or less likely after the death of Kim Jong Il?
January 2012 Sees Worsening U.S.-Iranian Relations
Relations between the U.S. and Iran, always bad, worsened in January 2012 as Iran sentenced a captive American citizen to death and verified it was enriching uranium. Meanwhile, Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited American antagonists Venezuela and Cuba.
A History Of U.S. Sanctions Against Iran
While the United States has had some sort of sanction levied against Iran for most of 30 years, few of them have levered Iran into compliance with international rules regarding terrorism or nuclear energy. By early 2012, however, evidence appears to be mounting that sanctions -- both by the U.S. and its global allies -- are hurting Iran.
U.S. Interest In The Strait of Hormuz
Iran's threat to close the Strait of Hormuz points out the strategic value of many straits to U.S. foreign policy.
U.S. and Iran: Accusations And Denials Over Scientist's Death
The explosion that killed Iranian nuclear scientist Mostafa Ahmadi-Roshan in Tehran, January 11, 2012, set off a war of words, suspicion, and accusations between Iran, Israel, and the United States. Here is a rundown of events.
Building In Afghanistan
U.S. foreign aid to Afghanistan attempts to bolster governmental and economic foundations before 2014 when Afghanistan transitions to self-sufficiency.
Talking With The Taliban
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's policy of "fight, talk, build" regarding the U.S. war in Afghanistan appeared to make progress in January 2012 as the Taliban opened an office in Qatar.
Obama, Panetta Herald End of Iraq War
On October 21, 2011, President Barack Obama announced the end of U.S. involvement in the Iraq War.
Fortieth Anniversary of SALT I
May 2012 marks the 40th anniversary of the SALT I treaty, in which the U.S. and Soviet Union took a major step toward limiting nuclear weapons.
Clinton's Apology To Pakistan
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton apologizes to Pakistan for a November 2011 incident that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, but her apology has diplomatic wiggle room.
Munich Olympic Massacre Forces Changes In U.S. Diplomatic Security
The murder of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics forced changes in the way the United States handles diplomatic security.
When The U.S. Boycotted The Summer Olympics
The 1980 Olympics became enmeshed in American foreign policy as the U.S. boycotted the games to protest the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan.
Fiftieth Anniversary of Cuban Missile Crisis
The release of Robert F. Kennedy documents coincides with the fiftieth anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
U.S. Changes Ally Tactics In Syria
The United States is making subtle changes in its liaison group with opposition inside Syria.
Clinton, U.S. Role In Gaza Ceasefire
As a ceasefire began November 21, 2012, in the eight-day-old Israel-Hamas conflict over Gaza, it became evident that Arab Spring had not eradicated U.S. influence in the area.
U.S. Warns Syria Against Chemical Weapons Use
President Barack Obama delivered a stern warning to Syria that it would face consequences if it unleashed chemical weapons on opposition rebels.
The Christmas Bombing
The Christmas season of 1972 brought a brutal American air campaign over North Vietnam. Known as the Christmas Bombing, it was President Richard Nixon's practice of foreign policy by force.
Henry Kissinger, Seretary Of State For Nixon And Ford
Henry Kissinger is one of the most reconizable, and controversial, of America's modern secretaries of state.
The Geneva Accords, 1954
The Geneva Accords of 1954 were an attempt to end eight years of fighting between France and Vietnam. They did that, but they also set the stage for the American phase of fighting in Southeast Asia.
New Sanctions Against North Korea
North Korea's war of words over its missile program heated up once again in late January 2013. Responding to a December 2012, North Korean missile launch in violation of international mandate, the United Nations on January 22 levied another round of sanctions against the communist country. In turn, North Korea vowed retaliation against South Korea and the United States.
The United States and Canada
The first foreign dignitary John Kerry hosted as secretary of state was Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird. Their meeting highlighted the enduring relationship between the U.S. and Canada.
Operation Cope North And Budgetary Sequestration
Two events in February 2013 -- one an extensive set of allied maneuvers in the Pacific, the other a Washington budget battle -- tugged at both ends of American military readiness.
Does Chavez' Death Mean Better Relations Between U.S. and Venezuela?
Does Hugo Chavez' death mean better relations between U.S. and Venezuela?
U.S., Chinese Policies Toward North Korea
A look at U.S. and Chinese policies toward North Korea.
North Korea Threatens To Engulf Washington in "Sea of Fire"
On March 7, 2013, North Korea threatened to engulf Washington D.C. in a "sea of fire" with a nuclear missile attack after the United Nations strengthened sanctions against the communist country.
North Korean Threats Go On
The United States responded in early April 2013 to North Korean threats by renewing defense ties with South Korea and repositioning missile defense systems in Guam.
Obama's Trip To Israel Offers Little New
President Barack Obama's March 2013 trip to Israel was mostly public relations, but public relations are an integral part of foreign relations.
Barack and Bibi: Best Friends?
During President Barack Obama's March 2013 trip to Israel, he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seemed on better terms and in agreement on more issues than ever before.
Former Brit P.M. Margaret Thatcher Dies At 87
Reflections on the U.S. foreign policy impact of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Evidence Of Chemical Weapons In Syria
President Obama says evidence of chemical weapons usage in Syrian civil war is a "game changer," but what does that mean?
The Reagan Doctrine, Pt. 1
The Reagan Doctrine was a policy of rolling back, not just containing, Communism.
U.S. Increases Syrian Humanitarian Aid
The United States announced another increase in humanitarian aid to Syrians caught in their country's civil war.
The Reagan Doctrine, Pt. 2
National Security Decision Directive 75 was the lynchpin of Ronald Reagan's policy to rollback the Soviet Union.
Troops Continue U.S. Commitment To Uganda
President Barack Obama's order to send 100 troops to help track down Ugandan guerrilla leader Joseph Kony is part a larger U.S. foreign policy commitment to Uganda.
Somalia Remains A Foreign Policy Obstacle After 20 Years
While the US has never formally severed relations with Somalia, that country's lack of any official government prevents real diplomacy. The US, however, continues to support foreign aid projects to help famine-stricken, impoverished Somalis.
Resetting the US-Russia Relationship
George W. Bush increasingly found his foreign policy at odds with Russian policies. President Obama is trying to connect with President Medvedev on matters of policy as well as at a personal level. Both sides are interested in building a new relationship between the United States and Russia.
The US-North Korean Relationship
North Korea is considered one of the biggest threats to global piece and is a long-time adversary of the United States.
Fidel Castro
The president of Cuba, Fidel Castro, has been an intractable adversary of the United States since the Cuban Revolution. Find out all about Fidel Castro.