Research, ideas, and leadership for a more secure, peaceful world

Past Event
Seminar

U.S. Foreign Policy: An Organizational Model for Improved Regional Interagency Unity of Effort

Open to the Public

The United States has a complex, multi-agency structure to plan and execute foreign policy. By statute, the State Department is the lead agency for foreign policy. However, in practice, the much larger and better-funded Department of Defense conducts much of America's foreign policy activity, often with little coordination with the State Department or other agencies. Over the past two decades, the military's Geographic Combatant Commands have taken an increasing lead in planning and executing foreign policy activities around the world. This has often effectively put a military face and voice on America's foreign policy, sometimes to the detriment of broader U.S. goals and relationships. More effective U.S. foreign policy requires greater interagency coordination at all levels and a greater role for the State Department as America's lead agency for foreign policy.

NOTE NEW LOCATION!

Please join us! Coffee and tea provided. Everyone is welcome, but admittance will be on a first come–first served basis.

Date: Time: - Location: Taubman Building - Kalb Seminar Room, Room 275
U.S. General David Petraeus, Commander designate, U.S. Central Command, leaves 10 Downing Street in London after a meeting with the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Sept. 29, 2008.

About

The United States has a complex, multi-agency structure to plan and execute foreign policy.  By statute, the State Department is the lead agency for foreign policy.  However, in practice, the much larger and better-funded Department of Defense conducts much of America's foreign policy activity, often with little coordination with the State Department or other agencies.  Over the past two decades, the military's Geographic Combatant Commands have taken an increasing lead in planning and executing foreign policy activities around the world.  This has often effectively put a military face and voice on America's foreign policy, sometimes to the detriment of broader U.S. goals and relationships.  More effective U.S. foreign policy requires greater interagency coordination at all levels and a greater role for the State Department as America's lead agency for foreign policy.

NOTE NEW LOCATION!

Please join us! Coffee and tea provided. Everyone is welcome, but admittance will be on a first come–first served basis.

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