FOREIGN POLICY POLICIES, ANALYSIS, AND RESOURCES
Latest Foreign Policy Posts
Trump Terminates Program Arming Syrian Rebels
Before President Trump’s July 9th meeting with the G20, the administration decided to conclude an operation that provided weapons to anti-Assad rebels in Syria, according to senior administration officials. President Obama initiated this secret program in 2013 through the CIA in order to establish military credibility in the region…
Foreign Policy Flip-Flop: NATO Policy
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO, was founded in 1949 as a response to rising global threats. NATO is the paramount international defense alliance, and its members are some of the beacons of stability and democracy across the globe. Because of President…
Foreign Policy Flip-Flop: Syrian Intervention
President Trump does not have a consistent policy on Syria nor Bashar al-Assad, and this confusing stance damages American interests in the region. The Assad regime uses chemicals weapons on its own people, colludes with Russia to maintain an authoritarian state, and fails…
Trouble with Diplomatic Relations with Qatar
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Bahrain all cut diplomatic ties and travel to Qatar on June 5th, and were quickly joined by Libya, Yemen, and the Maldives on June 6th. This move will lead to the removal of diplomats and embassies, and the travel restrictions prohibit air, water, or land travel between any…
Mexico Sugar Trade Agreement
On June 6th, Mexico and the United States reached an important stage in the drafting process of the sugar trade deal between the two nations. Mexico agreed to every demand made by the United States and is willing to work with the American sugar industry to make further progress. The deal would protect American exports…
Cuba Reversal
On June 16th, President Donald Trump signed a directive with the intention of reversing Obama-era Cuba policy changes. The directive only dealt with a few regulations and left many in place. Specifically, private tours of Cuba are no longer allowed, and any educational trip will undergo an intensive audit. Furthermore, President Trump…
Tariff on Canadian Lumber
President Donald Trump announced on April 25th a new set of tariffs on Canadian lumber policies. Citing an unfair deal, President Trump has launched a new set of duties ranging from 3% to 24% on five Canadian lumber companies. Currently, most Canadian lumber firms pay a tariff of 20% on exports to the United States. This dispute…
Human Rights Conditions Dropped on Arms Sale to Bahrain
State Department Policy Issued on March 29th, 2017 Policy Summary On March 29th, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson decided to proceed with a sale of F-16 fighter jets to Bahrain without human rights stipulations. The deal, which was proctored by President Obama and...
State Department Issues Keystone XL Pipeline Permit
A press release issued on March 24th by the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs stated that a permit was issued to TransCanada for construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. The statement detailed that this pipeline “would serve the national interest”, and follows President Trump’s call for the development of the…