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Sample Chapter: 3  The Executive Branch

Key facts

• Post-Cold War, US foreign policy has become more complex involving many more domestic agencies that are often engaged in ‘‘turf wars’’ for influence. In the wake of the 11 September 2001 attacks a new department of Homeland Security was established.
• The President is the most important actor with the ability to set the agenda. But his influence depends as much on his political standing with Congress and the public as on the constitution. The role of the Vice President varies with each occupant and wishes of the President.
• The President relies on the NSC staff for advice and briefing. The national security adviser is one of the key figures in the US foreign policy machine and the NSC plays a vital role in coordinating bureaucratic inputs into US foreign policy.
• The State Department is constitutionally the lead agency for US foreign policy but its influence varies from issue to issue and according to the standing of the Secretary of State with the President. Its funding was sharply reduced during the 1990s.
• The Pentagon, with its enormous resources, and the various intelligence agencies, are also important actors in national security and foreign policy issues. The Pentagon assumed responsibility not only for the war on Iraq but also for the post-war reconstruction efforts.

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Increasing number of actors 63KB

The President 57KB

The Vice President 45KB

The National Security Council 86KB

The State Department 311KB

The Department of Defense (Pentagon) 308KB

The intelligence community 286KB

Department of Homeland Security 55KB

Conclusion and Selected further reading 63KB

Download the full chapter 676KB