1. Working for Peace

2. Diplomacy and Alliances
The process of managing international relations is called diplomacy.
Typically conducted by a country’s representatives, called Diplomats. These officials represent their country abroad.
Diplomacy is used to prevent war, negotiate an end to conflicts, solve problems, and establish communication between countries.
International relations is the study of relationships among different international groups, including countries, organizations, and groups.
This international system can be quite hectic, with conflicts arising with war, nuclear proliferation, terrorism, international trade and economics, among many others.

3. Diplomacy and Alliances
Ambassadors are the highest ranking officials representing a government in a foreign country
An embassy is the official residence of an ambassador in a foreign country
The United States has ambassadors to around 200 countries, and even has ambassadors to organizations like the African Union, or The United Nations.

4. Diplomacy and Alliances
An alliance is an agreement in which two or more countries commit to helping each other for defense, economic, scientific, or other reasons.
The United States has agreed to a number of collective defense arrangements.
North Atlantic Treaty - an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all; and each of them will assist the attacked
RIO TREATY - provides that an armed attack against any American State shall be considered as an attack against all the American States and each one undertakes to assist in meeting the attack.
The United States also has several bilateral treaties, meaning specifically between two states. (Japan, Korea, Philippines)

5. Diplomacy and Alliances
Presidents use diplomacy to improve relationships with foreign countries.
One example is called a summit - a meeting between the leaders of two or more countries to discuss issues
The USA and USSR would have over 25 of these meetings over the course of WWII – the end of The Cold War.
The Yalta conference -discussing Europe's post-war reorganization. FDR, Churchill, Stalin

6. Current Presidential Summits
Earlier this month, The United States and China wrapped up a two-day presidential summit here by announcing a 100-day plan to improve strained trade ties and boost cooperation between the rival nations.
Trump advisers said the goal, at least from the U.S. side, was to increase American exports to China
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said there was “acknowledgment” from the Chinese side “that we do need to get to a more balanced trade environment.”
The two nations attempted to resolve a new position on North Korea’s nuclear presence, but that has not been resolved as of yet.

7. Current Presidential Summits
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson hosted a meeting of the 68-member US-led coalition against Islamic State in March.
According to Tillerson ”Defeating the terrorist group is the “number one US goal in the region,” 
President Trump signed an executive order on January 28 directing his national security team to come up with a strategy to defeat ISIS.

8. Diplomacy and Alliances
One of the main goals of U.S. foreign policy is to promote national security. The U.S. forms alliances for defense as a way to promote peace.

9. Diplomacy and Alliances
In 1948, the U.S. and most countries in Latin America formed the Organization of American States (OAS). The goal of OAS is mutual defense and the peaceful settlement disputes among member countries.
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is perhaps the most important security alliance formed by the U.S. and its allies. In 1949, they wanted to establish a united front against aggression by the Soviet Union and its communist allies. Now countries aid the organization in military expenses and peacekeeping operations

10. Forms of Foreign Aid
Foreign aid is any government program that provides economic or military assistance to another country.
Many international organizations and individual countries provide foreign aid.
After WWII, the US helped rebuild Europe using about $13 billion, known as the Marshall Plan
Helped build and create better relations with rival countries after the war, and helped establish alliances moving into the Cold War

11. Government organizations and establishing peace
President Ronald Reagan signed legislation creating the United States Institute of Peace in 1984.
USIP is America’s nonpartisan institute to promote national security and global stability by reducing violent conflicts abroad.
They guide peace talks and advise governments; train police and religious leaders; and support community groups opposing extremism—all to help troubled countries solve their own conflicts peacefully.
The Institute has a bipartisan board of directors that by statute includes the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State

12. Major International Organizations
Non-Governmental Organizations/ International Non- Governmental Organizations (NGO/INGO) Private organizations that pursue activities to:
relieve suffering
promote the interests of the poor
protect the environment
provide basic social services
undertake community development.
These operate independently from any government and maintain their non-governmental status by excluding government representatives from membership in the organization.

13. Major International Organizations
International Red Cross/ Red Crescent-an international humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers, members and staff worldwide which was founded to protect human life and health.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)- a United Nations Program headquartered in New York City, that provides long-term humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries.

14. Foreign Policy and Foreign Trade
Foreign competition has led the U.S. to seek ways to improve its position in the global economy.
The U.S. has joined a few international efforts that support trade and promote peaceful interaction among nations:
The U.S. signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) , which allows free trade among the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
WTO (World Trade Organization)- Supervises international trade

15. Organizations that Impact Foreign Trade
WTO and NAFTA are expected to help American consumers and producers in the long run.
Opponents fear the U.S. will relocate factories and other manufacturing operations to other countries for cheaper labor and material
Supporters say it will help the country gain greater access to foreign markets and lead to increased growth in the U.S. economy.

16. Working for Peace The United Nations works to maintain peace through:
Conflict Prevention: not allowing tension to escalate between/within States.
Peacemaking: measures to address conflicts in progress and usually involves diplomatic action to bring hostile parties to a negotiated agreement.
Peace Enforcement: the application of a range of coercive measures, including the use of military force. This is done through the Security Council of the UN.
The UN has a peacekeeping force to help them work towards establishing long-term peace among nations.

17. Working for Peace
The world today still is full of conflict, yet we can observe data that enforces the idea that peace has slowly become more common.
In the 1940’s we saw 300 war deaths per 100,000 people each year.
In the 50’s it dropped to around 20
In the 70’s it dropped to the teens.
Since 2000 it has been between .5-1 war death per 100,000.
Successfully resolving conflicts and preventing new wars has been key in this change in violence.
The ever-evolving world will require new methods to keep peace between nations.