Foreign Policy and National Security

What is the issue?

Foreign policy and national security concern how the United States protects itself and pursues its interests abroad. They include military spending and readiness, alliances such as NATO, responses to conflicts and rival powers, and trade rules such as tariffs. Veterans' health care and benefits are also part of this area. The President directs diplomacy and commands the military, while Congress funds the armed forces, can declare war, and confirms senior officials. Debates involve how much to spend, when to use force, how to support allies, and how trade affects jobs and prices. Many outcomes depend on other countries' actions, and some questions turn on judgments about risk that evidence alone cannot settle.

Topics: Defense spending and military readiness · Alliances and international security · China, Russia, Ukraine, and the Middle East · Trade, tariffs, and manufacturing · Veterans' services and benefits

What decisions are being debated?

How much should be spent on defense, and for what?

Higher spending to modernize forces and deter rivals, which competes with other priorities.
Hold or reduce spending and focus on efficiency.
Shift priorities toward newer technologies or particular regions.

How should the United States work with allies and handle conflicts?

Strengthen alliances and provide assistance.
Reduce overseas commitments and ask allies to do more.
Use diplomacy and sanctions before military options.

What should trade and tariff policy look like?

Use tariffs to protect domestic industry, which can raise some prices.
Lower trade barriers to reduce costs and expand markets, which can affect some workers and industries.
Targeted measures for strategic sectors.

What can government do?

Congress and federal agencies: The President commands the military and directs diplomacy. Congress funds defense, regulates trade, can declare war, and the Senate approves treaties and many nominees. The scope of presidential tariff authority has been the subject of legal disputes.
States: States have no foreign-policy role, but they run National Guard units, host defense industries, and often provide veterans' services.
Counties and cities: Local governments have little direct role beyond veteran services and emergency planning.
Shared or limited authority: Congress and the President share war and trade powers, and their boundaries are sometimes contested.

Relevant elections:

U.S. Senate and House races: Congress funds the military, regulates trade, and confirms officials.

What evidence should voters consider?

U.S. Department of Defense (external site, opens in new tab) (U.S. Department of Defense; Official data)
Official information on military budgets, posture, and operations.
U.S. Department of State (external site, opens in new tab) (U.S. Department of State; Official data)
Official statements on diplomacy, alliances, and treaties.
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (external site, opens in new tab) (USTR; Official data)
Official information on trade agreements and tariffs.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (external site, opens in new tab) (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Official data)
Official veterans' benefits and health-care information.

Where do candidates stand?

Candidate comparisons for this issue are not available yet. They appear only for races where each position is backed by a source we have verified. A missing position is not support, opposition, or neutrality. Candidate filings for every race are listed on the federal races pages.

Learn more

Council on Foreign Relations (external site, opens in new tab) (Council on Foreign Relations; Independent research)

Sources last checked 2026-10-17. Status: explainer written from the cited sources; not independently expert-reviewed. This page explains the issue and does not recommend a candidate.