Where will the conference take place?

The conference will be held in Islamabad, PAK.

What is the primary focus of this conference?

The conference's primary focus is on U.S. Foreign Policy and Global Relations, examining its various dimensions and implications.

What format will the conference follow?

The conference is an international event, suggesting a format that accommodates diverse academic and professional participation.

International Conference on U.S. Foreign Policy and Global Relations (ICUSFPGR-26)

Name: International Conference on U.S. Foreign Policy and Global Relations (ICUSFPGR-26)
Start: 2026-11-16T00:00:00Z
End: 2026-11-17T00:00:00Z
Location: Abu Dhabi

Nov 16–17, 2026Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesIn-person

Registration open

The International Conference on U.S. Foreign Policy and Global Relations (ICUSFPGR-26) convenes in Islamabad, Pakistan to examine the multifaceted dimensions of United States foreign policy and its global implications. This event offers a platform for academics, researchers, and practitioners to analyze current trends, historical contexts, and future trajectories of international relations as shaped by the actions and policies of the United States. Participants will engage in discussions covering a broad spectrum of topics, from economic diplomacy and security alliances to cultural exchange and humanitarian interventions. The conference aims to foster a deeper understanding of the complexities inherent in global governance and the role of major powers in maintaining international stability and addressing transnational challenges.

Committees & topics

Topics
The Evolution of U.S. Foreign Policy · Geopolitical Dynamics in American Studies · Soft Power and Cultural Diplomacy · Military Interventions and Their Consequences · Trade Policy and Economic Diplomacy

Why it matters

The foreign policy of the USA profoundly influences global dynamics, impacting everything from economic stability and trade relations to peace and security initiatives worldwide. Understanding these policies is crucial for international actors, as decisions made in Washington D.C. often have ripple effects across continents, affecting national economies, regional conflicts, and multilateral cooperation efforts.

This conference is particularly significant given its location in PAK, a country with its own complex relationship with the USA and a critical geopolitical position in Asia. The discussions will likely offer unique regional perspectives on how USA foreign policy is perceived and experienced, providing valuable insights that might differ from analyses originating in Western capitals. Such diverse viewpoints are essential for a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of international affairs.

Furthermore, the event provides an opportunity to explore how USA foreign policy adapts to emerging global challenges, such as climate change, pandemics, and technological disruption. The ability of the USA to lead or contribute effectively to solutions for these issues depends heavily on its diplomatic strategies and engagement with other nations. Therefore, analyzing these aspects is not merely academic but directly relevant to global well-being and future international cooperation.

How to prepare

To effectively engage with the themes of the ICUSFPGR-26, delegates should undertake a comprehensive review of contemporary USA foreign policy doctrines and their historical evolution. Understanding the foundational principles and shifts in approach over different administrations will provide a crucial framework for analysis. Consider examining the interplay between domestic political considerations and external policy decisions, as internal dynamics often shape international postures.

Delegates should also prepare to discuss the implications of USA foreign policy on specific regions and countries, particularly those in Asia. This involves researching bilateral relations, security agreements, and economic partnerships that define the USA's engagement with key states. A critical approach to evaluating both the intended and unintended consequences of these policies will be beneficial for fostering robust discussions. Consider applying concepts from the 'Power-Interest Grid' lesson to analyze the various stakeholders involved in USA foreign policy decisions and their influence.

Finally, participants should be ready to articulate their perspectives on how USA foreign policy can adapt to address future global challenges. This includes thinking about potential areas for cooperation, conflict resolution, and the promotion of shared values. Engaging with the 'Dynamic Analysis' lesson can help in forecasting potential shifts and preparing for discussions on future policy directions. Being prepared to discuss the 'Hidden Stakeholders' in international relations will also add depth to your contributions.

Country perspectives

Where the most-relevant 4 countries stand on the core issues in play. Click through for the full country profile.

Pakistan

PAK often views USA foreign policy through the lens of security assistance, counter-terrorism cooperation, and economic development, while also navigating concerns about sovereignty and regional stability.

Role in topic

As the host nation, PAK provides a crucial geopolitical context for discussions on USA foreign policy, particularly concerning regional security, counter-terrorism efforts, and economic partnerships in South Asia. Its perspective is vital for understanding the on-the-ground impact of USA policies.

United States

The USA generally frames its foreign policy as promoting democratic values, economic prosperity, and global security through alliances and multilateral engagement, while adapting to evolving geopolitical landscapes.

Role in topic

The USA is the central subject of the conference, with its foreign policy being the primary focus of analysis and discussion. Its role is to be critically examined for its global impact, strategic objectives, and diplomatic approaches across various regions and issues.

China

CHN often views USA foreign policy as a strategic competitor, particularly in economic and geopolitical spheres, and advocates for a multipolar world order.

Role in topic

CHN's perspective is critical for understanding the evolving great power competition and its implications for global stability. Discussions will likely touch upon trade relations, technological rivalry, and influence in various international forums, providing a counterpoint to USA-centric views.

Russia

RUS frequently perceives USA foreign policy as an attempt to undermine its geopolitical influence and expand Western alliances, leading to a more confrontational stance.

Role in topic

RUS offers another significant perspective on great power dynamics, particularly concerning European security, energy policy, and arms control. Its interactions with USA foreign policy are often characterized by strategic competition and differing views on international norms.

Topics & background

The background behind each topic and the actors that shape it.

The Evolution of U.S. Foreign Policy

U.S. foreign policy has evolved through distinct eras, from the continental focus and isolationism of the 19th century, articulated in the Monroe Doctrine of 1823, to the global engagement that followed World War II. The Cold War period (1947-1991) saw Washington construct a sweeping containment architecture against the Soviet Union, anchored by NATO, the Bretton Woods institutions, and bilateral alliances in Asia such as those with Japan and South Korea. The collapse of the USSR ushered in a 'unipolar moment' marked by NATO enlargement, humanitarian intervention debates, and the promotion of liberal economic order. The September 11, 2001 attacks reoriented U.S. strategy toward counterterrorism and the so-called Global War on Terror, including prolonged operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. By the 2010s, successive administrations began a 'pivot to Asia,' recognizing China's rise as the central strategic challenge. The Trump administration's 'America First' posture, the Biden administration's emphasis on alliances and 'democracy vs. autocracy' framing, and the return of a Trump-led approach in 2025 reflect ongoing tension between retrenchment and engagement. Today U.S. policy is shaped by great-power competition with China and Russia, support for Ukraine, recalibration of Middle East commitments after the 2023-2024 Gaza war, and debates over the future of the rules-based order. Delegates should weigh continuity and rupture in American grand strategy across administrations.

Key players

Geopolitical Dynamics in American Studies

American Studies as an academic field emerged in the mid-20th century to interpret the United States' rising global role through history, culture, and politics. Its geopolitical dimension examines how U.S. power radiates outward and how the world, in turn, reshapes American identity, institutions, and interests. The field gained urgency during the Cold War as scholars analyzed ideology, race, and exceptionalism alongside containment policy, and later expanded through transnational and hemispheric approaches that questioned U.S.-centric framings. Contemporary geopolitical dynamics include the contestation of U.S. primacy by China, the partial decoupling of supply chains, fractures within the Western alliance system, and the growing assertiveness of middle powers such as India, Brazil, and Turkey. U.S. relations with Mexico and Canada under the USMCA, hemispheric migration pressures, and Arctic competition are also reshaping how scholars and policymakers conceive 'America' in regional and global terms. The topic invites analysis of how academic frameworks intersect with policy: how narratives of democracy, race, and empire inform foreign policy debates, and how shifting global power distributions affect U.S. domestic politics. Delegates should consider the interplay between identity, ideology, and material power.

Key players

Soft Power and Cultural Diplomacy

The concept of soft power, popularized by Joseph Nye in 1990, describes a state's ability to shape preferences through attraction rather than coercion, drawing on culture, political values, and foreign policy legitimacy. U.S. cultural diplomacy has long relied on instruments such as the Fulbright Program (established 1946), the U.S. Information Agency, Voice of America, and Hollywood and Silicon Valley's global cultural reach. During the Cold War, jazz tours, exchange programs, and broadcasting were deliberately deployed to counter Soviet influence. In the 21st century, the soft power landscape has grown more contested. China's Confucius Institutes, the Belt and Road Initiative's cultural components, and CGTN compete with Western media, while Russia's RT and information operations challenge liberal narratives. South Korea's K-pop and film industry demonstrate that middle powers can wield significant cultural influence. Cuts to U.S. public diplomacy budgets, restrictions on TikTok, and debates over USAGM's editorial independence have raised questions about American capacity in this domain. Today, cultural diplomacy intersects with digital platforms, diaspora politics, and disinformation. Delegates should weigh how the U.S. can renew its soft power amid declining global favorability in some regions, and how cultural exchange can complement or substitute for harder forms of statecraft.

Key players

Military Interventions and Their Consequences

Since 1945, the United States has conducted military interventions ranging from full-scale wars to covert operations and drone campaigns. Korea (1950-1953), Vietnam (1955-1975), the Gulf War (1991), the Balkans (1995, 1999), Afghanistan (2001-2021), and Iraq (2003-2011) defined successive generations of American power projection. The post-9/11 interventions in particular generated extensive debate over legality, the doctrine of preemption, civilian harm, and nation-building feasibility. Consequences have included regional destabilization—most visibly in Iraq, Libya (2011), and Syria—mass displacement, the rise of ISIS, and the erosion of public support at home for prolonged commitments. The chaotic 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban's return underscored the limits of military-led state-building. At the same time, more limited operations against ISIS and counter-Houthi strikes in the Red Sea (2024-2025) illustrate continued reliance on force. Current debates focus on War Powers Resolution reform, the future of forward deployments in the Middle East, support for Ukraine, deterrence in the Taiwan Strait, and the rising role of unmanned systems and cyber operations. Delegates should assess strategic outcomes, humanitarian costs, and the legal frameworks governing the use of force.

Key players

Trade Policy and Economic Diplomacy

U.S. trade policy after 1945 was anchored in the GATT and, from 1995, the WTO, supporting tariff liberalization and rules-based dispute settlement. Landmark agreements such as NAFTA (1994) and bilateral FTAs with South Korea, Australia, and others expanded market access while generating domestic backlash over manufacturing job losses. The 2017-2021 period saw a sharp turn toward unilateral tariffs, the renegotiation of NAFTA into the USMCA, and U.S. withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, signaling skepticism toward traditional liberalization. The Biden administration framed trade through 'worker-centered' and industrial-policy lenses, advancing the CHIPS and Science Act (2022), the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework while maintaining many Trump-era tariffs and tightening export controls on advanced semiconductors to China. The return of a Trump administration in 2025 has intensified tariff measures, including broad duties on imports from China, Mexico, Canada, and the EU, and renewed pressure on trading partners over currency, fentanyl, and migration. The WTO Appellate Body remains paralyzed, and economic statecraft—sanctions, export controls, investment screening, and friend-shoring—has become central to U.S. foreign policy. Delegates should examine the trade-offs between protectionism, alliance cohesion, supply-chain resilience, and the credibility of the multilateral trading system.

Key players

Resources

News, lessons, and country profiles to prep for International Conference on U.S. Foreign Policy and Global Relations (ICUSFPGR-26).

Recent reporting to ground your prep

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US Job Openings at 6.7M

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Lessons

Bite-sized lessons to build the basics

Gender Dynamics Across Cultures

The Power-Interest Grid

Hidden Stakeholders

Engagement Strategies

Courses

Guided courses that go deeper on the topic

Multilateral Negotiation

Policy Brief Writing

Cross-Cultural Communication

Advanced Negotiation

The states in play, with the data that shapes their stance

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

Country dossier

United Arab Emirates November 2026

By committee

Frequently asked questions

International Conference on U.S. Foreign Policy and Global Relations (ICUSFPGR-26)

Nov 16–17, 2026Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesIn-person

Registration open

Committees & topics

Topics
The Evolution of U.S. Foreign Policy · Geopolitical Dynamics in American Studies · Soft Power and Cultural Diplomacy · Military Interventions and Their Consequences · Trade Policy and Economic Diplomacy

Why it matters

How to prepare

Country perspectives

Where the most-relevant 4 countries stand on the core issues in play. Click through for the full country profile.

Pakistan

Role in topic

United States

Role in topic

China

CHN often views USA foreign policy as a strategic competitor, particularly in economic and geopolitical spheres, and advocates for a multipolar world order.

Role in topic

Russia

RUS frequently perceives USA foreign policy as an attempt to undermine its geopolitical influence and expand Western alliances, leading to a more confrontational stance.

Role in topic