Question

The United States learns from a variety of sources that another nation is planning to launch an attack against it and is punishing its own citizens who refuse to help. As president, what authority do you have, and what steps can you take to resolve this situation?

Authority of the president:

Tools of foreign policy:

Diplomacy: Try to talk through the situation to a peaceful resolution.

Answer 1

@Shadow @Arcadiouse @JustSaiyan whenever you get a chance, this isn't my area of expertise

Answer 2

@Shadow

Answer 3

@Shadow

Answer 4

How have you approached the question so far?

Answer 5

@zarkam21 Let me know if you're completely lost, or if you have some ideas.

Answer 6

well as president you do rule majority of the time

Answer 7

The president is the head of the executive branch. The executive branch enforces laws. But the president has several powers. Some of them come along with one of his titles, which is commander in chief. Essentially, this means that he can deploy troops without permission from Congress, or any other authority (note: only Congress can declare war). Also as the commander in chief, he can authorize nuclear strikes, and other long-range forms of weaponry (artillery, missiles, MOAB, etc) in contrast, or along with, deploying troops or other manned/unmanned forces (drones, ships, planes, tanks, etc).

Answer 8

But that's under more drastic situations. The president not only enforces laws as the head of the executive branch, but as the de-facto leader of the country, he has a broad role in foreign policy and diplomacy with other nations.

SparkNotes lists three tools in regards to foreign policy (http://www.sparknotes.com/us-government-and-politics/american-government/foreign-policy/section1/)

"Diplomacy, foreign aid, and military force."

You got the first one, I mentioned the third, but the second one is interesting, and valid. For a long time, the United States of America (USA) has been giving money to countries in the form of foreign aid. They do it for various reasons, but one of the reasons that most people are aware of but don't completely understand, is because we want them to like us.

The reasoning behind it, is because people like money. And if the USA gives them money, then they like the USA. It is a lot better to have a country like you, then to hate you. Hate is usually derived from various cultural reasons, but the fact is, it's a tool of foreign policy.

Do I think it's smart? No. They can just take that money and spend it on nukes to blow the USA up. But it arguably has worked with some countries, so it's worth listing.