Electronic Journal of the U. S. Department of State - Volume 7, Number 3, November 2002
THE ROLE OF THINK TANKS IN U.S. FOREIGN POLICY
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Richard Haass "There are moments in the evolution of U.S. foreign policy where think tanks have had a decisive impact in reshaping conventional wisdom and setting a new course on a key strategic issue."
Ronald D. Asmus
This issue of U.S. Foreign Policy Agenda examines the unique role played by public policy research and analysis organizations, or "think tanks," in the formulation of U.S. foreign policy. A leading State Department official outlines the principal benefits that think tanks offer to U.S. policy-makers. Two experts review the history and evolution of think tanks' involvement in U.S. foreign policy and cite the recent proliferation of these institutions around the world. Two think tank presidents and an executive vice president explain how a leading U.S. think tank operates, the special role of a think tank created by the U.S. Congress, and how one of the nation's largest think tanks works with the U.S. military. Finally, three case studies show the influence of think tanks on two key policy issues and demonstrate how to establish a think tank, using Honduras as an example.
Preface
"Of the many influences on U.S. foreign policy formulation, the role of think tanks is among the most important and least appreciated."
Director of Policy and Planning
U.S. Department of State
Senior Transatlantic Fellow,
German Marshall Fund of the United States,
and
Adjunct Senior Fellow,
Council on Foreign Relations
