ABSTRACT
The goal of the chapter is to examine US foreign policy from a realistic perspective. Firstly, it outlines the basic concepts of US foreign policy: isolationism and interventionism. It analyses the topical discussion about the role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). It points out the power paradox formulated by Christopher Preble that some military power is necessary, but too much power is a problem. It tries to estimate the costs of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. It compares different foreign policy strategies for the US. It points out the chasm between the foreign policy views of citizens and politicians. It offers sober realism as the way out.
The US is an exceptional country. As a state, it acts in the international system according to the logic of power balance. But it is not its actions that make it exceptional; it is its extraordinary power. It is unrealistic to believe that liberal democracy breeds a pacifist policy. This is not only about the frequency of the use of force but also about the mode of warfare. However, the power of the US is so great that it enables it to survive its own mistakes. Survival in the position of a superpower offers a chance to rectify mistakes.
