Foreign policy doctrine

A foreign policy doctrine is a general statement of a country's foreign policy and the belief system that inform it and guide its strategy.

It may be presented in the form of a political speech, doctrine or other official document.

[1] The purpose of a foreign policy doctrine is to provide general rules for the conduct of foreign policy through decisions on international relations.

“Doctrine” is usually not meant to have any negative connotations; it is especially not to be confused with “dogma.” In some cases, the statement is made by a political leader, typically a nation’s chief executive or chief diplomat, and comes to be named after that leader.

This pattern of naming is not universal, however; Chinese doctrines, for example, are often referred to by number.