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  • Term

    International Law

    A body of rules established by custom or treaty and recognized by nations as binding in their relationships with one another

  • Term

    International Organizations

    An organization with an international membership, mission, or presence. There are two main types: International nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) are nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that operate internationally, such as the International Olympic Committee or the International Committee of the Red Cross. Intergovernmental organizations, also known as international governmental organizations (IGOs), the type of organization most closely associated with the term "international organization" are organizations that are made up primarily of sovereign states (referred to as member states). Examples include the United Nations; NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization); OAS (Organization of American States); APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation); ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations); and the WTO (World Trade Organization).

  • Term

    Isolationism

    The policy of nonparticipation in contentious international matters. U.S. foreign policy centered around isolationism throughout the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth. The policy was abandoned after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, bringing the United States into World War II.

  • Term

    Legation

    A diplomatic mission in a foreign country headed by a diplomat with the rank of minister

  • Term

    Locally employed staff

    Staff that work at a Foreign Service post (Embassy/Consulate/Mission) abroad. The overwhelming majority are citizens of the country the post is located in, but some are American citizens living in the country and family members of Foreign Service Officers and other full time USG employees who are assigned to a post. More than 53,000 Locally Employed Staff work at U.S. Missions around the world. They provide local expertise, language skills, continuity and contacts within the host country. They are indispensible full-fledged members of our American missions abroad.

  • Term

    Ministerial

    A formally arranged meeting of ministers of various states, such as the Defense or Foreign Ministers of the member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

  • Term

    Mission

    A diplomatic representation to an international organization. Mission is also used to refer to an embassy.

  • Term

    Multilateral

    Involving more than two nations (which would be bilateral). International organizations, such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, are multilateral in nature.

  • Term

    Nationalize

    To take control or ownership of a country or company by the national government.

  • Term

    Negotiation

    Discussion between the representatives of two or more parties intended to reach a compromise on a disputed topic of interest. Governmental negotiations can be bilateral (between two states or between a state and a non-state entity, such as an International Organization or Non-Governmental Organization) or multilateral.