On the Record On the Best and Worst U.S. Foreign Policy Decisions
12 snips
Jan 16, 2026 
In this engaging discussion, James M. Lindsay, a leader in U.S. Foreign Policy research, and Mary L. Dudziak, a legal expert on civil rights, delve into the best and worst U.S. foreign policy decisions. They analyze why the Marshall Plan is hailed as a top decision while the 2003 Iraq invasion is criticized as a major blunder. Christopher M. Nichols adds historical insights, revealing surprises from a recent survey of historians. The panel also discusses the implications of civil rights on foreign relations and the influence of misleading intelligence on poor decisions.
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1953 Coup: Proof Of Concept For Covert Action
- The 1953 CIA-orchestrated overthrow of Iran's Mossadegh is seen as a pivotal error that normalized covert interventions.
- Historians link it to later CIA meddling and long-term blowback in U.S.-Iran relations.
Use The Survey To Teach Decision Criteria
- Use the CFR survey website as a teaching tool to debate criteria for good decisions.
- Encourage students to compare cases and defend why they value certain decisions over others.
Use Online Resources For Deeper Teaching
- Explore the project's online resources (maps, audio, video) to teach nuanced foreign policy history.
- Use the materials to engage students in evidence-based debates about decision quality.
