Foreign affairs

Foreign affairs names the government department in many states which conducts foreign relations, diplomacy, and international representation. They may deal with such issues as international trade and foreign aid.

In the United Kingdom the Foreign Office fills this role; in France, the Quai d'Orsay; in the United States, the United States Department of State.

Separate or semi-separate organs may exist for dealing with special relationships (the United Kingdom's Commonwealth Office, for example), with foreign trade, with foreign aid, or with cultural relationships.

Foreign Affairs is also the name of an American international relations journal.