International relations, is the study of the relations of states with each other and with international organizations and certain sub national entities (e.g., bureaucracies, political parties, and interest groups). It is related to a number of other academic disciplines, including politicalsciencegeographyhistoryeconomicslawsociologypsychology, and philosophy.

Foreign policy, generally guide the activities and relationships of one state in its interactions with other states. The development of foreign policy is influenced by domestic considerations, the policies or behaviour of other states, or plans to advance specific geopolitical designs. The Encyclopedia Britannica notes that a government's foreign policy may be influenced by "domestic considerations, the policies or behaviour of other states, or plans to advance specific geopolitical designs.