How the Deep State Shapes U.S. Foreign Policy: Unelected Power in Global Affairs
Discover how the Deep State shapes U.S. foreign policy, with unelected officials in intelligence agencies and the military often driving America’s global actions.
In recent years, the concept of the "Deep State" has become a subject of heated debate, particularly regarding its influence on U.S. foreign policy. The term refers to the entrenched bureaucrats, intelligence agencies, and military officials who remain in power regardless of changes in elected leadership, often influencing decisions behind the scenes. While the idea may sound conspiratorial, it points to a real phenomenon: unelected officials wielding substantial influence over America's global actions, sometimes prioritizing institutional interests over public opinion.
This article explores how the Deep State shapes U.S. foreign policy, detailing key moments when unelected officials have steered the direction of American global strategies.
Meta Title: Deep State Foreign Policy Influence | U.S. Global Strategy Control
Meta Description: Explore how the Deep State, comprising unelected officials and military leaders, influences U.S. foreign policy and shapes global actions.
Defining the Deep State in U.S. Foreign Policy
The Deep State refers to government institutions, particularly intelligence and military bodies, that operate with significant autonomy and influence over national and foreign policy. These unelected officials, from career military leaders to intelligence operatives, often outlast elected politicians, giving them unparalleled control over the direction of U.S. foreign policy. While elected leaders may serve limited terms, these bureaucrats maintain long careers and institutional knowledge, allowing them to steer the country’s global actions in ways that may not always align with the public will.
Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower famously warned about the growing power of the military-industrial complex in his 1961 farewell address. He cautioned the nation about the risk of allowing unelected officials in defense agencies and private contractors to hold too much sway, thereby influencing decisions to benefit their interests rather than the public good.
The Deep State’s Role in Military Intervention
One of the most visible areas of Deep State influence is in military intervention and defense strategy. Though the president and Congress must ultimately authorize military actions, many of the decisions around these interventions are shaped by career military and intelligence officials. These officials provide intelligence assessments, strategic recommendations, and policy options, which can heavily sway elected leaders.
During the Vietnam War, for instance, the escalation of U.S. involvement was heavily driven by military officials even as political and public sentiment began to shift against the war. The Pentagon Papers, leaked by whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg, revealed how the U.S. government had misled the public about the war’s progress and goals. These documents showcased how career officials within the Pentagon pushed for continued military involvement despite growing opposition.
Former CIA Officer John Stockwell commented, “The public and even some politicians often don’t realize how much of foreign policy is shaped behind closed doors by people who will outlast any administration. These decisions don’t always reflect the will of the people.”
Intelligence Agencies and Covert Operations
The CIA, NSA, and other intelligence agencies play an outsized role in shaping U.S. foreign policy, particularly through covert operations and intelligence gathering. Often acting with significant autonomy, these agencies can launch operations abroad without the full oversight of elected officials, making decisions that have wide-reaching consequences.
A clear example of this is the Iran-Contra affair, during which intelligence and National Security Council officials covertly facilitated arms sales to Iran and used the proceeds to fund Nicaraguan Contras—despite Congress having explicitly banned further support for the group. This was done without proper authorization from elected officials, illustrating how unelected officials can shape foreign policy in ways that may contradict the public’s desires or elected mandates.
More recently, the U.S. drone program has been heavily influenced by intelligence agencies, with decisions regarding targeting and operational strategy often left to unelected officials rather than the subject of public debate. These actions, which are carried out largely in secret, have had far-reaching implications for U.S. relations with nations such as Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia.
The Influence of the Military-Industrial Complex
The military-industrial complex—a term coined by Eisenhower—remains a significant player in foreign policy, with defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman lobbying aggressively for continued military engagements and defense-heavy budgets. These corporations profit from military interventions, often driving U.S. foreign policy to prioritize defense spending.
Senator Bernie Sanders has long criticized the close relationship between defense contractors and the U.S. government, stating, “The military-industrial complex not only drives U.S. foreign policy, but it also creates an endless cycle of conflict that benefits a few wealthy corporations at the expense of the American taxpayer.”
This influence was evident in the Iraq War, where the push for invasion was not only driven by intelligence reports but also by the interests of defense contractors looking to secure lucrative contracts in rebuilding Iraq’s infrastructure and military.
Afghanistan: A Case Study in Deep State Influence
The U.S. war in Afghanistan, which lasted from 2001 to 2021, serves as a prime example of the Deep State’s enduring influence on foreign policy. Despite initial public support for the war in the aftermath of 9/11, the conflict became increasingly unpopular as it dragged on, making it the longest war in U.S. history.
Despite pledges from multiple presidents, including Barack Obama and Donald Trump, to end U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, entrenched interests within the Pentagon, intelligence agencies, and defense contractors kept the war going for years. The Afghanistan Papers, a series of internal government documents obtained by The Washington Post, revealed how U.S. officials had deliberately misled the public about the war’s progress, further highlighting the Deep State's influence.
Even after public opinion shifted against the war, military officials continued to advocate for troop surges, claiming that stability in the region was within reach. This persistence delayed the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, demonstrating how unelected officials can prolong military engagements.
Presidential Clashes with the Deep State
One of the most visible instances of a clash between the Deep State and an elected official occurred during the Trump administration. President Trump often expressed frustration with intelligence agencies and military officials, particularly when it came to issues like troop withdrawals from Syria and Afghanistan. In 2018, Trump ordered the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria, but military and intelligence officials delayed the move, with John Bolton, Trump’s then-National Security Advisor, vocally opposing the plan.
Senator Rand Paul, a critic of U.S. interventionism, remarked, “We elect presidents to make decisions on behalf of the people, but far too often, those decisions are overridden by unelected bureaucrats and military officials who have their own agendas.”
Key Private Citizens Who Shaped U.S. Foreign Policy
Henry Kissinger: Perhaps one of the most influential figures in U.S. foreign policy, Henry Kissinger, despite having held official positions as National Security Advisor and Secretary of State under Presidents Nixon and Ford, has continued to exert influence long after leaving office. Kissinger’s legacy is built on his role in shaping Cold War foreign policy, including the opening of relations with China, the policy of détente with the Soviet Union, and his controversial involvement in the Vietnam War.
Even after leaving government service, Kissinger remained a dominant figure in global diplomacy. Through his consulting firm, Kissinger Associates, he provided foreign policy advice to successive U.S. presidents, foreign governments, and multinational corporations. He maintained relationships with leaders worldwide, including Chinese and Russian officials, using his extensive network to advise on key geopolitical decisions. Kissinger’s writings, public speeches, and behind-the-scenes consultations have kept him in the center of foreign policy discussions for decades, making him a key player who has outlasted multiple administrations.
George Soros: A billionaire philanthropist and hedge fund manager, George Soros has had a profound influence on U.S. and global foreign policy, particularly through his philanthropic efforts with the Open Society Foundations. Soros has been a key advocate for democratic reform, human rights, and liberal governance around the world, funneling billions into political and social movements, especially in Eastern Europe and former Soviet states.
Soros was deeply involved in supporting pro-democracy movements that helped to end Communist rule in Europe, most notably in Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Despite being a private citizen, Soros’ substantial financial power and political connections have allowed him to influence U.S. foreign policy through his support of civil society organizations and opposition to authoritarian regimes.
While Soros has been a controversial figure—often vilified by his critics for allegedly using his wealth to sway foreign policy—his impact on global governance, particularly in post-Communist countries, is undeniable. His long-lasting influence continues to shape U.S. foreign relations, especially in regions where democracy and human rights are contested issues.
David Rockefeller: The Rockefeller family has had an enduring influence on U.S. foreign policy, particularly through David Rockefeller, the former chairman and CEO of Chase Manhattan Bank and the grandson of John D. Rockefeller. David Rockefeller, though never holding a formal government role, played a crucial part in shaping American foreign policy throughout the Cold War and beyond.
As a leader of Chase Manhattan, Rockefeller cultivated relationships with heads of state, especially in Latin America and the Middle East, and helped finance projects that tied the U.S. economy to these regions. He also played a key role in establishing organizations like the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and the Trilateral Commission, which fostered dialogue between the U.S., Europe, and Japan on international cooperation and global trade policies.
His personal relationships with global leaders—including controversial figures like the Shah of Iran and Saddam Hussein—allowed him to facilitate diplomacy and trade agreements that aligned with U.S. foreign policy interests. Rockefeller’s deep ties to the banking sector and international institutions allowed him to remain influential across several U.S. administrations, shaping economic policies that had far-reaching foreign policy implications.
Paul Singer: A hedge fund manager and founder of Elliott Management Corporation, Paul Singer has been an influential figure in shaping U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding financial and economic matters. As a key player in the world of "vulture funds" (firms that buy distressed debt from countries in financial crisis), Singer's influence has extended into U.S. dealings with countries like Argentina and Peru.
Singer has been involved in litigation and lobbying efforts aimed at pressuring foreign governments to repay their debts to his firm, actions that have, at times, aligned with U.S. foreign policy interests. For example, his legal battle with Argentina over sovereign debt in the early 2000s played a role in the country’s economic relations with the U.S. government and international financial institutions. Singer has also been a major political donor, funding candidates who align with his economic views and supporting a hawkish foreign policy.
Rupert Murdoch: Rupert Murdoch, the media mogul behind Fox News and other influential media outlets, has had a significant, albeit indirect, influence on U.S. foreign policy. Through his media empire, Murdoch has shaped public opinion on critical foreign policy issues, often promoting a more interventionist, hawkish stance. His outlets were instrumental in shaping the narrative around the Iraq War, with Fox News strongly supporting the Bush administration's decision to invade Iraq in 2003.
Murdoch's newspapers and television channels have been a powerful force in pushing for foreign policy decisions that align with his personal views and business interests. His long-standing influence over the political right in the U.S. has allowed him to sway public and political opinion on key foreign policy matters, outlasting multiple administrations and shaping the broader national discourse on America’s role in the world.