THE ROLE OF THE ARMED FORCES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STATE’S FOREIGN POLICY STRATEGY

Abstract

The article presents a comprehensive study of the multifaceted role of the armed forces in the foreign policy strategy of modern states. It highlights the fundamental transformation of the military institution in the 21st century – a shift from the classical perception of the armed forces as solely a means of national defense to an understanding of them as a multifunctional actor actively integrated into the implementation of strategic foreign policy objectives. Under current conditions, the military performs not only defensive tasks but also functions as a key element of the external projection of state power, a source of international influence, a tool of humanitarian diplomacy, and a stabilizing factor in the global security environment.The authors identify several key directions in which the armed forces contribute to foreign policy strategy: military diplomacy, strategic deterrence, participation in peacekeeping missions, projection of force, and humanitarian support. Military diplomacy is interpreted as an institutionally structured mechanism for building security alliances, advancing defense interests, and fostering trust among states. It includes the work of defense attachés, officer exchanges, joint exercises, and the signing of defense agreements. At the same time, the authors draw attention to the risk of substituting classical diplomacy with the logic of «hard power», which may lead to the marginalization of civilian components in international dialogue and the dominance of force projection as a means of communication (in line with the approaches of C. Aikenberry).In conclusion, the authors emphasize that the involvement of the armed forces in foreign policy is neither static nor merely functional. Its nature, scope, and effectiveness are conditioned by broader geopolitical dynamics, including: (1) the hybridization of conflicts (the combination of military, informational, and economic means of confrontation); (2) the technological transformation of armies (the implementation of AI, autonomous systems, drones, and cyber capabilities); (3) the rise of multipolarity and the regionalization of security, which requires the development of new formats for interaction and deterrence. These changes demand a more comprehensive strategic vision of the military’s role in international relations and the modernization of its institutional architecture.The conclusion stresses that in the 21st century, the armed forces have become a multidimensional instrument performing deterrence, stabilization, assistance, political communication, and symbolic influence. This necessitates the renewal of both national security doctrines and the diplomatic toolkit of states, taking into account new formats of politico-military engagement.