Foreign affairs is the name referring to the government department in many states which conducts foreign relations, foreign policy, 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. Most other nations conduct foreign affairs through a foreign minister.
Separate or semi-separate organs may exist for dealing with special relationships for example, the United Kingdom's Commonwealth Office, or with foreign trade, foreign aid, and cultural relationships.
Foreign Affairs is also the name of an American international relations journal.
