For the second year in a row, the National High School Essay Contest focused on an important aspect of operating in countries affected by or vulnerable to violent conflict: effective coordination of the many different foreign policy tools the United States has at its disposal. 

The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), a sponsor of the contest, has developed this study guide in partnership with AFSA to provide a basic introduction to the topic and some additional context that can assist you with the topic. In this guide, you will find: the essay question, prizes and rules for the contest; an introduction to foreign policy tools; key terms used in the field; examples of coordination in practice; and a list of other useful resources.