This interesting article from the Hoover Institute attempts to outline a new approach to foreign policy, beyond "realism" and "liberal internationalism" that can be seen in the actions of certain Presidents.

The author argues that there is a distinctive strand of foreign policy making that could be viewed as "conservative internationalism" that is distinct from the pure power politics of realism as exemplified by Nixon and Kissinger.  It is also quite distinct from Kennedyesque, Carteresque, and Clintonian liberal internationalism.  The author points to Jefferson, Polk (yes, James K. Polk who increased the US land mass by 60 percent as a result of the Mexican War), Truman, and Reagan. 

While it used to be perceived that the "conservative" approach to foreign policy was mostly isolationism of the Robert Taft and , more recently, Pat Buchanan vintage, the core tenets of  conservative internationalism blended a much more forceful approach to the world with a desire to expand freedom.  Really, it is a neoconservative type approach where the Wilsonian messianism is tempered by realism, yet does not shift entirely to an embrace of the status quo as under Nixonian Detente.  The article really seems to me to be a defense of the Krauthammer ideal of democratic realism (which I have referred to in previous posts).

This is not a unique insight, but it is interesting to contemplate.  Intriguingly, Truman is Democrat, which shows that "conservatism" per se need not be the sole province of Republicans.  Ironically, I suspect, if Democrats could get past their far left, McGovernite wing's ability to dicatate in primaries, a reembrace of Truman would make them the permanent party in power for easily a generation.  That they have not doen this is quite the blessing for Republicans.