National interest refers to the goals and ambitions that a country seeks to achieve in order to ensure its security, economic prosperity, and general well-being. This concept of interests often guides a nation’s foreign policy and strategic decisions. A nation must protect its national interests, whether by protecting itself from external threats and conflicts and ensuring its security, promoting its economic growth and trade opportunities, increasing its power and influence on the global stage, or promoting its cultural, ideological, and social values. These influences help shape a country’s policies and actions both domestically and internationally to protect and advance its position and goals.

• Morgenthau, H. J. (1948). Politics among nations: The struggle for power and peace (3rd ed.). Alfred A. Knopf.