In the post-World War II era, U.S. foreign policy has shown a complex approach to handling international conflicts, incorporating various strategies. Among the options provided, two stand out as more accurate characterizations of U.S. actions:
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It has formed international coalitions when the use of military force is necessary. The U.S. has frequently sought to build coalitions with allies (e.g., NATO interventions, the Gulf War) to address international conflicts, illustrating a preference for multilateral engagement in certain situations.
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It has often acted on its own when the use of military force is necessary. There have also been instances where the U.S. has engaged in military action unilaterally (e.g., the invasion of Iraq in 2003), reflecting a willingness to act independently when it deems necessary.
While the U.S. has occasionally employed economic measures (dollar diplomacy) and has at times ignored the UN's directives, the predominant trend has been a mix of coalition-building and unilateral action based on strategic interests. The answer depends on the specific context of each conflict and cannot be simplified to a single approach.