In a novel contribution to the field of comparative foreign policy analysis, this book carefully delineates how states, regardless of regime, have formulated policies to deal with their national communities aboard. Some states, depending on their domestic political ideologies, cultures and capabilities, have extensive institutional mechanisms in place for coming to the aid of their nationals abroad. Others, however, have also used these capabilities in adverse ways. Chapters focusing on individual countries explore the rationale behind state policies that differentiate treatment for distinct groups, such as tourists, migrants, and diasporas. Amongst the intriguing findings is the fact that state capacity alone does not explain the ability or willingness of states to assist their nationals abroad in times of need. Furthermore, in some cases, communities abroad can also actively mobilize against their home state, thus play key roles in conflict and even regime change.

1. States' interactions with their national communities abroad Klaus Brummer and Šumit Ganguly; 2. India: engaging and re-engaging the diaspora Nicolas Blarel; 3. Mexico: consular protection as a foreign policy priority Daniel Hernández Joseph and Jorge A. Schiavon; 4. Russia: Empire's echo Ethan Larson; 5. China: ocusing on low-cost and low-key administrative and diplomatic initiatives Andrea Ghiselli; 6. Pakistan: tapping into its diasporas' economic potential Sahar Khan; 7. Philippines: valuing human assets Ma. Divina Gracia Z. Roldan; 8. The United Kingdom: good information, limited liability, and a powerful safety net James Strong; 9. Indonesia: protecting migrant workers at home and abroad Ann Marie Murphy and Amy Freedman; 10. Germany: supportive in times of crisis Klaus Brummer and Kai Oppermann; 11. Egypt: cultivating loyalty abroad, repressing when necessary Kelsey P. Norman; 12. Türkyie: home state reimagined Yasemin Akbaba; 13. The United States: a (mostly) hands-off superpower Drew A. Hogan and Ronald R. Krebs; 14. Comparative insights on states' support, co-optation, and repression of their national communities abroad Šumit Ganguly and Klaus Brummer.