Medicine and politics have a common aim, the welfare of people, and the ideas and language of one influence the other. There are parallels between medicine, particularly its more cutting-edge aspects, and international affairs; and the more aggressive forms of medicine, like the more aggressive forms of international relationships, seem to be about short-term gain, based on little evidence, with longer-term negative consequences as the full impact of the action becomes clear. Modern medicine has been very effective in curative methods, but the fundamentals of public health, which receive less kudos, have perhaps had more beneficial effects. The world of international affairs can learn much from a holistic and public health approach.