Given the potentially large number of explanans, is it possible to trace all the influences on a specific foreign policy decision in a theoretically meaningful way? Answer this question in a few sentences.

Given the multiplicity of possible factors that may influence a foreign policy decision, I do not think it is possible to trace all the possible influencing factors in a theoretically meaningful way. Because foreign policy analysts have to recreate the moment of a decision from incomplete and often obfuscated records and most of the cases that models and theories are based on are decades out of date, it is difficult to assess the pertinent factors of any case, let alone when one is attempting to account for every possible factor that may have influenced a decision.

We can only attempt to hypothesize what thought processes and motives decision-makers may have during the decision-making process and at the moment of the decision. It is up to analysts to narrow down the factors that are most likely to have significantly influenced decision-making and focus and base models and theories on those few significant factors. (response to peer)