Final answer:
The cornerstone issues of U.S. foreign policy during the Carter administration included the energy crisis, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the Iranian hostage crisis, with Carter's efforts characterized by a focus on human rights and moral principles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy during the Carter administration revolved around several key issues including human rights, the energy crisis, and the complexities of the Middle Eastern conflict, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Most notable was the Iranian hostage crisis, which significantly shaped foreign policy and public perception of the Carter administration. President Jimmy Carter also pursued a foreign policy that introduced the Carter Doctrine, aimed at safeguarding American interests in the Middle East and responding to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan with a boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympic Games in Moscow.
Carter sought a moral foundation in foreign affairs, championing human rights and détente, which included significant moves such as the Camp David Accords, the proposal for the SALT II arms reduction treaty, and the establishment of the Department of Energy to address energy conservation and alternative sources.