Competing to shape U.S. foreign policy, many actors—from the president and members of Congress to interest groups, NGOs, and the media—influence policy outcomes and subsequent implementation. In this new fourth edition, editor Ralph G. Carter captures this strategic interplay with 15 real-world cases; four brand-new cases examine the global financial crisis, U.S.-Russian relations, Somali pirates, and the U.S. economic embargo against Cuba. Fully updated, all cases have been revised to reflect recent world events, including new Obama administration policies.

Whether grappling with renewed pressure to reform U.S. immigration laws or with a multilateral approach to North Korea's nuclear weapons program, the case method encourages readers to question motives, consider alternatives, and analyze outcomes. Each case is consistently structured with a list of "before you begin" questions, which help bring key issues into focus; introductory and background sections for context; a timeline of important events; and a descriptive list of key actors.