Crafting foreign policy today is a pluralistic process more actors are involved, partisan loyalties are stronger, and decisions made elsewhere impact the U.S. in significant ways. The president, members of Congress, interest groups, NGOs, the media, and bureaucratic actors all compete to influence the way U.S. foreign policy is shaped and implemented. Editor Ralph Carter captures this interplay with 15 recent real-world cases five brand new to this third edition. Whether grappling with the controversy stemming from immigration reform, dealing with Iran s nuclear weapons program, exploring the impact of the WTO and export tax subsidies, or determining the rights of detainees in the war on terrorism, students are encouraged to question motives, consider alternatives, and analyze outcomes. Each case is consistently structured with a list of before-you-begin questions that frame the issues, introductory and background sections, a timeline of important events, and a descriptive list of key actors.