American Foreign Policy Examining the Facts Contemporary Debates

Gives readers the resources to explore and understand the wide range of factors that shape American foreign policy, as well as a fact-based approach to examining partisan debates about national security priorities, economic prosperity, capitalism, and human rights.

How much foreign aid does the United States give foreign countries? How many military bases do US forces have around the world, and for what reasons? Why are US attitudes about the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) so important to economic and political stability in Europe? Where do America's political parties stand on issues of free trade, counterterrorism, human rights, economic exploitation, and international cooperation on environmental issues such as climate change? How have US relations with China and Russia changed over the last half century?

This fact-checking resource answers all these questions and more, drawing on essential primary sources, authoritative government studies and reports, and top experts in the field. Rather than a specific ideological approach to the topic, this book presents the facts pertaining to the most consequential issues in American foreign policy and international relations today.