This book brings together 3 key elements for readers. It provides an overview of the historical information to make sense of current U.S. foreign policy; it supplies case studies to give readers grounding in key events in U.S. foreign policy and information on contemporary issues; and it incorporates concepts that structure an investigation into U.S. foreign policy. The focus is on U.S. policy itself and not on U.S. foreign policy toward specific regions or issues. The volume addresses the global, historical and domestic contexts of American policy, foreign affairs government, how the constitution, presidency and congress relate to foreign affairs, foreign policy making and policy tools and alternative futures. For those interested in a thorough, up-to-date, yet concise presentation of American foreign policy.