US Influence/Rise Emerg Power

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

Is U.S. influence on world affairs on the wane? Twenty-five years after the fall of the Soviet Union, the international system is in transition from what was a uni-polar world to one with a still-leading world power – the United States – and emerging would-be global powers led by China, India, and a resurgent Russia. The United States is still viewed by many as the indispensable nation, but must work more collaboratively to accomplish its goals, from tackling climate change to containing Iran’s nuclear program. This course will examine the effectiveness of U.S. foreign policy in relation to these emerging powers. How has U.S. policy toward the Russian annexation of Crimea, China's construction of islands in the South China Sea, and other events affected U.S. influence more broadly? What was the impact of the global financial crisis and resulting U.S. budget cuts? Students will be asked to evaluate the impact of these policies on the Unites States' long-term strategic and economic interests. The instructor is a career U.S. Foreign Service Officer who was most recently posted to India.