Since the end of the Cold War, and more recently since September 11, 2001, relations between the United States and Russia have reached new levels of cooperation and accommodation. At the same time, many important developments in Russia remain cloaked by government intrigue or obscured by the complexity of Russia's political and cultural past. This…

Since the end of the Cold War, international relations has radically changed. The collapse of the Soviet Union took with it the East-West conflict that dominated world affairs for more than four decades. In its place, the North-South division has emerged as an important framework for reconceptualizing international relations. How the United States…

This publication's lead article features the United Nations' (UN) 50th anniversary, examining how effective the UN has been since it superceded the League of Nations, how the UN has grown, and how well it has supported peacekeeping operations and humanitarian policies in the world. Other topics for discussion included in this volume are: nuclear…

This unit of study allows students and teachers to step back from the confusing media reports of the day-to-day turmoil in the former Soviet Union (FSU) and to examine it from a more thoughtful vantage point. The unit focuses on the most important instrument of U.S. policy toward the FSU--economic assistance. At the core of the unit are four…

With the improvement of U.S.-Soviet relations in recent years, there is much reason to take a fresh look at U.S. foreign policy. This unit provides secondary students with an opportunity to examine U.S. policy toward the Caribbean and Central America. Composed of four chapters, the first chapter examines the economic and military concerns that…

This resource packet is designed to provide teachers and civic educators with an understanding of the making of U.S. foreign policy. The materials may be used as the basis for classes and programs to teach about foreign policy and cover such topics as: (1) how foreign policy is made in the United States; (2) the role of the president, the…

This packet contains student materials and a teacher's guide. The materials engage students in the leading issues driving the current immigration debate. Students explore background materials and debate policy options as to what the U.S. immigration policy should be. The student booklet contains background essays on: (1) "The Role of Immigration…

Eight selected U.S. foreign policy issues are explored in this study and discussion guide. Issue 1, "U.S. Foreign Policy: Projecting U.S. Influence," describes United States involvement in diplomacy, military power, intelligence, trade, and foreign aid since World War II. U.S.-Mexico relations are considered in issue 2, "Mexico and…

Offers learning activities on South Africa, which help students gain background information on South Africa's culture, history, and geography; examine United States foreign policy toward South Africa; conduct community research on United States involvement with South Africa; confront different life styles of individuals living in South Africa; and…

Designed to help students understand the challenges and opportunities facing relations between the United States and the former Soviet Union, this book is organized into four chapters. Chapter 1 explores the differing world views of the two superpowers and the major elements that make up those world views--including geography, economics, and…

This unit for U.S. history courses examines a number of questions raised by U.S.-Cuban relations beginning with the Spanish-American War of 1898 and ending with the missile crisis 64 years later. These questions are on such topics as the appropriate U.S. stance toward a nationalistic reform movement, a social revolution, and a military build up in…

These texts are part of a continuing series on current and historical international issues, placing special emphasis on the importance of educating students in their participatory role as citizens. They evaluate the U.S. relationship with poor countries, particularly the effectiveness of foreign aid, trade benefits, and other economic levers; and…

This unit examines the economic and military concerns that have linked the Caribbean and Central America to the United States. The first section of the first booklet reviews the history of U.S. involvement in the region from the mid-1800s to the early 1960s. Part 2 focuses on the Cuban missile crisis of 1962 and presents a day-by-day account of…

These materials explore the decisions that face the United States as a result of the changes in the past decade in the countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. The background readings allow students to examine such questions of values and foreign policy as: (1) Should the United States remain committed to its Western European…

This packet contains student materials and a teacher's resource book. The materials present students with many of the same questions vexing U.S. policy makers in their dealings with China. Students explore background materials and debate policy options as to what relations with China should be. The student booklet contains background essays for…