This revision to their classic text is much more than a simple update. Careful editing and streamlining of key chapters keep the book relevant and accessible, while placing recent events in their proper perspective.

Key revisions include:

- Previously separate chapters on U.S. relations with the developing world and U.S. involvement in Vietnam have been combined to show the collision of East- West and North-South relations.

- Chapters on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are thoroughly updated.

- Full treatment is given to the current economic crisis.

- A new concluding chapter makes note of the changing of the guard from Bush to the Obama administration, and looks ahead to Obama′s leadership, strategic goals, and policy initiatives.

Students will also find abundant resources in new or updated tables, figures, and maps, as well as a robust set of appendixes and end-of-chapter materials, including a chronology of world events and annotated web resources.