The post-Cold War diplomacy of the United States evolved in stages that
reflected changes in the international system. Through the 1990s, the
nation's foreign affairs were marked by an evolution away from the
post-World War II focus on security and superpower competition to a more
multifaceted and nuanced series of policies that included economic
concerns, social and cultural issues, and environmental matters.
However, an escalating series of terrorist attacks that culminated in
the 11 September 2001 strikes on New York and Washington, D.C. led to
the reemergence of security as the main foreign policy issue for the
United States. The subsequent American-led "war on terror" mirrored the
Cold War in its goals, and the administration of President George W.
Bush endeavored to build a multinational counterterrorism coalition that
paralleled the Western alliance of the bipolar era. The Historical
Dictionary of U.S. Diplomacy Since the Cold War is a concise overview of
the main figures, conflicts, events, and policies of the United States
in the post-Cold War era. The study explores the main elements of U.S.
foreign policy and the regional and international reaction to American
policies from the presidency of George H. W. Bush to that of George W.
Bush. Through its entries, the book analyzes the underlying themes of
U.S. diplomacy and the new policies formulated and implemented in
response to broad changes in global politics. The book includes a
chronology of events from 1991 to 2007, an introduction that highlights
important themes of the era, cross-referenced entries on significant
topics, a detailed bibliography, and appendixes of major documents. The
work is ideal for both public and academic libraries, the general
public, or the specialist looking for a reference tool in this area.
