For most of the twentieth century, the United States defined its foreign
policy in relation to the Soviet Union, as the two countries battled each other for
dominance during the Cold War. Although the two countries themselves never came to
blows, they engaged in social, political, and economic competition around the globe.
Following the collapses of the Soviet Union in 1989, many Americans began turning
their attention toward domestic policy.
This trend changed with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Since
then, foreign policy has returned to center stage, and politicians and candidates
hotly debate foreign policy issues. An old adage states that politics stops at the
water’s edge, meaning that the United States should not let political disputes
influence foreign policy. In reality, though, partisan politics have a great impact
on foreign policy.
