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Recent developments in world politics and economics suggest that we are entering a period of considerable uncertainty and disorder--rising tensions between the United States and Russia, potential conflicts with China, confusion in the Middle East, fundamentalist ideologies, weapons proliferation, slow economic growth in the Western world, etc. Yet, many positive features are also emerging--economic success in Asia, democratic stability in major areas (India, Indonesia, Latin America), progress in parts of Africa, big advances in literacy and communications, and new energy sources, among others. Are these contrasting features symbolic of a time of transition? Will destructive or creative impulses--revolution or renewal--dominate the next decade? How will this affect the global balance of power? Can the U.S. remain number one? Will the Chinese challenge fade or flourish? Will the Middle East explode as Sunni/Shia and Arab/non-Arab conflicts rise? What is the future of Israel? Who will be winners and losers as this age of uncertainty unfolds? This course examines these and other key questions in the context of current world affairs.
