Foreword
Although the crisis in the financial sector became the focalpoint of the 2008 presidential election, international issues — including twoAmerica-led wars in the Middle East — havepolarized the electorate and led to contentious disagreements between the twopolitical parties. While the United States’military operation in Iraq,now in its sixth year, is presiding over relative reductions in violence, thewar in Afghanistan,now entering its eighth year, is growing more intense. There is a simmeringconflict between Russia and Georgia, turmoil in global oil markets, a debateover global warming, and unrest in Pakistan. Given these and othersignificant challenges worldwide — including the rise of China…
