The end of the Cold War in 1989 raised questions as to what role the United States is pursuing in the post-Cold War era. For a while, the US was apparently the world's predominant remaining superpower, but this position has now been challenged by the rise of China. This module seeks to examine the contemporary foreign and security policy of the United States, how policy is formulated and what historical and cultural influences underpin it. For students concentrating on international relations, comprehending the substance and processes of America’s international and security policies is essential. For those of you concentrating on politics modules, The United States Foreign Policy in the Post-Cold War Era affords you the opportunity to study an important aspect of United States government and politics.