American Foreign Policy Since 1991
Introduction The United States has been the world’s only superpower since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. In some ways it is more difficult to manage foreign policy without concentrating on one big rival. The United States is vastly stronger in military strength than any possible coalition of enemy forces. But since 9/11 we are feeling less secure despite huge military and domestic security expenditures. Our military and national security expenditures of around $1.1 trillion are greater than the military expenditures of next ten countries combined (and most are allies). This is a consequence of a professional military, a result of eliminating conscription after the Vietnam War, and the highly technical (capital intensive) nature of American military forces and strategy. There is almost no national debate on U.S. military interventions in other countries. One reason is that most Americans have no direct involvement; they see the professional m