With an in-depth look at sixteen contemporary issues ranging from conflict and terrorism to human rights and the developing world, this proven reader takes on important, timely questions. To facilitate sound analysis, each of these reports explores who the players are, what’s at stake, and why recognizing past and current developments is so crucial to the future. Each chapter also includes the following special features: a pro/con box that examines two competing sides of a single issue question; a detailed chronology; an annotated bibliography and Web resources; plus photos, charts, graphs, and maps.

Conflict, Security, and Terrorism
1. Rise in Counterinsurgency
2. Separatist Movements
3. U.S. Policy on Iran
4. Radical Islam in Europe

Human Rights
5. The Torture Debate
6. Crisis in Darfur
7. Women’s Rights
8. Human Rights in China

Health and the Environment
9. Global Food Crisis
10. Energy Nationalism
11. Oil Jitters

Democratization
12. Dealing with the “New” Russia
13. The New Latin America
14. Afghanistan on the Brink

International Political Economy
15. The New Europe
16. China in Africa

“As a supplementary reader for introductory courses in international relations, there is nothing better than Global Issues. Each of the succeeding volumes has dealt with key areas of contemporary world politics, and the articles are very well-written and go in depth on the issues they address. My students have reacted very positively to my use of this book, and I cannot praise it enough.”

- Stephen A. Garrett, Monterey Institute of International Studies