No nation has maintained such an immense stature in world politics as the United States has since the Cold War's end. In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, prompting the global war on terrorism and the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, along with American economic and "soft power" primacy, there has been increased interest in and scrutiny of American foreign policy. The Routledge Handbook of American Foreign Policy brings together leading experts in the field to examine current trends in the way scholars study the history and theories of American conduct in the world, analysis of state and non-state actors and their tools in conducting policy, and the dynamics of a variety of pressing transnational challenges facing the United States. This volume provides a systematic overview of all aspects of American foreign policy and drives the agenda for further, cutting edge research. Contributors bring analytic depth and breadth to both the ways in which this subject is approached and the substance of policy formulation and process. The Handbook is an invaluable resource to students, researchers, scholars, and journalists trying to make sense of the broader debates in international relations.

No nation has maintained such an immense stature in world politics as the United States has since the Cold War's end. In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, prompting the global war on terrorism and the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, along with American economic and "soft power" primacy, there has been increased interest in and scrutiny of American foreign policy. The Routledge Handbook of American Foreign Policy brings together leading experts in the field to examine current trends in the way scholars study the history and theories of American conduct in the world, analysis of state and non-state actors and their tools in conducting policy, and the dynamics of a variety of pressing transnational challenges facing the United States. This volume provides a systematic overview of all aspects of American foreign policy and drives the agenda for further, cutting edge research. Contributors bring analytic depth and breadth to both the ways in which this subject is approached and the substance of policy formulation and process. The Handbook is an invaluable resource to students, researchers, scholars, and journalists trying to make sense of the broader debates in international relations.

Today's seminary and religious-education instructors are expected to design and redesign their courses more nimbly than in the past. We have to adapt our courses to novel learning environments, for more diverse learners, toward more diverse vocations. At the same time, institutional rewards for time invested in course design are fewer than ever. Understanding Bible by Design introduces the reader to UbD: an approach to course design that is proven time-efficient and grounded in the instructor's most closely-held convictions about her subject matter's "big ideas and essential questions." This book's contributors (one in Old Testament, one in New Testament, and one in Jewish Studies) demonstrate the value of UbD for the Biblical Studies instructor, whether at seminary or university, face-to-face or online, from the intimate seminar to the massive MOOC. Lester's synopsis of course design and suggested action is followed by a collaborative dialogue with Jane S. Webster and Christopher M. Jones. Webster and Jones provide practical commentary regarding the successful implementation of Lester's proposed approaches.

After reading this book, I would like you to envision yourself in an Albino person's world. The next time you are at a restaurant, imagine having trouble just trying to read the menu. Or imagine yourself in a classroom struggling to read what the teacher is writing on the board. Just imagine trying so hard to see that your concentration is broken, and the problems start to multiply. You aren't seeing and you can't listen for trying to see and listen. Consequently, imagine being placed in Special Education because the teacher just doesn't know how to teach you or doesn't have or take the time to address your special needs. Imagine being told you won't make it. Then look how far I've come Think of how you started out to meet new people and how you tried to make friends. Imagine how other people perceived you as a whole/regular person This is something that haunts me on a daily basis, but with perseverance and self-motivation, and the encouragement of a few, I have been able to overcome. This book is not just a story of an individual. This is a story about having faith to overcome obstacles. Now, when I envision my struggles and hardships, I can see the challenges that I have had to overcome just to make it along my pathway. In spite of my vision, I have had to look beyond my obstacles to endure in a world without limits. I have learned to live my life like the wind, to speed up when necessary, and to know when to slow down. I have had to slow down when life pushed so hard and fast that even my consumption of air felt uncertain. I had to slow down when I couldn't see where I was going or from where I was coming. I had to stop and realize what I had in front of me. So it is when you cannot find what you're looking for or what you want in someone else; you must look inside yourself. Don't sweat the small things, and make the best of the big things. Cherish the experiences you've had, and use the lessons you've learned. Our lives are rubber bands, bending and stretching to fit even the most awkward situations. You can adapt to anything, regardless of its size or shape. You just have to realize and use what you have in your own hands and persevere.

The world seems to be on the brink as tensions in the Middle East are escalating daily. Russia is strengthening its ties with China, North Korea, Syria and Iran arming them with sophisticated military weaponry. Russia is building up its armed forces, returning to Cold War military tactics, including reopening ports used by the former Soviet Union. Tensions between Israel and Iran have never been higher with each nation poised to strike against the other in a moment's notice. Iran's nuclear ambition is well documented and is becoming a menace on the International stage. With Israel's very existence at stake, a preemptive strike against Iran's Russian built nuclear facilities is not out of the realm of possibility. A preemptive strike by Israel could provoke a retaliatory response by Russia and her allies. It seems that in a moment's notice the events described in Ezekiel 38 & 39 could break out right before our eyes...or is it? For many years, contemporary prophecy writers have been telling us that we are living in the last days and the Gog and Magog alliance is one sure sign that the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ are near. However, there is strong biblical evidence that the candidate often identified as Gog, Russia, may not in fact be the candidate that Ezekiel was referring too. Using the Bible as a guide, we can figure out who this obscure person is instead of using today's newspapers. With a long history of well documented failed predictions by contemporary prophecy writers, maybe it's time that we begin to reevaluate today's popular interpretation of Ezekiel 38 & 39 in light of the Bible. Author's Bio: Christopher Jones is the church administrator for Faith Community Worship Center located in the San Francisco Bay Area where he also preaches part-time.