The period between 1917 and 1989 is often portrayed as having given American Presidents a greater reign to oversee and determine foreign policy ; coinciding with an increase in US international responsibilities and the advent of nuclear deterrence. Since the end of the Cold War, Congress has been actively reasserting its traditional predominance over the Executive in this matter, suggesting a return to the situation as it was at the turn of the 20th century. By contrast with that period, uncertainties today over what is defined as the 'national interest', the litmus test for American intervention abroad, demand that significant efforts be mobilized in the study of American international politics in order to understand American foreign policy.

This content is published in French - Politique étrangère et politique intérieure aux Etats-Unis : la parenthèse du XXe siècle ?