Edward R. Drachman is Associate Professor of Political Science at the State University of New York, College at Geneseo. He is the author of Challenging the Kremlin: The Soviet Jewish Movement for Freedom, 1967–1990 and United States Policy Toward Vietnam. Alan Shank is Chair and Professor of Political Science at State University of New York, College at Geneseo. He is coeditor (with Martin Fausold) of The Constitution and the American Presidency, also published by SUNY Press, and author of Presidential Policy Leadership: Kennedy and Social Welfare.

"Edward Drachman and Alan Shank have created superb case studies of controversial presidential decisions. The case study approach isn't new: what is exciting is the pedagogy they employ—the countdown approach. These cases are forward looking rather than retrospective: they describe each issue the president faced as it unfolded, and as it presented itself to the White House and the nation for decision."The countdown approach to controversial presidential decisions is a major contribution to our understanding of presidential decision-making in foreign policy, not only for undergraduate and graduate students, but also for the general reader who wishes a better understanding of how presidents decide, and how their decisions affect our national interest. Drachman and Shank have produced a truly propaedeutic work: a study that ought to precede the reading of other analytical and theoretical approaches to presidential decision-making in foreign policy." — Richard M. Pious, from the Foreword"This book is well written, well organized, up-to-date, and provides a longitudinal view. Clearly intended for classroom use, it is interesting to read and covers a significant topic." — Barbara Kellerman, coauthor of The President as World Leader

• Foreword by Richard M. Pious Preface Introduction Chapter 1 President Truman's Decision Not to Extend Diplomatic Recognition to the People's Republic of China Chapter 2 President Eisenhower's Decision to Oppose the British-French-Israeli Invasion of Suez Chapter 3 President Kennedy's Decision to Support the Bay of Pigs Invasion Chapter 4 President Johnson's Decision to End the U.S. Escalation of the Vietnam War Chapter 5 President Nixon's Decision to Order an Incursion into Cambodia Chapter 6 President Ford's Decision to Intervene in the Angolan Civil War Chapter 7 President Carter's Decision to Boycott the 1980 Summery Olympic Games in Moscow Chapter 8 President Reagan's Decision to Bomb Libya Chapter 9 President Bush's Decision to End the Persian Gulf War at 100 Hours Chapter 10 President Clinton's Decision to Use Military Force to Restore President Aristide to Office in Haiti Appendix A Case Study Structure for Analyzing Controversial Presidential Foreign Policy Decisions Appendix B Suggested Topics for Additional Controversial Presidential Foreign Policy Decisions Appendix C Student Evaluation of Controversial Presidential Foreign Policy Decisions Index