Course analyzes the impact political leaders have on international relations by examining case studies of specific decisions dealing with events of international importance over the past 3 decades, including end of the Cold War; the Falklands War; the unification of Germany; the Gulf War; the Soviet Union collapse; restoring Russian power, the decision to invade Iraq. Considers styles of leadership by American and Russian presidents and provides a basis for comparing the styles of other leaders analyzed. Considers such questions as similarities/differences in qualities of leadership in different societies, extent to which leaders are victims of circumstance, and degree to which decisions can change things.