With the end of the Cold War, U.S. presidential leadership has become both more important and more difficult. Post-war periods have historically posed challenges to leadership, and this time around the long-time image of the Oleader of the free worldO has declined in the face of globalization and increased interdependence among nations. It is exactly this complex environment that makes Americans look ever more to their president for guidance. This accessibly-written volume discusses socio-cultural, political, and economic changes during and after the Cold War period and how these have affected modern presidential leadership. Prominent contributors cover key issues_image and character, domestic and foreign policy, distraction theory, domestic and international economics, executive/legislative relations, security/intelligence, executive dominance, and activist government_and suggest strategies for helping to ensure a strong presidency in the future.