Two of the most respected figures in American foreign policy are Zbigniew Brzezinski and Brent Scowcroftboth former National Security Advisors under markedly different administrations. In America and the World they dissect, in spontaneous and unscripted conversations moderated by David Ignatius, the most significant foreign policy challenges facing the U.S.: the Middle East, Russia, China, Europe, the Developing World, the changing nature of power in a globalized world, and what Brzezinski has called the “global political awakening.” While one author is a Republican and the other a Democrat, they broadly agree on the need to adapt to a new international environment. Where they disagree, their exchanges are always both deeply informed and provocative.

America and the World will define the center of responsible opinion on American foreign policy at a time when the nations decisions could determine how long it remains a superpower.

“..had Sarah Palin read this handy primer before the election, she might have had more to talk about than the view of Russia. The rest of America should read it now to understand what lies before us.”

Brent Scowcroft is President of The Scowcroft Group, an international business and financial advisory firm. He served as National Security Advisor to two presidents and as Military Assistant to President Nixon. He is the co-author, with former President George H.W. Bush, of A World Transformed. He lives in Washington, D.C.

The journalist and novelist David Ignatius is an associate editor at the Washington Post, where he writes a twice-weekly column, and also the co-host (with Fareed Zakaria) of PostGlobal on WashingtonPost.com. He lives in Washington, D.C.