In this review, the author explores various perspectives on language issues in political contexts, not least because languages have been prominent recently on the political agenda both in the UK and the US. She reviews articles that highlight different ways in which political pressures and contexts influence language teaching, learning and use. The author was particularly struck by Claire Kramsch's recent article, entitled "Post-9/11: Foreign Languages between Knowledge and Power", which sets language teaching and research in a global political context.