Foreign Policy Project Name/Period______
Assignment:
Number in group-four
Each person will research two categories
Each group will give a fifteen-minute power point presentation on their research
All facts and statistics must include the sources and a Works Cited Page
Paper-Each person will write a one-page paper to be completed in class. The paper will address at least three of the following strategies in which a foreign policy strategy could be developed to combat global terrorism.
1. Unilateralism vs. Internationalism in U.S. Foreign Policy
Throughout much of American History, “unilateralism” dominated U.S. foreign policy. However, beginning with World War II, “alliances and international pacts” have become the norm. Nevertheless, a streak of unilateralism has always accompanied these international agreements. The War on Terrorism provides a good example of both elements.
-Should the United States act unilaterally if there is an imminent threat abroad? What are the advantages and disadvantages? When have we done this and what were the results?
2. The Appropriate Conduct of War and the “Endgames” of War
The Hague and Geneva Conventions of War, among other agreements, have served as a framework for U.S. behavior in wartime, during the past 50 or so years. In the “War on Terrorism,” alliances often include cultures where wartime behavior is practiced with different ground rules. Foreigners fighting for the Taliban in Afghanistan, for example, were treated as convicted terrorists and often executed by segments of the Northern Alliance (United Front). Should the U.S. change its “no-assassination” policy from the 1970s? In essence, it already has, at least since President Clinton gave orders to kill Osama bin Laden in 1998, and that task was completed during the Obama administration.
-Should the Geneva Conventions of War apply to terrorists? If so should torture be permitted if lives may be saved, especially if it is administered in other allied nations?
-Should Guantanamo be closed? If so, under what rationale? Where will the prisoners be detained?
3. Superpower Status
-What are the obligations to the world, if any, from a Superpower, especially when there are not many?
-Should it be a fully engaged world policeman?
Should it be a leader in the context of the United Nations?
Should it stop genocide?
-Should it preserve the global status quo?
Should it look after its own interests, exclusively?
Should it disengage as much as possible from military adventures? Should it seek new coalitions?
Should it embrace other powers in a new alliance, such as one including Russia and China?
4. Security and Freedom
-What is the proper balance between security and freedom?
Military tribunals (military courts) were used in the Civil War and World War II by the United States. Are they proper in the War on Terrorism?
-Compare security provisions in twentieth century U.S. wars.
-Does the executive branch wield too much power in war, or is that due to the very nature of war?
5. Culture Clash
It is the dominance of U.S. popular culture and economic influence that has so angered many other cultures and nations. The U.S. is often hated for being a “cultural imperialist.” Osama bin Laden hated the U.S. not just for its troops in Saudi Arabia (so close to Mecca and Medina), but also for simply being what it is.
The U.S. pursues policies that advance democracy and capitalism in the process of furthering U.S. interests (money/ resources) throughout the world. Yet wars make strange bedfellows. From Syria in the Gulf War, to the Northern Alliance and Pakistan in the War on Terrorism, vital U.S. interests will come before its ideological and cultural goals. Pakistan’s previous “democratic”government most advanced the Taliban.
-We at war with terrorists, not Islam, but the often prophesized “clash of civilizations” at times seems to loom large. ISIS declares a religious and cultural war. Will the U.S. be able to prevent this? If so, how?
-What are the desires of ISIS? What are their strengths and weaknesses? How would suggest we combat this element?
6. World Religions
Ignorance of the major tenets of a people’s faith can lead to faulty political, military, and cultural policies. American students (and Americans in general) need to know more about other faiths. Attacks on Sikhs in the U.S. — mistaken for Arabs and Muslims— show the depth and severity of the problem. Few Americans know about Sunni vs. Shia, or about Wahabbism. The complex connections between Jews, Christians, and Muslims need to be explored.
-How would you address this issue in this country or abroad?
7. National Missile Defense (NMD)
The Clinton Administration chose to delay NMD, in part, because of questions about its effectiveness, and in part due to international considerations. The Bush Administration was pursuing it full speed ahead at least until the September 11 attack. It has now signaled full speed ahead once again. Is NMD worth pursuing? Would it work as a defense measure against a “rogue state” such as North Korea? Does it pose a threat to Russia and China? To protect the U.S. ten years from now during a campaign such as the one in Afghanistan, NMD could offer protection to the U.S. from many countries with limited missile attack capacity. Are the political, international, and monetary costs of pursuing NMD worth it?
8. Biological, Chemical, and Other Nuclear Threats
As the anthrax terrorism has reminded Americans, security can be challenged by a variety of threats. Had the anthrax episode occurred before the September 11 attack, it might have been responded to in the manner that the Tylenol tampering or the Unibomber cases were. However, the renewed awareness of “Homeland Security” has made Americans eager to respond more forcefully.
Should all Americans receive smallpox vaccinations? Fifty suicide smallpox terrorists could infect the 50 largest urban areas in the U.S. killing millions, unless the population is vaccinated. Of course, some Americans, perhaps 700, would die of smallpox because of vaccinations. For each biological and chemical threat, a potential response can be made. How many billions should be spent on this prevention? How many vaccinations should be prepared?
Plutonium, especially in the former Soviet Union, can no longer be fully accounted for. Even a tiny dose of plutonium placed in a truck bomb, could have devastating results. This would be more deadly than the September 11 attack or the 1993 attack on the World Trade Center, if plutonium were in the bomb. Again, what would it cost and how much effort should be expended to track down stolen or unaccounted nuclear materials?
9. Post-Afghanistan Options for the War on Terrorism
The wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria are far from over. Stabilizing these nations and capturing major terrorists is a big job. How big a role should the U.S. play in and for how long?
The Al Qaeda and ISIS network reached into sixty countries including major U.S. allies and friends. This work too is not finished. Sooner or later, the President has implied that the U.S. will take Syria and North Korea before they can use weapons of mass destruction. Should the U.S. be prepared to fight more than one regional war against terrorism simultaneously? What if the U.S. attacks and loses Russian and Chinese support? If China turns up the heat on Taiwan, what military moves would come next? What is our plan for a new OPEC embargo if OPEC nations disapprove of U.S. actions?
Teaching about war is always a challenge. In a better world there would be no wars. The basic causes of war— imperialism, nationalism, imbalance of power, alliances, revenge and ideology or belief systems— can be taught, but understanding human behavior in a national, societal, cultural, or religious context is much more complex. The War on Terrorism has already posted several victories, yet no one believes that terrorism will be eradicated. Over 90% of Americans have supported this war, a testament to the fact that a direct attack on the homeland is the most elemental justification for a response. The ultimate challenge now is for students to understand the changing complexity of the war on terrorism.
Five Paragraph Paper Rubric
4 Points Three Point Thesis- Strong thesis/ three points of policy discussion.
9 Points for nine pieces of evidence.
3 Pointsfor commentary on each topic (each of the three paragraphs)
3 PointsAll sources cited in each topic paragraph
1 Point Conclusion
___/20 TotalPoints