"Global Agenda 2002"
Writing Assignment #1H
"Jihad!"
Due: Wednesday, February 20
Preamble:
Imagine yourself the National Security Adviser for a new U.S. President. His election campaign was almost exclusively devoted to domestic issues. He has a reputation for little knowledge about foreign affairs, and has never given a speech on terrorism.
The new President summons you to the oval office, barraging you with questions: "Why did this happen? Who would do this to us? How should we respond? I want answers &endash; NOW!"
You realize the President needs to be brought up to speed quickly with a concise primer on international terrorism.
Write:
Using resources available on the Global Agenda web site,
and others you find, write a 4-5 page briefing memo addressed to
the President. You can't dwell on past history. Nor is the
President going to sit still for a list of every terrorist
incident which has occurred. But the President does need to know
something of the background of international terrorism before he
answers questions from the news media at a press conference in
just three hours.
You decide to answer these questions &endash; and others you might add &endash; in your memo:
Alternative writing form: If you wish, you may write your paper as a "transcript" of the conversation you have with the President in the oval office, in which you answer his barrage of questions.
Things to remember: