Global Agenda 2004 - Final Assignment 5

Preamble:

This semester, you have observed a variety of “practitioners” of foreign affairs, all involved in some way with the issue of assessing and dealing with threats to the United States. Each is involved in somewhat different aspects, each with a unique perspective. You have had a chance to hear them talk and to interact with them about their professions and their lives, as well as about the substance of their work.

At the same time, you’ve lived through a period of changing assessments of the international scene after both the September 11, 2001 and the Iraq War 2003 episodes.

Write:

For the past several months, you have assembled a “blue ribbon panel” of experts to help you sort through the complex subject:(over)

a former U.S. Defense Secretary
an internationally respected weapons inspector for the U.S. and the UN
an intelligence expert on northeast Asia
a former negotiator on arms control issues
a top media professional from the Arab world
an American diplomat involved with “public diplomacy”
a top UN expert on the Arab and Muslim worlds
a prominent ambassador to the U.S. from one of America’s closest, and most prickly, European friends
an analyst of global threats whose work is sought by intelligence agencies in Washington and elsewhere
and a professor/journalist who has covered foreign affairs for many years and has observed on news media and public interaction with these international issues

From each one, you’ve heard a litany of claims and criticisms of how the United States defines and confronts its enemies.

Review your notes and the comments of our speakers. Compile a list of “recommendations” based on their advice.

Who are the “enemies” of the United States? How are they similar to – or different from those of the past?
Should anything change about the way the United States confronts those enemies?
Has anything surprised you about your survey of “enemies” this semester? Has that changed your view of how Americans should think about “enemies?”
How are these advisers consistent in some ways? Inconsistent?
You may have other questions you choose to explore in your recommendations.

Use specific examples from our speakers, our readings and our classes, including your informal conversations with our speakers. Remember that webcasts of most of our speakers are available via the course web site, should you wish to review their remarks or obtain direct quotes.

This is a list of recommendations. You may choose to group your recommendations any way you wish. Keep them sharp, clear, concise. Consider “headlines” followed by one or two paragraphs of explanation. If there are conflicts, you will want to make clear who recommends which and why

Aim for about 5-7 pages.

You need not use formal source citations. But if you wish to do so, you may.