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 problems confronting 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 adjustment in national politics, with a president beginning a second term by focusing on domestic issues (social security, immigration). Meanwhile, the president is facing challenges in the second year of one war (Iraq), the third year of the Afghanistan reconstruction, a fifth year of dealing with nuclear threats from Iran and North Korea, and continuing concerns about terrorism and “homeland security.”
Write:
For the past several months, you have assembled a “blue ribbon panel” of experts to help you sort through the complex subject:
- a journalist expert on the Arab and Muslim worlds
- a prominent ambassador to the U.S. from one of America’s closest European friends
- a top media professional with on-the-ground experience in the Iraq war
- an internationally respected expert and activist on the role of women in conflict situations
- an analyst of global threats and military responses whose work is sought by intelligence agencies in Washington and elsewhere
- a U.S. diplomat and expert on northeast Asia
- 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 international challenges.Review your notes and the comments of our speakers. Compile a list of “recommendations” to President Bush for dealing with global challenges, 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 problems in the world?
- Has anything surprised you about your survey of international affairs this semester? Has that changed your view of how Americans should think about these issues?
- 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, course readings and our classes, including your own 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.
- Early submission of your paper is welcome.
- Electronic submissions are preferred, but paper submissions are OK.
- All papers are due at 3:30pm Wednesday May 18, either in my email inbox or at the Communication Department office (250 Pearson Hall).