COMM/POSC444-080
“Global Agenda 2005”

Writing Assignment #5-H
Final Assignment
Due: Wednesday, May 18, 2005 3:30pm

Preamble:
It’s May, 2005. You are the national security adviser to President Bush.

This semester, you have observed a variety of “practitioners” of foreign affairs, all involved in some way dealing with the challenges facing U.S. foreign policy. 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 Mr. Bush 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:
At a hastily-cal led meeting in the White House Situation Room, you and John Negroponte report to the President that the ballistic missile fired toward Japan on May 1 carried a weapon payload. Negroponte isn’t sure whether it was a nuclear payload. The missile (and its payload) sank embarrassingly in the ocean; there was no explosion.

During the meeting, an aide hands Negroponte a slip of paper. He pauses, frowns, looks up, and reveals that there is more evidence of nuclear technology trade between North Korea and Iran, which is developing its own nuclear capability.

The President asks for advice. He knows the Pentagon is fully engaged in battling insurgents and attempting to build democracy in Iran’s neighbor, Iraq. The Arab and Muslim worlds are already skeptical (to put it diplomatically) of U.S. intelligence capability and of U.S. goals. And North Korea has been snubbing its nose at U.S. efforts to engage China in diplomatic moves to slow the nuclear spread in northeast Asia.

Mr. Bush wants recommendations by the end of today. You draft a memo to the President. For months now, you’ve read about these problems and have had advice from many experts, including (but not limited to):

  • 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

Write your memo to Mr. Bush, not so much recounting events as synthesizing what you have discovered about dealing with the challenges confronting America’s foreign policy. How have these practitioners affected your thinking, your understanding of the problem at hand? How have they influenced your understanding of how the U.S. must not only deal with the problem, but also relate U.S. actions to a world of nations with other interests? Remember: this is a confidential memo to President Bush; you’re encouraged to reveal candidly any “surprises” you’ve encountered along the way and to indicate how these practitioners confirmed or refuted your own preconceptions. Draw on common or contrasting themes you discovered in your readings and as you met the visiting speakers in the “Rx for the President” series.

Use specific examples from our speakers, your readings and our classes and 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.

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

  • Aim for about 5-7 pages.
  • This is a “think piece,” an analytical essay. There are no “right answers.”
  • 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).