Wednesday, February 25, 2015

President Obama's ISIS Strategy

In early September, President Obama outlined to the American public his administration's plans to help "degrade" and "destroy" ISIS in the Middle East.

There are two main questions we want to answer regarding this issue:
1. What, specifically, is the President's plan?
2. Is it working?

The first question should be relatively easy to answer. You need to begin by watching (use your earbuds) his address to the American people that explains the rationale for US involvement, the complexities of the conflict, and the US plans for military and diplomatic action. As you watch, please take notes over specific plans that the President outlines.




Vox also has an excellent overview of the President's six point plan.

President Obama Lays Out His Strategy to Destroy ISIS

You can also read about the President's speech here.

Discussion Questions:
1. What part of the President's plan do you think will be the most effective or is the most important?
2. Which part of the plan do you think is the most difficult to implement?
3. Do you agree with the President's proposals? Too little or too much US military involvement?
4. What, if anything, should the US do in addition?



The more difficult question is assessing the effectiveness of the President's plan. It has been nearly six months since he outlined his plan. What, if anything, has changed? We will address and evaluate that question tomorrow.

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