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Chapter 1, Orientation Minilecture

1. Explain Harold Lasswell's definition of Politics.

2. What is the "Prisoner's Dilemma" in terms of cooperation?  If you were playing a one-time game, what would your "obvious" choice be?  How would it differ if you knew you would play the "game" repeatedly?

3. Watch this West Wing clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH1bZ0F3zVU - what do you think about the Peters projection as a different way to (literally) view the world?

4. Watch this Daily Show clip on Asbestos, Canada.  (Alternative link) Should morality play a role in Canada's policy on Asbestos?

5. Explain the three "levels of analysis" of foreign policy (note: the Lamy text adds a "global" level, which I merge with "systems".

• Optional :  2006 Daily Show Clip Forced Perspective: Birth Pangs of Democracy in the Mid-East

Chapter 2 &"Why We Fight" clip & Zion's Christian Soldiers clips: all are in the chapter 2 module in Canvas

1. Explain how the traditional view of sovereignty is changing.  Explain how external and internal forces (sometimes referred to as "McWorld" and "jihad/tribalism") are weakening the power of states.  How does globalization undermine states?" 

1. In 2014, Scotland voted on the question of independence from the UK (they voted not to declare independence). How does this independence vote relate to this debate?

2. Explain the development of the international system, including the importance of the Treaty of Westphalia (1648), the Balance of Power, Cold War (bipolar) and Neo-Westphalian (modern) international systems.

3. Read this article on Russian Artctic Ambitions (for fun, watch this OPTIONAL Colbert Clip). How has global warming affected the debate over who should control the Arctic?

4. What does the Zion's Christian Soldiers (60 Minutes) clip found in Canvas illustrate about the interest group influence on foreign policy-making?

5. Watch this Colbert interview with John Mearsheimer.  What is Dr. Mearsheimer's point relate regarding non-state actors?

   • For another good example of the influence of interest groups on foreign policy, watch this Daily Show clip on the influence of AIPAC.
6. Watch the Canvas clip of "Why We Fight" on Eisenhower and the Military Industrial Complex. How does political engineering illustrate that the way we allocate military spending is NOT rational?
7. Giving examples from the 60 Minutes clip, the Mearsheimer interview and the “Why We Fight” clip, explain the influence of non-state actors on foreign policy.  In other words, how do interest groups and "political engineering" affect military spending?  
   
   

Chapter 3 & Ideologies/Paradigms lecture & Foreign Policy Lecture

1. Explain the different paradigms (world views) for studying International Relations, focusing mainly on Liberalism & Realism (we'll discuss others next week). What is the problem with the realist assumption of rationality?
2. Roesler argues that the US has often used morality to justify it's foreign policy.  Give an example of us using morality to justify a policy. Based on readings & clips (such as the Fog of War and/or the Sarah Vowell interview on the Daily Show), give an example of when we did NOT act in a moral/just manner. 
3. If we do not consistently use international institutions to solve problems but only apply morality and human rights when it suits us, would that make our policy Liberal or Realist?
4. How does Rick's character in Casablanca illustrate the traditional American foreign policy up to World War II?
5. According to McNamara, why is empathy important in negotiations?  Specifically, how did it help avert war during the Cuban Missile Crisis?  How did it fail in the case of North Vietnam?  Roesler argues that GHW Bush did not give Saddam Hussein a face-saving way to avoid the first Iraq War.  Why is this important?  Contrast that to Kennedy's approach to the Cuban Missile Crisis.
6. The Fog of War film points out that Castro was willing to accept annihilation. Why does Roesler argue that MAD is rational?
7. Read this article on Jack Bauer (The Fiction Behind Torture Policy) and explain how the media can influence US Policy. 
8. Discuss how both major parties have similar foreign policy approaches.  Use an example from either the Daily Show clip on the Obama-Romney debate and/or Trump's August 2017 announcement on sending troops to Afghanistan (start watching at 3:25 for the relevant segment) to illustrate how both parties have similar policies?
9. Based on the lecture and giving an example from the Daily Show clip (Billions & Billions), which paradigm/theory best exemplifies US foreign policy?

 Chapter 4: Theories & Paradigms (2nd half) and 2nd Lecture on US Foreign Policy AFTER 9/11

 Kiesling: Letter of Resignation & Perle: Thank God For the Death of the UN;

1. Explain the basic tenets of Marxist, Dependency Theory, and Constructionist Theories. 
2. Roesler believes that in many cases there is no agreed upon single "reality" and that people's perceptions often shape/construct their own reality. Which theory (paradigm) does this reflect? Give examples from the text & lecture of this theory.
3. Use the examples of Rwanda and Ireland to explain how constructionist theory is useful in explaining how people define enemies.  How does the US approach to the crises in Ukraine, Syria & Iraq reflect constructivism?
4. Read (or listen to) this article on Iranian nukes and explain Pillar's argument. How does constructionist theory explain Americans beliefs on which states should be allowed to have nuclear weapons? 
5. Explain Huntington's Civilizational theory.
6. Kiesling writes that"We have over the past two years done too much to assert to our world partners that narrow and mercenary U.S. interests override the cherished values of our partners. Even where our aims were not in question, our consistency is at issue. The model of Afghanistan is little comfort to allies wondering on what basis we plan to rebuild the Middle East, and in whose image and interests. Have we indeed become blind, as Russia is blind in Chechnya, as Israel is blind in the Occupied Territories, to our own advice, that overwhelming military power is not the answer to terrorism?" and "Laws, treaties, organizations, and shared values sets limits on our foes far more effectively than it ever constrained America’s ability to defend its interests." What does Kiesling mean? Would his point of view be more reflective of Realism or Liberalism?
7. Richard Perle, one of the architects of the US invasion of Iraq, argues that : " As we sift the debris, it will be important to preserve, the better to understand, the intellectual wreckage of the liberal conceit of safety through international law administered by international institutions." What does he mean? Would his point of view be more reflective of Realism or Liberalism?
8. What was the debate between Powell and Wolfowitz at Camp David in September 2001 (from DC 9/11 clip)?  Do you think the Bush doctrine harmed our soft power?
   
9. How do the wars in Iraq, Vietnam and Afghanistan illustrate the difficulty of measuring power (a key component of Realpolitik). 
10. Is national interest an objective (measurable and clear to everyone) or subjective? What was the US' national interest (if any) in attacking Iraq preemptively?
11. Read this quote from President G.H.W. Bush.  What was President GHW Bush's reason for NOT invading Iraq in 1990? Do you agree with his decision? (http://hnn.us/articles/631.html#bush1998)
12. Based on the Lecture, what were the biggest problems with the invasion and occupation of Iraq? Some (like professor Roesler)  have argued that the Iraq war was a mistake from the start while others supported President Bush but argue that the war was badly mishandled.  Would you have invaded Iraq in 2003?  If so, what would you have done differently?  Be sure to watch the following: http://www.cc.com/video-clips/ji6e3k/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-rajiv-chandrasekaran  
13. In some ways, Trump has continued the policies of his predecessors.  However, Roesler argues that Trump seems to have a civilizational worldview.  How would that explain his foreign policy? Which theory do YOU think best explains Trump's policies so far?

Ch. 5: Conventional and Unconventional War

1. Briefly explain the three levels of analysis on the causes of war.  
2.  Clausewitz argued that war was a continuation of diplomacy by other means. What does he mean?
3. Based on Pape, Explain the link between nationalism and terrorism.
4. Read/listen to this NPR article on Stuxnet.   How is it a "game-changer?" Was it worth using it against Iran?  Is this the future of warfare?
5. Watch this Allison Stanger interview and explain the problems with using private contractors to fight our wars, especially in Afghanistan 
6. Discuss the concerns with Economic and Cultural globalization.
7. What is fundamentalism?  Roesler argues that fundamentalism is more common among "vulnerable populations" who feel that they are "under siege".  Explain.  Do you agree?
8. According to the lecture, what is terrorism?  Why does Roesler argue that the Fort Hood attack in 2009  was NOT terrorism, even if Major Nasan was under direct orders from Osama Bin Laden?  (note: the same logic applies for the attack on the Cole)
9. What does Pape's research tell us about the motivations of terrorists?  How does this Colbert interview of Michael Scheuer reflect this persepective?
1. How does the US drone program fit with Scheuer's argument? 

• For an interesting (optional) perspective on terrorist bureaucracy and criticism of a "Lazy Terrorist", read this article 

Read "Lifting the Veil..." by Munson, watch the NOW interview of Barber on Fear's Empire (there's a shorter version on Canvas) & the Michael Scheuer interview on Colbert

1. Explain the two "hypotheses" that Munson gives for explaining why Muslims hate the US.  Which one does Munson argue is the reason for hostility towards us?  Explain his reasoning. 
2. What does Barber mean when he says that "radical religion is normal religion under seige?"
3. Ben Barber discusses Bin Laden's "Jujitsu."   How does he believe  the US should stop terrorism?
4. Watch this Colbert clip on the TSA screening (a short version is in the lecture)  (or you can read Goldberg's blog of the search of his "resistance").  Many experts argue that this is not likely to be effective since there are easy ways to thwart the technique.  How does this fit with Barber's argument on Bin Laden's jujitsu?  For a fun look at this topic, watch this Colbert clip on Ideal or No Ideal.

Ch6: Power, Deterrence & Diplomacy (watch both lectures for ch6)

Clips: Watch the "Fog of War clip: Reexamening our reasoning" (Lesson 8 & 11) & "Proportionality"

1. Look at the chart on "World Arms Exports" on this website: who are the top 3 arms exporters? How does this relate to this Colbert clip on US exports.
2. With regard to nuclear proliferation, what arguments could you make to support the claim that “more is better?"
3. What are the rules of effective diplomacy? Did the US fail to meet any of them in Iraq? 
4. What did Frederick the Great mean when he said that Diplomacy without arms is like Music without Instruments?
5. Watch the Daily Show’s “Big Bang Treaty”.  How Radical is Obama's approach to nuclear weapons?
6. Based on the proportionality clip from Fog of War, are there rules of war or only victor's justice?
7. What is the "fog of war?"  What are the problems with using cost-benefit analysis to justify war?  Do we accurately predict all that will happen once a war starts?
8. In the "Fog of War," what did McNamara mean when he said that "if we can't persuade nations of comparable values of the merit of our cause, we better reexamine our reasoning." How might that have applied to the US invasion of Iraq? 
9. What did the lecture & clips illustrate about US ideals in foreign policy? In other words, is our foreign policy actions based on the ideal of promoting democracy or is our policy promoting our self-interest?  How does his Daily Show clip on "US Freedom Packages"  relate to this?
10. Discuss the US approach to Iraq and/or Libya. Was our military intervention able to create stable regimes?  How would the "Fog of War" explain our inability to predict what would happen when we toppled Saddam or Qaddafi?
11. Should the US help topple the Assad in Syria and/or the leadership in Iran?
12. What is "soft power"?  According to the John Oliver clip, what has happened to US soft power during the Trump presidency? Give an example of how Trump's own agenda (terrorism in Africa; containing North Korea; NATO members spend more) is hurt by Trump's America First agenda.
13. Read the Barry Posen's article: Pullback: http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/138466/barry-r-posen/pull-back  Discuss his argument for US disengagement.  Do you agree?

Mid-term study tips:

• Be sure to review all the quizzes.  A significant number of questions (both multiple choice and short answer) will come directly from the quizzes.
• In addition, there will be 4-6 short essays (1/2 - 1 page long) on the Midterm.  They will come from a variety of topics, but be sure to focus on the following: 
• ethnic self-determination
• problems with the invasion of Iraq
• Afghanistan pullout
• Barry Posen's article
• Stuxnet
• McWorld and Tribalism
• Fog of War
• Kiesling and Perle letters

Note:  There may be other short answer or essay questions, but studying the questions in the study guide related to these topics will help you on the exam.  These are the general topics that may be covered.  For more detailed questions that might be asked, review the questions in the chapters above.

END OF MIDTERM MATERIAL 

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