THE EMERGING DOCTRINE OF THE UNITED STATES

By: George Friedman

Published: Stratfor, October 12, 2012; www.stratfor.com Alternatively,just google the title and writer’s name.

Level of Difficulty: ****

BEFORE YOU READ

It is suggested that you watch a few videos on current American foreign policy and take some notes before tackling the text.

QUESTIONS

1. What does “it” refer to in the phrase “it is real”  at the end of paragraph 1? Be explicit.
2. What do the threats listed in paragraph 2 have in common?
3. What does “such a prospect” in the phrase “even though such a prospect appears possible” in paragraph 3 refer to?
4. In hindsight, the US might have been wrong to topple Saddam Hussein for the following two reasons: ....................................................................................................................................
5. How did Iran benefit from the conflict?
6. The writer says that at the beginning the US wanted to stay out of the conflict in Libya despite the arguments of the French because ...........................................................................
7. The US later went back on this policy of noninterference for fear of .........................................
8. What pipe-dream was seen to be wrong as a result of Libya and Iraq?
9. Campaigns designed to topple brutal dictators can ultimately negatively impact the US because .......................................................................................................................................
10. The Us is declining to interevene in Syria specifically because ...................................................
11. What change in the status quo in the Middle East does the US not desire?
12. What, in the US view, would make intervention by Turkey or Saudi Arabia more Practicle?
13. Efforts to resolve the conflict in Syria have reached a stale mate bacause ...................................................................................................................................................
14. We understand from paragraph 14 that ............................................... is a last resort for the US.
15. What does “this doctrine” in the phrase “if maintained, this doctrine will force the world...” in paragraph16 refer to?
16. What is the contradiction in the attitude of many to the new US doctrine?
17. What does “this” refer to in the sentence “This is a maturation of US policy not a degredation.”?
18. This change in US foreign policy is taking place due to the fact that  the Us is .....................
19. What exactly is it that “will upset the international system, especially US allies”
20. Read the last two paragraphs. Will the next president of the US  continue such a foreign policy or revert to the former one? How do you know?

WRITING TASK

To what extent do you support the change in US foreign policy? Discuss. Refer back to the text and the notes you made while watching videos.

THE EMERGING DOCTRINE OF THE UNITED STATES KEY AND TEACHER’S NOTES

This very topical text should lead to plenty of discussion. A video beforehand to start the ball rolling would be a good idea.

1. A doctrine in which the US doesn’ take primary responsibility.
2. They are threats that challenge the US fundemental interests.
3. A direct imposition of US naval power.
4. The US destroyed the regional balance of power with Iran; the US miscalculated the consequences of the invation and faced substantial resiastance.
5. It gained power and a greater sense of security.
6. Libya did not represent a threat to the US.
7. Breaking with its coalition.
8. That campaigns designed to topple brutal dictators yield better regimes.
9. Intervention can unleash virulently anti-American forces.
10. Any US intervention in Syria would constitute both an effort and a risk disproportinate to those interests.
11. Tehran’s influence streching through Iraq to the mediterranian.
12. They had far greater leavers to determine the outcome in Syria.
13. No country was prepared to use conventional military force.
14. War with Iran
15. Not everything that happens in the world requires or justifies US intervention.
16. Many who condemn US hegemony also seem to demand it.
17. Moving from military domination to more sbtle manipulation and more important allowing events to take their cource.
18. Overextended.
19. Controlled engagement on the part of the US based on a realistic understanding of the national interest.
20. He will continue it. No one decides this new doctrine; it is emerging from the reality the US faces.