Reference no: EM133699656
Questions:
1.) In the run-up to the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, what role did Congress play? Did Congress fulfill its constitutional "war powers" obligations? Was Congress "tricked" by the Bush administration? Discuss.
2.) What is Grand Strategy? What was America's grand strategy during the Cold War? What has been US grand strategy since the end of the Cold War? Why have the strategies of Primacy and Liberal Internationalism blended so easily into a common US grand strategy?
3.) How would a grand strategy of Restraint be very different from the current US grand strategy? Explain the logic of the different aspects of the proposed strategy of restraint. Discuss.
4.) Is China an inevitable enemy of the USA? Discuss.
5.) Is China a major military threat to the USA? Discuss.
6.) Should the USA "contain" China? Necessary? Counterproductive? What other options? Discuss.
7.) China is "rising"-can peaceful change be arranged? What factors might lead toward cooperation, and what might lead to conflict? What are the three military conflicts/confrontations with China that could lead to military conflict? Describe and discuss each.
8.) Discuss the issue of Taiwan. What is the problem, how is it changing, what should the USA do? What is "retrenchment" on this issue?
9.) Many scholars are worried there could be a "Cuban Missile Crisis" over Taiwan. What could be similar? What is the difference? How can it be avoided?
10.) How much power does the President have in foreign policy? Why do some say there is only an"illusion of control"? Discuss the President's power in foreign policy using historical examples discussed in class from several different administrations.
11.) Should the President have "sole authority" of nuclear weapons? Is this necessary? Is this dangerous? Is this constitutional? Discuss using historical examples and perhaps clear possible scenarios to explain your reasoning about presidential control of nuclear weapons.
12.) What role does the Congress play in foreign policy? Does congress have the power to determine US strategy? If so-how? How is US strategy being made today?
13.) Congress is supposed to do "oversight"-what is this? Why important? Does Congress do "oversight"? Discuss with details and evidence.
14.) Explain what "normal" interest group politics is in American defense policy today. What is problematic? Because of collective action dynamics, there are problems. Explain.
15.) Christensen has argued that there will be no "Cold War" with China. Fully explain his argument. What are his best points? What might be the strongest arguments against his points? Is he right? Will there be a new Cold War with China?
16.) Why would slowing an arms race with China require cooperating on missile defense? Discuss the history, and the logic of this argument. Is this true? Is this likely?
17.) Would it be wise to work to rebuild the Liberal Order? What grand strategy would best support a renewed Liberal Order? Discuss.
18.) On what US foreign policy priorities and goals do Ikenberry and Walt agree? What are important differences between them? What size defense budget would each advocate, andwhat changes would they likely make to US alliances and the US defense budget?
19.) Compare the US defense budget and what is being spent on solving climate change. How much should be spent on solving and adapting to climate change? Discuss how much is spent on addressing climate change and how much on defense. Can you discuss how much you would spend on these different priorities? Discuss as specifically as possible, using as many specific budget numbers as you can.