RESEARCH PROJECT: This assignment is based on the skills and knowledge you gain from the
four group exercises, as well as from the reading assignments and class lectures and discussions.
In other words, you should view this project as a combination of “term paper� and “final exam.�
The project will take the form of a policy analysis paper, i.e., a briefing document, memorandum,
or report prepared for presentation to a policy maker (e.g., the president). It will address possible
concerns that a policy maker may have: e.g., diplomatic, military, economic, and political. In
general, the paper should be 8-10 pages of text, and should include a bibliography as well as in-
text citations (typed, numbered, double-spaced, 12 pt. font, 1� margins). Any paper that does not
contain in-text citations, or does so haphazardly, will receive a failing grade. Please refer to a
style manual (e.g., Turabian or APSA) for instructions on how to cite both in text as well as in a
bibliography. All students are required to follow the format as outlined below. No exceptions!
A.) Define the issue. State and define the issue as it pertains to U.S. national security policy.
Ensure that the issue is specific and narrow in focus. Do not choose an issue that is overly broad
or general.
B.) Analyze the issue. Analyze how this particular issue affects U.S. national security. How does
the issue affect U.S. interests? What sort of interests are they, in terms of relative importance to
the United States? Does this issue pose a threat to U.S. interests? If so, what type of threat is it,
how serious is the threat, and what are the consequences of this threat? Be sure to include a
thorough discussion of how this issue relates to the “national interest.�
C.) Develop courses of action. Develop distinct, viable, and realistic courses of action to address
this issue. As a general rule, there should be at least three and no more than five courses of action.
While doing nothing may, in fact, be a realistic course of action, do not use this simply to fill out
your list.
D.) Analyze courses of action. Analyze each course of action, paying particular attention to the
diplomatic, military, economic, and political dimensions. Consider the specific advantages and
disadvantages posed by each. What are the benefits, limitations, resource requirements, and
constraints associated with each course of action? Each proposed course of action should be
analyzed independently of all other courses of action.
E.) Recommend a course of action. Based upon your analysis, recommend a specific course of
action that should be implemented.
F.) Justify recommendation. Justify your recommendation as to why your proposed course of
action should be implemented as part of U.S. national security policy. Do not simply restate your
analysis of this course of action and the relative advantages and disadvantages. Instead, state and
discuss how this specific course of action furthers U.S. goals and objectives, both with respect to
the particular issue being studied as well as in general terms (i.e., overall U.S. national security
policy).
G.) Conclusions. What are your conclusions about this issue, your recommended course of action,
and U.S. national security policy?RESEARCH PROJECT: This assignment is based on the skills and knowledge you gain from the
four group exercises, as well as from the reading assignments and class lectures and discussions.
In other words, you should view this project as a combination of “term paper� and “final exam.�
The project will take the form of a policy analysis paper, i.e., a briefing document, memorandum,
or report prepared for presentation to a policy maker (e.g., the president). It will address possible
concerns that a policy maker may have: e.g., diplomatic, military, economic, and political. In
general, the paper should be 8-10 pages of text, and should include a bibliography as well as in-
text citations (typed, numbered, double-spaced, 12 pt. font, 1� margins). Any paper that does not
contain in-text citations, or does so haphazardly, will receive a failing grade. Please refer to a
style manual (e.g., Turabian or APSA) for instructions on how to cite both in text as well as in a
bibliography. All students are required to follow the format as outlined below. No exceptions!
A.) Define the issue. State and define the issue as it pertains to U.S. national security policy.
Ensure that the issue is specific and narrow in focus. Do not choose an issue that is overly broad
or general.
B.) Analyze the issue. Analyze how this particular issue affects U.S. national security. How does
the issue affect U.S. interests? What sort of interests are they, in terms of relative importance to
the United States? Does this issue pose a threat to U.S. interests? If so, what type of threat is it,
how serious is the threat, and what are the consequences of this threat? Be sure to include a
thorough discussion of how this issue relates to the “national interest.�
C.) Develop courses of action. Develop distinct, viable, and realistic courses of action to address
this issue. As a general rule, there should be at least three and no more than five courses of action.
While doing nothing may, in fact, be a realistic course of action, do not use this simply to fill out
your list.
D.) Analyze courses of action. Analyze each course of action, paying particular attention to the
diplomatic, military, economic, and political dimensions. Consider the specific advantages and
disadvantages posed by each. What are the benefits, limitations, resource requirements, and
constraints associated with each course of action? Each proposed course of action should be
analyzed independently of all other courses of action.
E.) Recommend a course of action. Based upon your analysis, recommend a specific course of
action that should be implemented.
F.) Justify recommendation. Justify your recommendation as to why your proposed course of
action should be implemented as part of U.S. national security policy. Do not simply restate your
analysis of this course of action and the relative advantages and disadvantages. Instead, state and
discuss how this specific course of action furthers U.S. goals and objectives, both with respect to
the particular issue being studied as well as in general terms (i.e., overall U.S. national security
policy).
G.) Conclusions. What are your conclusions about this issue, your recommended course of action,
and U.S. national security policy?