Teaching with the News
U.S. Policy in Afghanistan
Discussion of U.S. policy in Afghanistan has been filling the news in recent weeks. During his campaign for the presidency, Barack Obama argued that the war in Afghanistan should be the highest military priority of the United States. U.S. General Stanley McChrystal, who is in charge of operations in Afghanistan, has proposed that the United States increase its forces in Afghanistan. President Obama and his advisors are reassessing U.S. policies in Afghanistan, a task complicated by political unrest following a flawed presidential election. The choices are hotly debated in the United States and international opinion is divided, especially in the thirty-four countries with soldiers in Afghanistan.
Objective
In this lesson, students will consider three options for U.S. policy in Afghanistan and then articulate their own views on the issue.
Resources
U.S. Policy in Afghanistan: Introduction and Policy Options
Video Resources:
Obama's move on Afghan war could impact region - 15.Oct.09 from Al Jazeera (above)
Scholars Online Videos from Michael Bhatia:
Recommended Online News Coverage
BBC Timeline: Afghanistan
Timeline from 1919 to presentCouncil on Foreign Relations: U.S. War in Afghanistan
An interactive timeline (from 1999 to present)
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