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Reserve Component National Security Course
Select one of the questions below for your RCNSC strategy paper. The paper is to be approximately 500 words in length (handwritten or typed are both acceptable). You are required to submit a hard copy of the paper to your Seminar Leader no later than 1600 on the first day of the course.
1. References, endnotes, and a bibliography are not required.
2. Papers will be graded on a Pass / Fail basis.
3. Your paper should be an essay that represents original thinking and not just recitation of fact. Evaluation of the paper will be based on both (a) composition (organization, clarity of expression, and proper grammar) and (b) originality of thought, the coherence and persuasiveness of your position, and how well you address arguments that would challenge your case.
4. There is no "RCNSC solution" or answer to any of these questions. The paper’s evaluation will depend on the objective you state in the paper and how well you support it. This writing exercise should provide an opportunity for you to develop and strengthen your skills as a critical thinker.
Essay Questions:
1. What should our National Security Strategy be towards China? Does China pose a short term [three (3) to five (5) year] threat to U.S. interests? If so, how? If not, does China’s approach towards securing their own access to global resources represent a future significant threat to U.S. interests? Is China’s human rights record a national security concern? Is China a stabilizing or de-stabilizing presence in South Asia? How about the world?
2. What threat or benefit to U.S. National Security do the larger emerging powers (Brazil, Russia, India and China – BRIC) represent? Can India assist the U.S. with stability in Southwest Asia? How?
3. Does the current National Security Strategy reflect the values of our population? Should it? What effects do political expectations have on implementing our National Security Strategy? Are or should the intentions of the Founding Fathers be considered in the pursuit of a National Security Strategy?
4. What National Security Strategy should be implemented in the Middle East? Is Israel a benefit to your proposed strategy? How would you resource your strategy? How would you deal with Iran pre- and post- possession of a nuclear weapon?
5. Support and defend NATO’s continued presence in Afghanistan. Remember in your answer that the United States is a member of NATO. Be sure to identify the United States’ strategic interest in Afghanistan post-bin Laden.
6. A former CJCS once described our country’s single most National Security threat as our national debt. Do you agree? Why or why not? What National Security concern is China’s position as a significant holder of U.S. Treasury Bonds? Is the trade imbalance with China a national security issue?
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