Discussion questions.

The following questions are all open-ended. That means there can be several different correct answers to each one. Choose two questions to discuss in a small group. Give reasons to support your answers.

1. The U.S. has been fighting a war in Iraq to oust dictator Saddam Hussein, to prevent him from using weapons of mass destruction, and to gain freedom for the people of Iraq.

(A) Why will our country, along with our ally the United Kingdom, be involved in Iraq for many years?

(B) Should the United Nations be involved in rebuilding Iraq? Why or why not?

2. The U.S. is deeply involved in efforts to bring about peace in the Middle East. President Bush's "roadmap" to peace calls for the Palestinian Authority to end the terrorist attacks against Israel, for Israel to close many of its border settlements, and for the establishment of a Palestinian state within the next few years. What problems could derail U.S. efforts and the President's "roadmap"?

3. The African country of Liberia was founded in 1822 by freed American slaves. For the past 10 years a civil war has been raging in Liberia. The people of Liberia have begged the U.S. to send troops to stop the bloodshed. Should the U.S. help Liberia? If yes, what kinds of help can the U.S. offer? If no, what are your reasons?

4. Most of the countries of sub-Saharan Africa are poor. Many were colonies of European countries until the 1950s and 1960s, when they gained their independence. How did the fact that they were once colonies, and their late start as independent countries, contribute to their present-day poverty?

Answers

1. (A) It will take time to establish a functioning government; rebuild power plants, roads, schools, and homes; gain the trust of the people of Iraq; increase employment.

(B) Yes: The U.S. and Britain should not bear the total responsibility and cost of rebuilding Iraq. No: The U.S. and Britain bore the brunt of the fighting and should direct the rebuilding of Iraq; the UN has an ineffective record of dealing with Iraq.

2 If Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon or Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas ends peace talks; if suicide bombings resume and Israel retaliates; if Israeli settlers reject government decisions to dismantle settlements.

3. Yes: U.S. military forces are needed to stop the fighting and make sure that Charles Taylor does not regain power. No: The U.S. is already fully engaged in fighting the war in Iraq; military intervention in Liberia may spread our troops too thin.

4. As colonies, they existed for the benefit of the mother countries; when colonies gained independence, the people were ill-equipped to govern themselves; the new governments were often unstable; the countries' late independence put them at a disadvantage, with an economy unable to compete with long-established countries.