Reflecting on the Experience

The following questions are proposed to guide the discussion in the in-class debrief. This is not an exhaustive list and may vary depending on how your role-play exercise unfolded. If your class or group does not hold a debrief, these questions will nonetheless help you reflect on the role-play and write your policy review memo: 

• Which issues received adequate attention during the role-play? Which, if any, received excessive attention or were left unresolved?
• Did the group consider long-term strategic concerns, or was it able to focus only on the immediate issue and the short-term implications of policy options?
• Which U.S. interests did the group or the president prioritize in the presidential directive and why? Were you comfortable with this prioritization?
• What techniques did you use to convince others that your policy position was the best option? What were successful strategies employed by others?
• What were the most significant challenges to your position? Did any make you rethink or adjust your position?
• Did your points cause anyone else to change their arguments or position?
• What political, economic, and other issues arose that you had not previously considered?
• If you could go back, what would you have done differently in presenting and advocating your point of view?