Terrorism: Extension
Learning Objectives
- Students will examine evolving challenges, such as radicalization, in the fight against terrorism since 9/11.
- Students will differentiate unique challenges posed by domestic extremism.
- Students will defend a historical position on the decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq.
Homework
- Students will complete parts 1 and 2 of the guided reading handout.
Class
- (10 Minutes) Homework Debrief: How did 9/11 influence how the U.S. government fought terror? What is the AUMF and what are some examples of where it has been invoked? In what ways have U.S. counterterrorism operations changed in recent years? How has radicalization and right-wing extremism led to a rise in domestic extremist groups?
- (15 Minutes) Take A Stand: Mini-Simulation: U.S. Troops in Iraq
- NOTE: This is a historical case set in 2021.
- Read: “Overview”, “The Situation”, and “Policy Options” as a class.
- Take a Stand: Assign three corners of room for the policy options. Students will move to the corner they agree with.
- Option #1: Withdraw all U.S. troops from Iraq as quickly and responsibly as possible.
- Option # 2: Drawdown troops slowly and leave a minimal presence in a solely advisory role
- Option #3: Maintain or increase current troop levels in Iraq.
- Give students a couple minutes to discuss why they picked that option in their corner groups (Each corner supports a different policy). Share and discuss as a class.
- Consider using some of these questions: Should the United States pull troops out of Iraq and end the ongoing campaign to combat the self-proclaimed Islamic State and deter Iranian pressure on Iraq? What are some of the benefits of maintaining a military presence in Iraq? What are some of the problems with maintaining a military presence in Iraq?
- (10 Minutes) Debrief: Does a long-term U.S. military presence help or hurt the fight against terror? How might the presence of the U.S. military embolden foreign terrorist organizations? What might happen to terrorist groups like Islamic State if the U.S. were to leave? What did the simulation show students about foreign policy? Why might making foreign policy decisions be so difficult?
Homework
- Choose one of the policy options from the mini-simulation and support your choice with at least three arguments. This can be done in the fashion of an “Op-Ed” or “Letter to the Editor.”
Vocabulary
- counterterrorism
the set of policies and actions—including intelligence collection and analysis, military action, and homeland security measures—designed to combat terrorism.
- drone
an unmanned, remotely piloted vehicle generally used for reconnaissance and combat. Also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
- Guantanamo Bay
a U.S. naval base in Cuba that became home to a detention facility for people suspected of terrorism after September 11, 2001. Human rights groups, other countries, and United Nations bodies have expressed concern over reports of abuse within the facility, which continues to hold prisoners.
- Operation Enduring Freedom
the name given to the military operation in Afghanistan launched by the United States, in conjunction with British and allied forces, in October of 2001. The invasion targeted al-Qaeda for carrying out the 9/11 attacks and the Taliban for providing them safe haven in Afghanistan.
- Osama bin Laden
the Saudi-born cofounder and longtime leader of al-Qaeda, killed in Pakistan in 2011 during a raid by U.S. Navy Sea, Air, and Land Teams (SEALs). Bin Laden was the driving force behind the September 11, 2001, attacks, among others.
- radicalization
the process by which individuals come to adopt extreme religious, political, or social beliefs.