Question #1

Discuss the differences between the historical religious meaning of jihad and Osama bin Laden’s interpretation

of this term. What can the United States and its allies do to help counter bin Laden’s use of the term to recruit

young men to jihad?

Question #2

Describe the connection that early Islamic reformist groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood made between

Egyptian and American societies in the 1950s? Why did they feel this connection was harmful to Islam?

Question #3

Why do you think there is more locally instigated terrorism in such democratic societies as Spain (and Great

Britain and the Netherlands) than in the United States? How should these countries balance the need for tighter

security with their democratic principles?

Question #4

Indonesia, the world’s most populated Muslim country, is a democracy. What challenges has it faced trying

to fight Islamic extremism? How have Indonesia’s efforts differed from the way the United States is fighting

Islamic extremism? What lessons can each country learn from the other’s experience?

Question #5

Why do some Islamic fundamentalists feel democracy and Islam cannot coexist? Why do some Muslims argue

that Islam and democracy are compatible? How would you defend each side of this argument?

Question #1

What similarities and differences do you hear between President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech of 1961*

and President George W. Bush’s declaration, “We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed

these acts and those who harbor them.… America and our friends and allies join with all those who want

peace and security in the world, and we stand together to win the war against terrorism.”? Do you agree with

Richard Perle that today President Kennedy would be considered a neo-conservative?

* A quote from Kennedy’s inaugural address: “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we

shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival

and success of liberty.”

Question #2

Do you think the United States played into Osama bin Laden’s plans by attacking the Muslim countries of Afghanistan

and Iraq after September 11th? What other course of action could the United States have taken?

Question #3

In what ways can it be said that U.S. goals for freedom and democracy in Afghanistan and Iraq have succeeded

– and failed? Is democracy in these countries the goal, or is the goal now to maintain stability and establish the

right of self-determination? What is your reaction to Simon Jenkins’ statement that the United States cannot win

in Afghanistan because of a lack of understanding about the nature of the country?

Question #4

In the video clip with Richard Holbrooke, he makes the distinction between regime change by political means

and by use of force. What policy do you feel would have been most effective with regards to Iraq after September

11 th? Choosing between two options – getting out of Iraq or sending in more troops – which strategy do you

feel is the best course of action at this time for the United States, and for Iraq, and how should it be implemented?

Question #5

With regard to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, what has been the human cost – and the materials cost – for

these two countries? What has been the human cost – and the materials cost – for the United States? How have

the costs incurred in these three countries affected the U.S.’s global war on terror?

Question #1

What is your reaction to 1st Lt. Matt Sumrall’s explanation for going back out on patrol even after being ambushed

where he states that if he didn’t go, his fellow servicemen would think less of him and he would rather

die than let that happen? Put yourself in the situation experienced by U.S. troops in this conflict. How might you

have reacted if you had been there? How is this type of combat different from that in previous wars?

Question #2

The combat in Iraq seems fraught with political as well as military dilemmas even for troops on the ground.

What is the dilemma facing Lt. Maloney and the other troops as they question a man and his wife at the checkpoint?

How do they straddle the fine line between protecting their safety and honoring Iraqi religious and social

customs? Discuss whether U.S. troops should honor such customs at the risk of their own lives and what the

consequences are to U.S. troops and to Iraqis if these customs are ignored?

Question #3

What is the dilemma facing the U.S. soldier in 1st Lt. Sangjoon Han’s story “Aftermath”? How does such an

experience blur the lines between right and wrong?

Question #4

Discuss the ways in which war is an activity exclusive to human beings. Besides the obvious aspect of death,

explain how engaging in war provides experiences unattainable in any other human activity.

Question #5

Imagine you are an Iraqi civilian living in one of the country’s more troubled and violent provinces. What are

the costs and benefits of this war for you and your family? What would be your response and overall attitude

when confronted by the military occupation? What would you want the U.S. government to do for you?

Question #1

What is the connection seen by Islamic warriors like Ahmed Nasser between the struggle of the prophet Muhammad

to forge justice and dignity in seventh-century Arabia and the jihad they say is needed today?

Question #2

Ayman Zawahiri has declared takfir on anyone who carries out actions contrary to the wishes of the Islamic

Brotherhood. How has this practice of takfir caused a split in the Arab Muslim world? How have Islamic fundamentalists

used this doctrine to their advantage?

Question #3

How did Islam come to Indonesia? How does the diverse ethnic population of Indonesia create a different perspective

on Islam from its original form?

Question #4

What does modesty, especially in dress, mean to Muslims? What are some of the reasons Muslim women wear

the hijab and others do not? When is there an element of choice in this issue, and when does culture or the state

dictate how people will dress?

Question #5

In Islam’s early formation, the prophet Muhammad brought the message of justice and reform to seventh-century

Arabia. He opposed slavery and the abuse of the poor and underprivileged, and he stressed the commitment

to sacrifice one’s self and personal interests in the service of Allah. How do Muslims today seek to continue

those aspects of the prophet’s legacy?

Question #1

What comes to mind when you think about the role of the United States in the world? Draw a picture or write a

short sentence or two describing your thoughts.

Question # 2

Summarize the opposing positions of Stacy Bannerman and Richard Perle on the U.S. invasion and occupation

of Iraq. Examine each of these arguments and discuss their strengths and weaknesses. Who do you believe

makes the strongest arguments and why?

Question #3

Since World War II, the United States has practiced a foreign policy of confronting and pre-empting perceived

threats in the name of fighting evil governments or movements. Review the foreign policy choices made by the

United States in the past 60 years and discuss their benefits and consequences.

Question #4

Discuss the foreign policies of unilateralism and multilateralism and reflect on how the United States has employed

these policies during its history. Discuss the application and impact of these policies in Bosnia, Afghanistan

and Iraq on the United States and the people of these countries. What should the United States consider

when implementing these policies in the future?

Question #5

Many U.S. citizens perceive their country’s role in the world as a promoter of freedom and justice. Yet, this

image of the United States is not held by many people around the world. Identify current policies of the U.S.

government that contradict the rhetoric of promoting freedom and democracy. How can the United States do a

better job of improving its image to the rest of the world?