American+Revolution+&+Afghanistan+Essay

Zinni to Obama: Time’s Up on Afghanistan Decision August Cole reports on U.S. defense policy.

Anthony Zinni stepped up his call for the Obama administration to quit dillydallying and send more troops to Afghanistan to fight the insurgency. … The retired Marine Corps general, who had been the top commander in the Middle East and Central Asia, said the Obama administration needs more forces in Afghanistan quickly. Zinni said his own son was among the troops waiting to be deployed, adding: “I think that we owe them a decision. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why we’re still waiting for one.” … This time, Zinni had some specific advice President Barack Obama: Americans need to hear a better explanation of why the U.S. is in Afghanistan, on the doorstep of nuclear-armed rivals Pakistan and India neighbors. “I think the speech that has been missing … is this talk not only to the American public but to the world about what the threats are, what the challenges are and what the concerns should be out there,” he said.

Zinni also urged the administration to get NATO allies to send more troops, and be willing to engage in combat in Afghanistan. “This cannot be America’s war,” he said.

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=Essay= You are President Obama’s historical advisor. Using the events of the American Revolutionary war, provide him with a recommendation as to whether or not he should send in more troops to battle the insurgency in Afghanistan.

A summarized statement of the problems Great Britain had in attempting to defeat the insurgency in the 13 colonies and how it applies to America’s situation today.
 * Point (Thesis)**

A brief and clear description of what you believe were the 2-3 biggest problems Great Britain encountered in fighting the colonial insurgence. • Identify the problem(s) • Why was this a problem for Great Britain?
 * Explain w/ Evidence**

If you were advising President Obama, what would be your recommendation based on the lessons learned by Great Britain during the American Revolution. • Provide evidence from your research on the American Revolution and the articles provided to support your reasoning.
 * Explore w/ Evidence**


 * Explore #1**
 * Recommendations for why the president should //NOT// send in more troops. **


 * Would sending more British troops into the 13 colonies have made a difference during the American Revolution? Why not?
 * What research do you have to support such a claim?
 * Explain how that circumstance from the past relates to America’s situation today in Afghanistan?

** **Recommendations for the course of action the President should take if he is going to send in troops**.
 * Explore #2
 * If America does send in more troops, how do we avoid making the same mistakes Great Britain made when it sent troops to fight the insurgency in the 13 colonies.
 * What errors did Great Britain make (militarily, politically, etc.) when it tried to defeat the insurgency in the 13 colonies?
 * What does the president need to do to avoid repeating that same history in Afghanistan?

=Resources=


 * Essay Rubric
 * Associated Press Article - Troops already outnumber Taliban 12-1 (10/27/2009)
 * CNN Article - Support for war at an all time low (9/15/2009)
 * Fox News Article - Americans Divided on Afghan War Effort (9/21/2009)
 * MSNBC Article - Support for Afghanistan troop surge rises (10/28/2009)

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