Diablo Valley College – International Relations (8609)
Mid-Term Research Project One – Fall 2013
Obama’s Iraq:
Question: On June 19 of this year, analyst Shamus Cooke asked if the growing conflict between the United States and Syria was becoming “Obama’s Iraq.” His observations that there are many similarities with the Bush administration’s run-up to Iraq in 2003 are compelling. The conflict is continuing to develop and by some accounts, is expanding and intensifying dramatically. Using the 9 theories we have discussed thus far, which appears to be the most useful in explaining this current international conflict, and importantly, whether you believe that “humanitarian intervention” or “R2P” is even a legitimate international concept?
I. Introduction / Thesis Statement – a brief statement outlining your position or something relevant about this issue.
II. Body – the bulk of the paper is here, in data taken from the readings and other evidence you have found in support of your position.
1. Historical background to the conflict
a. CIA Factbook
b. Statements from the White House and the State Department
2. Theoretical positions
a. Conventional view – liberalism (specifically “institutional transnationalism”)
b. Alternative theories?
3. Humanitarian intervention or humanitarian imperialism?
a. Data from Bricmont
b. Data from Cartalucci
b. Recent “humanitarian” interventions (particularly Libya)
c. Current non-interventions (Bahrain, Qatar, Yemen, and others)
III. Conclusion – based on the evidence you have gathered, your opinion about the reasons for “Obama’s new war” and which of the 9 theories you feel is probably the most accurate for describing why this conflict is developing.