Memorandum on Intervention in Nigeria
To: Donald Trump
Cc: Mark Shirk
From: Grace Picariello
From: Grace Picariello
Date: April 11, 2017
Subject: American Foreign Policy
Problem:
Northern Africa is often a region of the world that is overlooked by the United States and other major powers. The countries get little media attention, if any, and therefore most of the public does not understand the extent of the atrocities and hardships that are experienced there. Nigeria has specifically detrimental issues going on. Boko Haram, an islamic extremist group, dominates areas of the country. Boko Haram is usually present in the areas that are prone to extreme rates of poverty and illiteracy. Boko Haram adopts a literal interpretation of the Quran and seeks to apply Sharia Law in the state. Furthermore, they reject market-based economies. The group's main goal is to withdraw from Nigeria and establish a caliphate in Africa. To accomplish this, they plan on overthrowing the government of Nigeria in the foreseeable future.
Current Policy:
While the United States has been active in trying to solidify Nigeria's democratic institutions and strengthen their economy to lessen poverty levels, we have done little to combat Boko Haram specifically. However; we do provide relief programs like emergency food and nutrition services for victims, people living in poverty, and displaced persons of Nigeria.
Proposed Solution:
The United States of America must come together as a nation to educate our people to bring more attention to the atrocities that Boko Haram has carried out. Furthermore, our military must play an active role in eliminating this terrorist group. We shall not use ground forces but drones and air strikes to wreak havoc on the areas that Boko Haram controls. Our main goal should be to take out the leaders of Boko Haram to destabilize the group as a whole. Furthermore, America should work to provide more relief programs and fund those that are already in place more heavily.
Boko Haram is a terrorist group that is destroying the lives of tens of thousands of Nigerian women, men, and children. They commit heinous crimes daily and the United States has taken no direct measures to combat them. If the United States takes a more active role in using air strikes and drones then we will be able to lessen the impact that the group has on the livelihoods of innocent civilians in Nigeria.
Subject: American Foreign Policy
Problem:
Northern Africa is often a region of the world that is overlooked by the United States and other major powers. The countries get little media attention, if any, and therefore most of the public does not understand the extent of the atrocities and hardships that are experienced there. Nigeria has specifically detrimental issues going on. Boko Haram, an islamic extremist group, dominates areas of the country. Boko Haram is usually present in the areas that are prone to extreme rates of poverty and illiteracy. Boko Haram adopts a literal interpretation of the Quran and seeks to apply Sharia Law in the state. Furthermore, they reject market-based economies. The group's main goal is to withdraw from Nigeria and establish a caliphate in Africa. To accomplish this, they plan on overthrowing the government of Nigeria in the foreseeable future.
Evidence:
Since 2009, Boko Haram has been responsible for the deaths of approximately 20,000 people. Almost 2.2 million citizens of Nigeria have been forced to flee their homes due to the threat that Boko Haram poses. Worse, nearly 2,000 children have been kidnapped and have been forced to be sex slaves, fighters, or suicide bombers. Many scholars deem Boko Haram to be even deadlier than the Islamic State in Syria.
Current Policy:
While the United States has been active in trying to solidify Nigeria's democratic institutions and strengthen their economy to lessen poverty levels, we have done little to combat Boko Haram specifically. However; we do provide relief programs like emergency food and nutrition services for victims, people living in poverty, and displaced persons of Nigeria.
Proposed Solution:
The United States of America must come together as a nation to educate our people to bring more attention to the atrocities that Boko Haram has carried out. Furthermore, our military must play an active role in eliminating this terrorist group. We shall not use ground forces but drones and air strikes to wreak havoc on the areas that Boko Haram controls. Our main goal should be to take out the leaders of Boko Haram to destabilize the group as a whole. Furthermore, America should work to provide more relief programs and fund those that are already in place more heavily.
Boko Haram is a terrorist group that is destroying the lives of tens of thousands of Nigerian women, men, and children. They commit heinous crimes daily and the United States has taken no direct measures to combat them. If the United States takes a more active role in using air strikes and drones then we will be able to lessen the impact that the group has on the livelihoods of innocent civilians in Nigeria.
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Grace, I thought that your memo was well laid out, and well written. On the other hand, to view your solution from an isolationist perspective, how is Boko Haram a direct threat to the United States?
ReplyDeleteGrace, I really like your memo. However, I would have to disagree with you when it comes to completely destroying the organization. I feel the best way is to cut off recruitment for the organization, and then take out the remaining members, because should we attack them directly, they could use the attacks as a rallying call for more members. Also, should the United States accidentally hit civilian targets, Boko Haram would be able to recruit new members faster than we could eliminate them.
ReplyDelete