SUSIE’S CURRENT EVENTS September 3, 2013 THE BASICS Topic Intervention in Syria: Part I
Articles
“Obama asks Congress to approve military strike against Syria” http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-syria-obama-20130831,0,5513950.story
Statement by the President on Syria http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/08/31/statement-president-syria
“UN refugee agency says more than 2 million have fled Syria” http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23937972
Questions to Consider • Does the United States have a moral or ethical obligation to take action against Syria? Does the use of chemical weapons change the equation? • Does the US Constitution support unilateral action by the President? • What is the role of Congress in making a decision to use military force? How does the Senate Foreign Relations Committee advise and consent? • Is asking Congress to approve military action a precedent, which changes the balance of power within the government of the US? • What will the President do if congress doesn’t authorize military action? • How does the 80% approval of the American public for going to Congress affect the decision-making? Why do so many American citizens think that Congress should be heard? • How do events prior to, during and after the Iraq war influence policy about Syria?
THE EXTRAS Pre-teaching, Extensions & Further Reading • •
“Should US Punish Syria? Debating Legality, Effectiveness and National Interest” http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world/july-dec13/syria_08-28.html Debate Club: Should the U.S. Intervene in Syria with Military Action? http://www.usnews.com/debate-club/should-the-us-intervene-in-syria-with-militaryaction
What’s the connection? Constitution • Only congress Can Declare War http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/2008/07/12/only-congress-can-declarewar/#.UiZtnLwZ8XV • War Powers Resolution http://www.loc.gov/law/help/war-powers.php • Senate Foreign Relations Committee http://www.foreign.senate.gov/about/history/ Oregon • “Portland-based Mercy Corps Helping Syrian Refugees http://www.opb.org/news/article/portland-based-mercy-corps-helping-syrianrefugees/?google_editors_picks=true
Oregon State Social Science Standards/CCSS HS.27. Examine the functions and process of United States government. HS.28. Evaluate how governments interact at the local, state, tribal, national, and global levels. HS.31. Describe United States foreign policy and evaluate its impact on the United States and other countries. HS.33. Explain the role of government in various current events. 6-8.RH.2 Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions. 9-10.RH.2 Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of how key events or ideas develop over the course of the text. 11-12.RH.2 Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary that makes clear the relationships among the key details and ideas.
NEW!
We the People Lesson Connections Middle School, Level 2 • Unit 6, Lesson 28: What is the relationship of the United States to other nations in the world? High School, Level 3 • Unit 4, Lesson 23: What is the role of the President in the American Constitutional System? • Unit 6, Lesson 38: What are the challenges of the participation of the United States in world affairs?
