Political Science 369
US National Security
Summer 2019
Bill Newmann, Political Science
Office Hours: 318 Founders Hall; by appointment; Talk to me at class and we’ll set up a time
E-mail: wnewmann@vcu.edu; POLI Dept. Phone: 828-2076
Newmann's home page: with links to other Newmann syllabi and other fun stuff.
Introduction
This course serves as an introduction into US national security affairs. First, you may ask: how is this different from a course on US foreign policy (an especially important question if you have taken a course in US foreign policy)? National security studies take a different approach to issues of how the US interacts with the rest of the world. While there are many differences (and you’ll see them during the semester), the key difference is this: US national security studies focus on the political-military aspects of defending US national interests – issues such as the use of force, the evolution of US force capability (from infantry to ships to planes to nuclear weapons to ballistic missile defense to cyber weapons), the strategies of deterrence and compellence, the transformation of national security due to technology and globalization, and civil-military relations. Foreign policy often focuses on diplomacy and the evolution of relations between states; national security leans a bit more toward an examination of the evolution of military capabilities and its impact on US national interests within the arena of global politics. Here is a quick outline of the topics we’ll cover in the class:
·
Decision
Making for National Security with particular focus on the evolution of the
interagency process (departments, the NSC process, and the NSC staff)
·
The
Department of Defense: civilian control of the military, the role of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff, and Combatant Commanders, and civil-military relations
·
The
Use of Force and how it has evolved technologically and strategically
·
Deterrence
and Compellence (Concepts)
·
Total
and Limited War
·
Classic
and Modern Strategy: from Clausewitz to Mahan to Brodie to Wohlstetter to
Schelling to the just developing strategic thought related to cyber deterrence
and cyber war)
·
Evolution
of US nuclear strategy (massive retaliation to flexible response to assured
destruction to limited nuclear war to the prevailing strategy to national
missile defense)
·
The
first and second nuclear ages
·
Transformation
of war (how globalization and technology has influenced threats to the US and
how the US responds to those threats)
·
Cyberwar,
robotics, drones
·
Asymmetric
threats and counterinsurgency
·
Future
security challenges (demographic change, civil wars, refugees, bad ideologies,
over urbanization, nationalism, US education, food security, water…)
We will be discussing current events as they happen. So stay on top of the situation. Read the New York Times or Washington Post for the best coverage on a day by day basis and check out all the websites I have listed below if you want to learn more.
Links that may be of interest
Links to sources on nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, and
missile defense
Links to Websites on foreign policy and national security.
Texts
This
looks like a lot, but most of the government reports are under 20 pages and the
some of the long ones are there for you to skim, but not sweat the
details. I’ll let you know how to
approach each reading. You don't need to buy any of this, but they are
available for purchase. Most of these readings are online, out there on the internet
for anyone to use. The three books (Newmann, Taw, and Singer) are available at
the Virginia Book Company on Shafer Street, the VCU Bookstore, and BookHolders.
They are also on reserve at Cabell Library. If anyone has problems getting
access to the texts, for any reason, let me know as soon as possible so you
don't get too far behind in the reading.
·
William
Newmann. Managing National Security
(University of Pittsburgh Press, 2013) 978-0822961482 (UA23 .N5426 2003; on reserve at Cabell
Library Circulation Desk, First Floor)
·
Trump
Administration. NSPM 4: Organization of the National
Security Council, the Homeland Security Council, and Subcommittees, April 4,
2017
·
Trump
Administration. National Security Strategy of the United States, December
2017). https://partner-mco-archive.s3.amazonaws.com/client_files/1513628003.pdf
·
Office
of the Secretary of Defense. US Nuclear
Posture Review, February 2018. https://media.defense.gov/2018/Feb/02/2001872886/-1/-1/1/2018-NUCLEAR-POSTURE-REVIEW-FINAL-REPORT.PDF
·
Office
of the Secretary of Defense. Summary of the 2018 National Defense
Strategy of the USA. https://dod.defense.gov/Portals/1/Documents/pubs/2018-National-Defense-Strategy-Summary.pdf
·
Office
of the Secretary of Defense. Missile Defense Review, 2019. https://www.defense.gov/Portals/1/Interactive/2018/11-2019-Missile-Defense-Review/The%202019%20MDR_Executive%20Summary.pdf
·
Eric Heginbotham, et al. China’s Evolving Nuclear Deterrent (Santa Monica, CA: Rand Corporation,
2017). https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR1628.html
·
Jennifer
Taw. Mission Revolution (New York:
Columbia University Press, 2014) 978-0231153256 (Online
VCU and hard copy UH723 .T378 2012; on reserve at Cabell Library
Circulation Desk, First Floor)
·
David
Sanger. The Perfect Weapon (New York.
Scribe Publications, 2018) 978-1911617723 (HV6773.15.C97
S36 2018; on reserve at Cabell Library Circulation Desk, First Floor)
·
US National Intelligence Council, Office of the
Director of National Intelligence. Global
Trends: Paradox of Progress, January 2017. https://www.dni.gov/files/documents/nic/GT-Full-Report.pdf
A guideline for the readings: I've tried to pick reading that are fair minded and balanced. That doesn't mean that these books don't have a point of view. They might, but it is a point of view based on knowledge and years of study and a point of view that is reasoned and analytical. You do not have to agree with the authors. I may or may not agree with them. The point is that you need to read critically. Don't agree with everything you read. Use your own logic and knowledge and insight to decide what you think about the issues. So feel free to questions or disagree with the ideas here and bring those questions and disagreements to class, so we can talk about them. That will make the class more valuable for everyone.
Grading System: Grades will be determined through the following:
|
June 13 |
5% of the grade |
|
|
Exam 1 |
July 9 |
30% of the grade |
|
Required Rough Draft Final Draft |
July 11 (Returned July 16) July 25 |
30% of the grade |
|
Role-Playing Simulation |
July 25 and 30 |
5% of the grade |
|
Exam 2 |
August 1 |
30 % of the grade |
How do you calculate your grade? Use the percentages from the above table. So, if you received the following grades, you would calculate your grades in the following manner:
I give you this very detailed formula for a number of reasons. You should never be unaware of what your class average is. You can calculate it at any point in the semester. If your grade is not what you'd like it to be, you should know, and you should come see me about it. Do not come to me after Exam 2 and say that you're having trouble in the class. It's too late at that point. But any time in the semester that you feel you are having trouble, or not doing as well as you feel you should, come talk to me. During my office hours and by appointment I am happy to talk to you about the class
Grading scale: I use a typical scale: A = 90-100; B = 80-89; C = 70-79; D = 55-69. Borderline grades are considered in the following manner.
· If your grade is 69.5, 79.5, or 89.5 or higher, then you may be a candidate for a round up to the higher grade (Notice those numbers in the sentence; do not ask for a higher grade if your average is a 68 or 78 or 88 or lower; those are not borderline averages).
· You may become a candidate if your grades are borderline and if your grades have been going up during the semester.
· That means that if you are borderline, but your last exam is lower than the previous exams (you are between a B and C, but your third exam is a C for example), you will probably get the lower grade.
· If you are borderline, and your last exam is higher than the previous exams (you are between a B and C, but your third exam is a B), you may get the higher grade.
· Another factor I consider is the typical grade you receive. Let’s say we have four grades for the class and three are grades of B and one is a C (bad day) and your average is a 79.6, you are a candidate for receiving a B. If you have four grades and three are grades of C and one is a grade of B, you are probably not a candidate for the higher grade
· There is no extra credit for this class. Please do not ask.
EXAMS
The exams will be short answer and essay exams. One week before the exam I will place a review sheet on line, linked to this syllabus, below this paragraph. This review sheet should be used as your study guide for the exam. The review sheet will include some terms that are from the readings only, so that you can go back and review those items from the readings. Once you have the review sheet, feel free to ask me questions about the terms. This is the best way to study for the exam. If you understand the terms on the review sheet, you can define each one and see how each one relates to the larger concepts and issues we've discussed in class, you should do just fine on the exam.
Research Paper and Class Role-Playing Simulation
Follow the link for detailed instructions. Read these instructions now. Read them later. Read them again and again. The short version is:
· Over two class periods at the end of the term the class will simulate the national security decision making process. Each of you will be assigned the role of a US governmental official with responsibilities for some aspect of US national security (officials in the Defense Department or National Security Council Staff or Intelligence Community, for example)
· Roles will be assigned by June 18
· You will be given a national security problem to solve and guidance about what perspective you should focus upon. For example, the problem this semester is the civil war in Syria and intelligence that suggests Iran is preparing to intervene with ground forces to keep President Assad in power (fictional, but based on real possibilities).
· You will write a 1-2 page executive summary presenting options for how to deal with the issue (from the perspective of the role you have been assigned; for example, if you are the Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations, you will focus on multilateral options for solving the problem; if you are the Director of CIA’s Office of Terrorism Analysis, your research will focus on the counterterrorism implications of any US options to Iranian intervention.
· Required Rough Draft: Due: July 11 (it will be returned to you with comments on July 16, so you can work on the final draft)
· Final Draft Due: July 25
·
Both
rough and final drafts are due in hard copy at the beginning of class on the
day indicated; there are late penalties for both the rough and final drafts.
The deduction is 10 points for each day late for both the rough and final
drafts (there is a maximum of a 50 point deduction for the rough draft that is
five days late or not turned in).
· Paper Topics will be chosen in consultation with me. This is detailed in the research instructions and I will explain in class. On the back of the map quiz will be a list of all the possible role assignments for the class. You’ll give me your first, second, and third choices and I’ll then assign roles based on that.
· Role-Playing Simulation Assignments (will be linked here once they are made)
· Once the research is done and I have made comments on both drafts of your paper, we’ll begin the role-playing simulation: a three day in class exercise where you will develop a draft Presidential Directive spelling out the options for US policy in case of an Iranian intervention in Syria. I will prepare a detailed agenda for these sessions. Essentially, you will gather together in several interagency committees and negotiate to come up with a draft that includes all your perspectives, evaluates the pros and cons of various US options, develops a government-wide consensus, or spells out where consensus could not be achieved and why.
· Every aspect of this will be guided by a draft Presidential Review Directive where I will spell out what questions I want answered in the Presidential Directive (and in your papers). Once you’re assigned a role, you will have a specific research task. That research task will be spelled out explicitly in the Presidential Directive.
v The PRD 37 is here (once it is updated)
· All the details will be in the paper instructions, linked to the syllabus.
· The result of your simulation: Presidential Directive 74 (will be linked here once it is done)
Attendance and Class Behavior
First, I will be passing out an attendance sheet each class period. I have noticed the past few semesters that some students feel class attendance is optional. They feel that way until they get back their first exam then they want to do extra credit to get their grade back up. The simple answer is this: be there the first time. Second, you may use computers in class to take notes. However, that is all you should be doing with your computer – taking notes. If you surf the web, check your Facebook page or play Dragon Age etc., you will be disrupting other students in the class. They can see your computer. This qualifies as the type of class behavior that can result in your removal from the class.
COURSE AND READING SCHEDULE
The dates
in the following reading schedule reflect what readings you should have
finished by the start of class that week.
Reading
Guide for First Half of Semester
Reading
Guide for Second Half of Semester
Day 1: June 11 Introduction and Decision Making
·
No
Readings
Day
2: June 13
The National Security Interagency Process I
·
Newmann,
Chapters 1-3
·
Map Quiz
Day
3: June 18
The National Security Interagency Process II
·
Newmann,
Chapters 4-6
Day
4: June 20 The
Use of Force I
·
Newmann,
Chapter 7
·
NSPM 4: Organization of the National
Security Council, the Homeland Security Council, and Subcommittees, April 4,
2017
·
Trump
Administration. National Security Strategy of the United States, December
2017). https://partner-mco-archive.s3.amazonaws.com/client_files/1513628003.pdf
·
Office
of the Secretary of Defense. Summary of the 2018 National Defense
Strategy of the USA. https://dod.defense.gov/Portals/1/Documents/pubs/2018-National-Defense-Strategy-Summary.pdf
Day
5: June 25 The First Nuclear Age I
·
Heginbotham, et al, Summary and Chapter 1-5 (Pay
special attention to the summary; this is an executive summary similar to what
you’ll be writing)
Day 6: June 27
From the First to the Second Nuclear Age
·
Heginbotham, et al, Chapters 6-9
Day 7: July 2 The Second Nuclear Age
·
Heginbotham, et al, Chapters 10-11
·
Office
of the Secretary of Defense. US Nuclear
Posture Review, February 2018. (Skim this; get the big picture and get a
feel for the issues, but do not worry about all the details) https://media.defense.gov/2018/Feb/02/2001872886/-1/-1/1/2018-NUCLEAR-POSTURE-REVIEW-FINAL-REPORT.PDF
·
Office
of the Secretary of Defense. Missile Defense Review, 2019. https://www.defense.gov/Portals/1/Interactive/2018/11-2019-Missile-Defense-Review/The%202019%20MDR_Executive%20Summary.pdf
July
4: No Class
Day
8: July 9 Rough Draft Workshop after the Exam
·
Exam 1
·
Bring your rough drafts and I’ll
look them over
Day 9: July 11 Total
War to Limited War to COIN to Stability Operations
·
Taw, Introduction
and Chapters 1-2.
·
Rough
Drafts Due at the beginning of class
Day 10: July 16
·
Taw, Chapter 4.
·
Sanger,
Preface, Prologue, Chapters 1-2
·
Rough
Drafts Returned
Day
11: July 18:
The Future I: Non-State Actors: When States Lose the Monopoly on Force
·
Sanger,
Prologue and Chapters 3, 5, 6, and 7
Day
12: July 23
The Future II: People Power and the Economic Factor
·
Sanger,
Chapters 8, 9, 10, 12
Day
13: July 25 The Future III: Cyberwar, The Drone Age, Robotics,
and The Future
·
Final Draft due in hard copy at
the beginning of class
·
US National Intelligence Council, Office of the
Director of National Intelligence. Global
Trends: Paradox of Progress, January 2017. https://www.dni.gov/files/documents/nic/GT-Full-Report.pdf, pp. ix-xi and 1-74.
·
Role-Playing Simulation (second
half of class)
Day
14: July 30 Simulation
·
Role-Playing Simulation (second
half of class)
Day
15: August 1
·
Exam 2
Where can you find
information on international affairs?
This is the questions students always ask me: “Where do I find
good information on international affairs. I’m looking for something unbiased
and something that doesn’t always look at the world through American eyes (as
in how do these developments affect the US).”
Here’s
the short answer:
For day by day coverage of events in the world:
On a weekly basis:
The
Economist: www.economist.com. This is a Britain-based weekly which covers
world politics and world business. There
really is nothing else like it in the comprehensive nature of its
coverage. You can also buy it on the
newsstand, but the web is free. It
covers world politics very well.
Long Term Views of Crisis and Conflict:
International Crisis Group: www.crisisweb.org. This is
the International Crisis Group, a non-profit organization that studies,
analyzes, and makes recommendations about how to resolve various crises in the
world. There is nothing better for the
in-depth examination of current world events and the dilemmas of problem
solving and peace making. It has reports
(30-50 pages), briefings (10-30), and a weekly briefing (Crisis Watch), which
you can get on the web site or sign up for e-mail delivery.