US+Role+in+the+World+2014

=US Role in the World 2014=

What should the US Role in the World be?

Throughout our history, we have been connected to and greatly affected by world events. After becoming a world power around the turn of the last century (1900) we have played an increasingly important role. However, public opinion has not always supported our active role. There have been times where people have called for us to get involved overseas. That is called interventionism. In reaction-when US involvement carries costs seen to be too high, people have called for us to step back and focus on events at home in the United States. That is called isolationism.

This week, we will explore political parties opposing viewpoints on a number of issues, and then observe the events of September 11th on 9/11.

After 9/11, the U.S. led the world in responding to terrorism and sent troops into Afghanistan and Iraq in the name of the world's security- not just our own. As these military operations dragged on and cost American lives we have wound them down and gradually brought troops home. But now again, with new threats- ISIS, Syria, Ebola, Boko Haram in Nigeria, and Russia v. Ukraine, the world is looking to the U.S. for leadership and involvement...

On 9/11 you will be given 4 different options to consider in response to this question. From now until then, we'd like you to suggest your own opinions and ideas.

What should the U.S. role in the world be? How, when and where should the U.S. get involved? When and where should the U.S. allow other nations to take the lead?