TAB A – 4th Round Quick Look Questions

Question TAB A: 4th Round Quick Look Questions

Author | Editor: SMA Program Office.

SMA Round Four Questions

1. How strong a factor is Iraqi nationalism in countering Iranian influence?
2. How could DoD and DoS be better postured to address regional and world conflicts to ensure a whole of government approach to identify and synchronize lines of effort in both planning and execution?
3. To what extent is the Iraqi Army apolitical? Do they have a political agenda or other desired end-state within Iraq? Could the Iraqi military be an effective catalyst for reconciliation between different groups in Iraqi society? Could conscription be an accelerant for reconciliation, and if so how could it be implemented?
4. What does a successfully concluded campaign against ISIS look like? Considering costs, reputation, and balance of influence, how should the U.S./Coalition define success? Is the defeat of ISIS a success if it causes the balance of power in the region to shift towards Iran, Assad, or Russia?
5. Does U.S. foreign policy strike the right balance in supporting U.S. interests and its role as a global power? Or, should the U.S. consider a more isolationist approach to foreign policy? What impact could an isolationist policy have on Middle East security and stability, balance of influence by regional and world actors, and U.S. national interests?
6. What are the competing national interests of the U.S. and Iran in the Middle East and what are the options for alleviating U.S. / Iranian tensions to mutual satisfaction and improved regional stability?
7. What are the respective national interests of the U.S. and Russia in the Middle East and what are the options for alleviating U.S. / Russian tensions to mutual satisfaction and improved regional stability?
8. Are there impediments to cooperation amongst GCC nations that reduce their effectiveness towards undesirable or adverse regional issues? If so, how could impediments be overcome?
9. What are the medium to long-term implications to U.S. interests and posture of China’s economic, diplomatic and military expansion into South Asia, Middle East and Africa?
10. Is the current U.S. approach to supporting Afghanistan beneficial? Or does it promote a cycle of dependency and counter-productive activities in the region? What strategic and local factors would need to be considered, managed and accepted in any significant change in military and/or other support?
11. What are the implications for the U.S. and GCC countries if the Arab coalition does not succeed or achieve an acceptable outcome in Yemen?

 

Download Publication