The Carter Doctrine

In your Discussion this week, you examined the idea of grand strategy by exploring different conceptions of war. It is important to understand, though, that grand strategy does not strictly relate to the waging of war, though this is an important part of the idea. Rather, grand strategy refers, rather holistically, to overarching strategies adopted by nations in order to survive or thrive in the world.

One grand strategy utilized by the United States is referred to as the Carter Doctrine. The brief article by Andrew J. Bacevich, The Carter Doctrine at 30 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., provides an overview of the Carter Doctrine.

In this simulation, you will take the role of special advisor to the President, who has asked you to provide a written evaluation of whether or not the Carter Doctrine ought to be continued as an important component of America’s grand strategy.

To do so, then, complete the following steps:

1. First, read the following article describing the Carter Doctrine: The Carter Doctrine at 30 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
2. In one page, evaluate the Carter Doctrine from a strategic perspective. Explain to the President whether the Carter Doctrine has ultimately been positive or negative for the United States. In your response, consider both the strategic importance of oil and the costs, in money and lives, associated with engaging in the conflicts discussed in the article.

Your final product should be at least one page in length, formatted in APA style. Support your claims with examples from required material(s) and/or scholarly (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. sources. Please cite your sources in APA format both in-text (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. and in full reference citations (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. at the end of the assignment.

Carefully review the Grading Rubric (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.