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During the semester, I shall post course material and students will comment on it. Students are also free to comment on any aspect of the presidency, either current or historical. There are only two major limitations: no coarse language, and no derogatory comments about people at the Claremont Colleges.

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Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Foreign Policy and National Security II

Next week's mini-simulations

For your writeup, briefly describe your roles and goals

What is strategy?  How does the NSS define goals?

What are tactics?

"Hard power" v. "Soft power"



Intelligence about intentions and capabilities







JFK and the Cuban Missile Crisis


 Office of the President, "National Security Strategy of the United States," November 2025, at https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-National-Security-Strategy.pdf


What did it say about Iran?


  • America First: U.S. policy should stress concrete national interests over maintaining the global liberal order.
  • Great-power competition: China is the primary long-term strategic rival; Russia remains a major security threat.
  • Economic security = national security: Industrial capacity, energy production, technology leadership, and resilient supply chains are central to U.S. power.
  • Western Hemisphere focus: The U.S. should limit Chinese and Russian influence in the Americas and strengthen regional dominance.
  • Allies must do more: Partners—especially in Europe and Asia—are expected to carry greater defense burdens.



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