Assignment Details
You have just been named as the “new” National Security Advisor to the President. Despite a terrifying pandemic that has overwhelmed entire cities in Iran and now looms heavily over the United States, tensions continue with enhanced sanctions, provocations and threats of attack. With US forces in the region as a deterrent, Iran claims that “illegal and aggressive” American presence in the Gulf is causing insecurity in the region. Develop and post a 2-3-page policy memo here by Tuesday, May 26, for the President, outlining a short description of your recommended economic, diplomatic and military actions should the confrontation escalate.
Writing Guide
Purpose. A policy memo provides information, guidance or recommendations about an issue or problem to a decision-maker. It must be well-organized, clearly written and succinct, with a logical connection between the background information, evidence and conclusions/recommendation. The reader should be able to identify the essential points in a quick scan of the memo (particularly the section headings and topic sentences).
Structure. The format of a memo should enhance its readability. It is not written as one lengthy essay. Rather, it is divided into sections, with headings that identify the content or major point of each section. Each paragraph should begin with a significant point (the “topic sentence”), to be supported or expanded upon in the rest of the paragraph. Each major point should be the focus of a separate paragraph. Do not “bury” major themes in the middle of a paragraph.
A typical memo may include the following sections:
- Description and significance of the issue or problem you are examining.
- Evidence of the scope of the issue.
- Factors contributing to the issue or problem.
- Recommendations or conclusions about the issue.
- Counter-arguments against your position.
- Rebuttal to counter-arguments.
- Implementation issues for any recommendations (i.e. political, economic, environmental, technical, etc.).
Language. Policy memos require brevity and specificity. Each sentence must serve to advance your presentation. Be concise and do not waste words. Use clear, direct language, free of bureaucratic jargon, pompous language or clichés. Eliminate unnecessary words and avoid repetition. Write in the active voice, keep sentences relatively short, and minimize the use of adjectives and adverbs. Avoid vague language and sentences that have no substance or state the obvious.
ANSWER:
MEMORANDUM
TO: …
FROM: …
SUBJECT: …
DATE: …
Tensions between the United States and Iran have persistent in the recent past. The economic sanctions on Iran have destabilized its economy, but the country’s administration is not willing to admit that it is in a recession. The killing of Iranian major general Qasem Soleimani in January 2020 sparked fury among Iranian executives prompting President Hassan Rouhani to warn the United States on a looming war. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has affected both nations (US and Iran) significantly. Enhanced sanctions have resulted in Iran’s provocations and threats of attack. The Iranian government is claiming that the United States’ forces’ presence in the Gulf region is causing insecurity in the region.
Scope and Impacts of USA-Iran Tensions
US-Iran tensions have sparked demonstrations among Iranian citizens and increased risk for insecurity in the region. The economic sanctions on Iran have downsized its banking sector and the oil market. Iran’s gross domestic product reduced by an estimated 4.8% in 2018 and 9.5% in continue reading…