CNN Presents Classroom Edition - Educator Guide

Showdown Iraq: Lines in the Sand

Suggestions for using CNN Presents Classroom Edition: Showdown Iraq: Lines in the Sand in the classroom:

A. Show the program in short segments. After each segment, ask students to identify the key questions and information addressed. Provide opportunities for students to discuss the topics presented in each segment and ask any remaining questions.

B. Challenge students to examine each segment for information that could help them address the following broad questions: (Note to Teacher: Because of the late-breaking nature of the program, topics might change after this guide is published. Please preview the program. You may need to alter questions accordingly.)

1. How would a U.S. occupation of Iraq work and what potential challenges lay ahead? When and how would the U.S. transition from an occupation of Iraq to self-governance? Could a free Iraq spread democracy throughout the region?
2. If regime change is the goal, why not simply assassinate Saddam Hussein? What are the legal issues, moral questions and practical realities of assassination? Even if the U.S. wanted to assassinate Saddam Hussein, could it get to him?
3. President Bush says Saddam Hussein is a threat, but could war with Iraq put the U.S. at war with the Arab world? How do Arabs in other countries feel about U.S. intentions on the eve of a possible war?

C. Present one of the activity suggestions below, one of the activities included on the four previous CNN Presents Classroom Edition: Showdown Iraq specials or an activity from any of the CNNStudentNews.com lessons.

1. In a speech on February 26, 2003, President George W. Bush compared the rebuilding of Iraq to U.S. efforts after World War II to rebuild war-ravaged countries, including wartime enemies Germany and Japan. Review with students the rebuilding efforts taken on by the U.S. and the international community following WWII. Have students discuss why they think Mr. Bush makes a comparison between a post-Saddam Iraq and a post-WWII Japan and Germany, and whether or not, based on the comments made by Pulitzer Prize winning writer John Dower and on their own research, they think this comparison is accurate. Encourage students to list the many challenges faced by the U.S. and the international community in rebuilding a post-Saddam Iraq, from occupation to self-governance.
2. Inform students that Executive Order 12-333, section 2.11 states: "No person employed by or acting on behalf of the United States government shall engage in, or conspire to engage in, assassination." Conduct a class discussion on the challenges and implications of the Bush administration's stance on regime change. Have students debate the various perspectives on the U.S. goal of regime change.
3. Organize students into pairs. Have them identify the Arab countries mentioned in the program, and other Arab countries that surround Iraq, and assign one of these countries to each pair of students. Direct pairs to the Internet resources to learn more about the opinions of the Arab community in their assigned country. Using the Web resources and the information presented in the program, each pair of students should write a memo to President Bush and his staff outlining the opinions of the Arab community in their assigned country with respect to the U.S. and Iraq, and predicting what the U.S. might expect from this country both during a conflict and after.

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