Poli 007: U.S. Foreign Policy, Spring 2015, Quiz #2

1. This photo displays all of the following features of POTUS' influence over FP except:

POTUS as head of government and head of state

POTUS as chief legislator

POTUS' power of persuasion

POTUS as commander in chief

The photo may display POTUS as head of government and head of state, POTUS' power of persuasion, and POTUS as commander in chief, but it does not show POTUS as chief legislator. This means that the photo does not depict the President's role in proposing and shaping legislation, which is one of the key aspects of the chief legislator role.

Explanation

The photo may display POTUS as head of government and head of state, POTUS' power of persuasion, and POTUS as commander in chief, but it does not show POTUS as chief legislator. This means that the photo does not depict the President's role in proposing and shaping legislation, which is one of the key aspects of the chief legislator role.

2. Which of the following examples best display POTUS acting as Chief Diplomat?

Bush's weekly videoconferences with PM Maliki of Iraq

Obama's decision to pull US troops out of Iraq

Bush's "Surge" strategy

Obama's delegating of responsibility over Iraq policy to Biden

Bush's weekly videoconferences with PM Maliki of Iraq best display POTUS acting as Chief Diplomat because it shows the President engaging in direct communication and diplomacy with a foreign leader. This demonstrates his role in conducting and managing foreign relations on behalf of the United States. The videoconferences indicate a commitment to maintaining a diplomatic relationship and working towards common goals with Iraq.

Explanation

Bush's weekly videoconferences with PM Maliki of Iraq best display POTUS acting as Chief Diplomat because it shows the President engaging in direct communication and diplomacy with a foreign leader. This demonstrates his role in conducting and managing foreign relations on behalf of the United States. The videoconferences indicate a commitment to maintaining a diplomatic relationship and working towards common goals with Iraq.

3. Which of the following is true?

PC

NSS=DC+PC

IPC>DC

PC=NSC-POTUS

The equation PC = NSC - POTUS is true. This equation represents the relationship between PC (Presidential Candidate), NSC (National Security Council), and POTUS (President of the United States). It suggests that the number of Presidential Candidates is equal to the National Security Council minus the President of the United States.

Explanation

The equation PC = NSC - POTUS is true. This equation represents the relationship between PC (Presidential Candidate), NSC (National Security Council), and POTUS (President of the United States). It suggests that the number of Presidential Candidates is equal to the National Security Council minus the President of the United States.

4. Which of the following was not a cause of a weakened role for the Presidency over foreign policy?

Vietnam War

9/11

End of Cold War consensus

More assertive Congress

9/11 was not a cause of a weakened role for the Presidency over foreign policy. The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, actually led to an expansion of presidential power in the realm of foreign policy. In response to the attacks, the United States implemented various measures, such as the Patriot Act and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, which granted the President greater authority in matters of national security and counterterrorism. Therefore, 9/11 did not weaken the role of the Presidency over foreign policy, but rather strengthened it.

Explanation

9/11 was not a cause of a weakened role for the Presidency over foreign policy. The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, actually led to an expansion of presidential power in the realm of foreign policy. In response to the attacks, the United States implemented various measures, such as the Patriot Act and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, which granted the President greater authority in matters of national security and counterterrorism. Therefore, 9/11 did not weaken the role of the Presidency over foreign policy, but rather strengthened it.

5. The composition of the Principals' Committee (PC), Deputies' Committee (DC) and Inter-agency Policy Committee (IPC)....

Depends on the policy issue being discussed

Is fixed

Is determined by law

Is determined by the DoD and CIA since they have become so powerful over time

The composition of the Principals' Committee (PC), Deputies' Committee (DC), and Inter-agency Policy Committee (IPC) depends on the policy issue being discussed. This means that the individuals who are part of these committees may vary depending on the specific policy topic being addressed. The composition is not fixed or determined by law, but rather it is flexible and adaptable to ensure that the relevant expertise and perspectives are included in the decision-making process. The answer suggests that the composition of these committees is not determined solely by the DoD and CIA, but rather it takes into account the specific policy issue at hand.

Explanation

The composition of the Principals' Committee (PC), Deputies' Committee (DC), and Inter-agency Policy Committee (IPC) depends on the policy issue being discussed. This means that the individuals who are part of these committees may vary depending on the specific policy topic being addressed. The composition is not fixed or determined by law, but rather it is flexible and adaptable to ensure that the relevant expertise and perspectives are included in the decision-making process. The answer suggests that the composition of these committees is not determined solely by the DoD and CIA, but rather it takes into account the specific policy issue at hand.

6. The National Security Council system was created:

After WWII

After the Vietnam War

After 9/11

In the wake of the Cuban Missile Crisis

The National Security Council system was created after WWII to provide a forum for the President to discuss and coordinate national security policies with key advisors. The end of WWII marked a significant shift in global power dynamics and the United States emerged as a superpower. To effectively navigate the complexities of the post-war world, the establishment of the National Security Council system was deemed necessary to ensure effective decision-making and coordination on matters of national security.

Explanation

The National Security Council system was created after WWII to provide a forum for the President to discuss and coordinate national security policies with key advisors. The end of WWII marked a significant shift in global power dynamics and the United States emerged as a superpower. To effectively navigate the complexities of the post-war world, the establishment of the National Security Council system was deemed necessary to ensure effective decision-making and coordination on matters of national security.

7. According to Rothkopf's individual-level analysis of Bush and Obama as leaders, which of the following is not a difference between the two POTUSes?

By personal background, Obama was more connected to the world

Bush came from more privileged background

Obama has a more cautious lawyerly style

Much more than Obama, Bush came into office in January 2011 determined to pursue nation-building and democracy-promotion around the world

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Explanation

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8. The National Security Advisor is powerful for all of the following reasons except:

S/he is usually close to the president

S/he is not subject to Congressional confirmation

S/he is formally the boss of the Secretary of State

S/he has responsibility for coordinating the foreign policy process and ensuring the President's wishes are carried out

S/he oversees the NSS which has been getting more powerful over time

The National Security Advisor is not formally the boss of the Secretary of State. While the National Security Advisor holds a significant position in the administration and advises the President on matters of national security, they do not have direct authority over the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is a Cabinet-level position and is responsible for conducting foreign policy and representing the United States abroad. Therefore, the National Security Advisor does not have formal authority over the Secretary of State.

Explanation

The National Security Advisor is not formally the boss of the Secretary of State. While the National Security Advisor holds a significant position in the administration and advises the President on matters of national security, they do not have direct authority over the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is a Cabinet-level position and is responsible for conducting foreign policy and representing the United States abroad. Therefore, the National Security Advisor does not have formal authority over the Secretary of State.

9. What could be a consequence of the domination of functional (as opposed to regional) directors in the NSS?

POTUS is well briefed on the fine points of clan dynamics in Kurdistan

Larger, global dynamics and US strategies are overlooked

Iraq's internal sectarian divisions are misunderstood and underestimated

There is not enough focus on counter-terrorism

The consequence of the domination of functional directors in the NSS could be that Iraq's internal sectarian divisions are misunderstood and underestimated. This is because functional directors tend to focus on specific areas of expertise and may not have a comprehensive understanding of regional dynamics and complexities. As a result, they may overlook or misunderstand the deep-rooted sectarian divisions within Iraq, leading to ineffective strategies and policies in addressing these issues.

Explanation

The consequence of the domination of functional directors in the NSS could be that Iraq's internal sectarian divisions are misunderstood and underestimated. This is because functional directors tend to focus on specific areas of expertise and may not have a comprehensive understanding of regional dynamics and complexities. As a result, they may overlook or misunderstand the deep-rooted sectarian divisions within Iraq, leading to ineffective strategies and policies in addressing these issues.

10. Which of the following are not among the normal roles of the National Security Staff (NSS)?

Coordination of the interagency policy process and policy implementation follow-up.

Playing a central diplomatic role in important negotiations

Articulation of the President’s policies to other departments and, at times, to the U.S. public (through the National Security Advisor).

Foreign policy advice to the president

Direct support to the President in crisis management.

The National Security Staff (NSS) is responsible for coordinating the interagency policy process and policy implementation follow-up, articulating the President's policies to other departments and the U.S. public, providing foreign policy advice to the President, and offering direct support in crisis management. However, playing a central diplomatic role in important negotiations is not listed as one of the normal roles of the NSS.

Explanation

The National Security Staff (NSS) is responsible for coordinating the interagency policy process and policy implementation follow-up, articulating the President's policies to other departments and the U.S. public, providing foreign policy advice to the President, and offering direct support in crisis management. However, playing a central diplomatic role in important negotiations is not listed as one of the normal roles of the NSS.