FIASCO

FIASCO
//The American Military Adventure in Iraq// by Thomas Ricks

Listening Assignment:
 * Everyone: Listen to the mp3 Ricks speaking in 2008 about his book and the situation in Iraq.**

media type="file" key="Thomas Ricks_ Iraq is a Shakespearean Tragedy.mp3" width="240" height="20"

Reading Assignment:
 * Everyone: Intro. "Cast of Characters"**


 * Group #1:**
 * Brandon Martinez**
 * Brad Sedillo**
 * Marissa Martinez**
 * Matt Sanchez**
 * Alex Trujillo**
 * Josh Lubold**

Part I - Containment pp1-115 Here is the link I promised you: ( http://www.newamericancentury.org/index.html)

Questions to consider: 1) What was the interest of the US in Iraq in 2003 2) "This Changes Everything..." How? 3) In the "run up" to the war what were the errors a) Of the Bush administration? b) Of the US Congress? c) Of the Press (print and TV)? d) Of the military (joint chiefs)?

Part II - Into Iraq pp115-300
 * Group #2:**
 * Brittany Johnson**
 * Joseph Ortiz**
 * Elle Mascarenas**
 * Julian Vigil**
 * Ryan Warrick**
 * Lucas Strickland**

Questions to consider: 1) What were the first mistakes of the war as executed in theater? 2) How would you characterize the Coalition Provisional Authority first under General Garner and then under Paul Bremer? What incidents, policies lead you to your conclusion(s)? 3) How did the Abu Gareb scandal emerge and what were the short term ramifications?


 * Group #3:**
 * Alexander Gordon**
 * Antonia Duran**
 * Noah Ivey**
 * Cullin Coyle**
 * Forest Bolen**

Part III - The Long Term pp301-430 1) What lessons do you think emerge from the battle of Falluja? 2) What was the long term effect of the Abu Gareb scandal and how did it connect to the deterioration of security? 3) Looking at the elections and the turnover of the Iraqi governance to a soveriegn Iraqi government - what does it mean?


 * Post-script for everyone** - FIASCO was published in 2006 with a new postscript added in 2007. What lessons can we draw from the book in 2012?


 * Group Presentations**:


 * 1) Be sure to look at the Presentation Guidelines page for tips on how to do an effective presentation
 * 2) Your presentation should be around 30-35 minutes long
 * 3) The groups will present on their assigned sections of //Fiasco// starting 10/29
 * 4) All of class on 10/24 will be devoted to working with your group to develop your presentations and study //Fiasco//