Overview
For this assignment, your role is the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs
Review the module materials and your lecture notes, with particular emphasis on:
Biden and Ukraine, a Strategy for the New Administration; this is part of the Atlantic Council Package entitled 'What Should Biden Do About Ukraine?'
Ukraine-Russia Conflict: A Way Forward (Rojansky); this is a chapter in the Center for the National Interest publication entitled 'A New Direction in U.S.-Russia Relations.'
Pifer: 'Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. Policy Response.'
Write a briefing memorandum for the Secretary of State that proposes a policy on Ukraine for him to present at a Principals Committee meeting.
- Your Memorandum Should:
Briefly summarize the debate between the ‘Washington Consensus’ on support for Ukraine and the ‘Realist’ point of view.
Recommend a course of action that includes what tools you think should be employed to protect/advance USG interests, making it clear why you are making these recommendations.
Tell the Secretary whether his relevant cabinet colleagues will support, oppose, or seek to alter his proposal and why.
Tell him the likely reaction of Allies, Russia, and Ukraine if your recommendation is adopted
- This memo must be in the format of the model memorandum, including talking points. The 'TO' line would be: TO: The Secretary. The 'FROM' line would be: FROM: EUR -- Your First and Last Name, e.g. James R. Jones.
There's no need to include a clearance page. This memo would be drafted by an officer on the Ukraine Desk and cleared by, at a minimum, S, D, P, S/P, the Deputy Assistant Secretary responsible for Ukraine, the Ukraine Country Director, and likely several others.