Write a briefing memo to the incoming U.S. President as of January 20, 2025, from you, on the future relationship with German and soft power or diplomatic tools to promote U.S. interests and to improve relations and cooperation with Germany.
Instructions
The first half of the memo should be about the strategic issues of the bilateral relationships.
Include:
- the "grass roots" diplomacy
- recommend new and continuing programs that will implement those policies
*Don't just say: "reach out to German youth to improve their attitudes towards America." You must describe which German youth and who are they, how are they motivated and which specifically will you use in terms of programs and platforms? E.G. speeches to high schools, colleges? Social media platforms? Interviews with German media they read? Host music and arts events that will draw them to the Embassy?
The second half of your memo should be about your area of responsibility in the Embassy Country Team and what policies you will pursue to promote US interests. Address the following:
- What are your top three priorities for the next year and what programs will you implement achieve them?
- How will you measure success and who are the stakeholders in German society you will contact?
- What obstacles will you have to overcome and who are your allies in achieving your goals to improve the relationship?
Requirements
Your memo should be 5 - 7 pages with approximately 2,000 words.
Include all of the important bilateral issues as of today AND project forward over the next five years to the "over the horizon" issues of the future that will challenge us and present us with opportunities for success.
*Be creative and think outside the box, i.e. don't limit yourself to what the US State Department and the U.S. Embassy are doing today.
FORMAT
Here is another USG briefing memo format that you can use.
U.S. Embassy Berlin
Date
BRIEFING MEMORANDUM
TO: President Elect ?????
FROM: (your name – Position in the Embassy Country Team)
THROUGH: National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Ambassador O’Donnell
SUBJECT: Recommendations for the Future of the U.S. – German Bilateral Relationship ______________________________________________________________________________
Summary: (2-3 short sentences of the background and the issue and your recommendations)
Issues: (State the issues you are analyzing and writing about)
Background: Identify your role in the Embassy Country Team. Provide a short, concise description of the major issues and facts, events that are relevant to understand the issues in the bilateral relationship that you will discuss. (Be creative!)
Discussion: Give the issues you selected and why they are important to U.S. interests and values. What are the diplomatic tools available to the US and what will be most effective? What are your public affairs and press strategy? What can we encourage other nations to do? If there are various views on what options the US has and what US policy should be, state that with pros and cons of each option and what reaction would be among stakeholders in Germany and in the United States. What are chances of success and what are longer term implications?
Recommendations: What is your bottom-line proposals to the President-Elect on what US policies should be and how it should be implemented? Which diplomatic tools should be used? Is there a military component to your recommendations or other U.S. Government agencies through a “whole of government approach”?
the outlines and the resources
Enhancing U.S.-Germany Bilateral Relations through Security and Diplomacy
Outline for Briefing Memo to President Trump
Summary:
- Outline the importance of the U.S.-Germany relationship in advancing global security, economic stability, and democratic values.
- Summarize key recommendations, emphasizing security cooperation and innovative diplomatic strategies to strengthen ties and promote mutual interests.
Issues:
- Countering transnational crime and terrorism through enhanced U.S.-Germany law enforcement collaboration.
- Addressing the rise of cyber threats and misinformation campaigns.
- Promoting grass-roots diplomacy to improve perceptions of U.S. policies among German youth and communities.
Background:
- Role as Regional Security Officer (RSO): Responsible for ensuring the safety of U.S. personnel and facilities, managing law enforcement partnerships, and supporting intelligence and counterterrorism efforts (Bureau of Diplomatic Security, n.d.).
- Key bilateral issues: Addressing shared security challenges, facilitating cultural understanding, and projecting U.S. influence through strategic programs (U.S. Department of State, n.d.).
Discussion:
- Strategic Issues in Bilateral Relationship:
- Importance of Germany as a NATO ally and an economic powerhouse in Europe.
- Existing partnerships and areas requiring reinforcement, such as counterterrorism and anti-drug trafficking (National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), n.d.).
- Opportunities for collaboration in cyber defense and combating misinformation.
- Grass-Roots Diplomacy:
- Targeting programs to engage German youth, educators, and media influencers.
- Initiatives:
- Organize cyber security workshops in German high schools and universities.
- Host exchange programs focusing on U.S.-German collaboration in law enforcement and public safety (Pew Research Center, 2021).
- Leverage social media campaigns to showcase bilateral success stories.
- RSO's Strategic Policies and Programs:
- Enhancing intelligence-sharing mechanisms with German agencies.
- Expanding joint training programs for counterterrorism and cybercrime investigations.
- Facilitating workshops to address drug trafficking issues, with a focus on combating synthetic opioid distribution networks.
- Measuring Success and Engaging Stakeholders:
- Metrics: Reduction in transnational crime, improved public perceptions of U.S. policies, and increased participation in bilateral programs.
- Key stakeholders: German law enforcement, educators, youth organizations, and civil society groups.
- Obstacles and Allies:
- Challenges: Public skepticism of U.S. policies, resource limitations, and potential political resistance.
- Allies: NATO partners, German security agencies, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations (NATO, n.d.).
Recommendations:
- Strengthen joint counterterrorism and anti-drug trafficking initiatives through interagency collaboration with German counterparts (Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), n.d.).
- Develop comprehensive cybersecurity training and public awareness programs.
- Invest in cultural exchange and grass-roots programs to foster mutual understanding and trust.
- Promote a whole-of-government approach to deepen the U.S.-Germany relationship, engaging U.S. agencies like DEA, FBI, and DNI alongside diplomatic efforts (Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), n.d.).
Reference
Bureau of Diplomatic Security. (n.d.). Regional security officer (RSO) fact sheet. U.S. Department of State. Retrieved from https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/FINAL-RSO-Factsheet.pdfLinks to an external site.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). (n.d.). Foreign offices. U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved from https://www.dea.gov/foreign-officesLinks to an external site.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). (n.d.). International offices. Retrieved from https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/international-officesLinks to an external site.
National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC). (n.d.). What we do. Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Retrieved from https://www.dni.gov/index.php/nctc-what-we-do/overviewLinks to an external site.
NATO. (n.d.). NATO and Germany. Retrieved from https://www.nato.intLinks to an external site.
Pew Research Center. (2021). German public opinion of the United States remains divided. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.orgLinks to an external site.
U.S. Department of State. (n.d.). Bureau of diplomatic security. Retrieved from https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secret...Links to an external site.