CLO evaluated by this SA:
- CLO-3: Analyze the factors that influence national security decision-making and the relationships between the institutions responsible for U.S. national security.
NWC PLO supported by this SA:
- PLO-2: Create theater military strategies designed for contemporary security environments.
This SA covers the topics and concepts discussed in FPA-1 through FPA-8.
Answer the assigned question below as clearly and completely as possible with an essay not to exceed 1,000 words. Responses must be submitted via Blackboard as a Microsoft Word document, 12 pitch, Times New Roman Font, and double spaced.
For this SA, students must have successfully completed all prior FAs and met a standard on each that demonstrated a clear mastery of the CLOs assessed. SAs are graded evaluations of CLOs over several sessions for which a student must meet a standard that demonstrates a clear mastery of all the CLOs being evaluated. Further information on SAs is contained in paragraph 9.b of the NC&S LPA/TSDM syllabus. General guidance for written submissions/assessments is found in paragraph 10 of the NC&S LPA/TSDM syllabus.
Guidance: Throughout the eight FPA sessions you have developed an appreciation and understanding of the complexities of the domestic policy making environment with a key focus on the roles of the executive and legislative branches. You have also been exposed to the variety of external influences (both domestic and international) that weigh on policymakers. For SA-3 you will use what you have learned in these sessions to conduct an analysis of a case study involving a national security policy decision.
Read:
- Gvosdev, Nikolas K. “Case Study: Lebanon Revisited,” in Navigating the Theater Security Enterprise. Newport, RI: Naval War College, 2017, Ch.10: 219-246. (25 pp)
SA-3 QUESTION:
Drawing on student preparation materials, concepts, and discussions in FPA-1 through FPA-8, address the following three prompts in your response:
- Analyze and explain the various influences that led to President Reagan’s initial decision to deploy Marines to Lebanon and then the influences that led to his subsequent decision that they return to Lebanon.
- Explain whether you believe Congress yielded effective oversight of the Executive Branch and why/why not?
- Analyze and explain which interagency players (whether formal or informal) you believe influenced President Reagan’s decision to deploy (and re-deploy) Marines to Lebanon, and in what ways?
NOTE: By submitting this SA to the Professor for evaluation, I certify that I have read and understand paragraph 11 (Academic Integrity) of the NC&S LPA/TSDM syllabus regarding the College’s Academic Honor Code. I further certify that the work I have submitted is entirely my own and was not aided by the use of any artificial intelligence (AI) program (such as ChatGPT, etc.), through any academic sharing site (such as Course Hero and others), or through any other type of contract website or source where the work submitted is not entirely the students own work. I understand that my SA will be reviewed by plagiarism and AI software to ensure academic integrity and retained in a database of JPME academic responses.
SA-3 is due via Blackboard no later than 2359 on Thursday of week 9 (Oct 16, 2025). Submissions received after this time—without a prior written request from the student and a written approval (and a new suspense date) from the Professor—will be considered late. Such late submissions will result in a student earning a final grade not higher than 80%, B-.