Evaluate the EU's plan to unite for Afghan peacekeeping force

Overview: What is the European Union? What plan did the EU recently announce? Use the article and discussion/activity to have students evaluate the EU's decision to participate in the United Nations' plan for an Afghanistan peacekeeping force.

Curriculum Connections: International Relations, Current Issues

Have students read the CNNfyi.com article, "EU nations unite for Afghan peacekeeping force," and ask the following questions:

1. What is the European Union (EU)? How many countries are members of the EU? What international initiative have all of the EU member nations agreed to support? Who is Lois Michel? According to Michel, why is the creation of a multinational "stabilization" force a very important EU initiative?

2. How many of the EU members will take part in the stabilization force in Afghanistan? What function do you think this force will provide? Why do you think the United Nations needs to approve the EU's plan? What are some of the countries outside of the EU that are prepared to join the stabilization force?

3. In the article Michel states that the EU initiative is "a turning point in the history of the European Union." Ask students: What does Michel mean? Help students to identify examples of recent international conflicts in which European nations have been involved including Bosnia and Kosovo. Group students and assign each group a conflict. Have each group conduct research to identify each EU member nation's response to the conflict, and how these nations' responses impacted the EU community as a whole. After groups present their findings, ask: Why do you think all of the EU member nations have agreed to support the United Nations' plan for an Afghanistan peacekeeping force? How does the EU as a whole stand to benefit from this decision?