CNN Presents Classroom Edition - Educator Guide

Showdown Iraq: Five Questions

Background

(Teachers: This program contains scenes that some individuals may find disturbing. We advise you to preview.)

Before viewing Showdown Iraq: Five Questions, you may want to use textbooks and Web sites (see Resources) to provide students with a background on the history of the United States' relations with Iraq. Topics may include Saddam Hussein, the Gulf War, United Nations sanctions, Operation Desert Fox, and international opinion on the use of force against Iraq. For lessons and backgrounders on these topics, visit these CNNstudentnews.com sites:

• Examine Iraq's Relationship with the United Nations and the United States (http://fyi.cnn.com/2002/fyi/lesson.plans/02/01/backgrounder.iraq/)

• Examine Bush's Case Against Iraq (http://fyi.cnn.com/2002/fyi/lesson.plans/09/12/bush.iraq/)

• Examine Iraq's History of United Nations Noncompliance (http://fyi.cnn.com/2002/fyi/lesson.plans/09/17/bush.dismisses.offer/)

• Investigate roles of the president and Congress in national security (http://fyi.cnn.com/2002/fyi/lesson.plans/09/19/bush.seeks.strike/)

• Examine public opinion polls related to U.S. policy on Iraq (http://fyi.cnn.com/2002/fyi/lesson.plans/09/24/lawmakers.debate.iraq/)

• Research the British Prime Minister's case against Saddam Hussein (http://fyi.cnn.com/2002/fyi/lesson.plans/09/24/blair.presents.evidence/)

• Investigate the U.S. stance on weapons inspections (http://fyi.cnn.com/2002/fyi/lesson.plans/10/01/weapon.inspection/)

• Examine parallels between the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Iraq crisis (http://fyi.cnn.com/2002/fyi/lesson.plans/10/08/bush.speech/)

• Analyze the U.S.-Israel relationship (http://fyi.cnn.com/2002/fyi/lesson.plans/10/16/bush.resolution/)

• Evaluate reactions to the U.N. Resolution (http://fyi.cnn.com/2002/fyi/lesson.plans/11/10/iraq.resolution/)

Pre-viewing Questions

Pose the following questions to students prior to watching Showdown Iraq: Five Questions. As they watch the program, students should search for information to help address each question:

• What is the history of the relationship between the United States and Iraq?

• What role does the United Nations play in resolving international conflicts? What are sanctions? Why did the United Nations impose sanctions on Iraq? How has the United Nations addressed Iraq's violations of its sanctions since 1990? How effective has the United Nations been in enforcing the sanctions?

• Why is the United States now considering going to war with Iraq? What evidence is laid out in the United States' case against Iraq?

• What are the United States' objectives in going to war with Iraq? How would this war be carried out? Is the goal to get rid of the weapons of mass destruction or to topple Saddam Hussein and replace him with a pro-democracy leader-or both?

• Is the Middle East more stable with or without Saddam Hussein? Does the United States risk a backlash if it deposes him?

• What are some arguments for and against going to war with Iraq?

• How has the international community responded to the United States' call for military action? Will the United States require the support of its allies before taking military action? What are the potential consequences for taking unilateral action against Iraq?

• What are the short-term and long-term implications for going to war with Iraq? What are the possible consequences of a war on Iraq for the Middle East, and for the War on Terrorism?

• How do students think a war with Iraq might affect their lives?

Next: "Segment Summaries and Discussion Questions"

Previous: "Curriculum Connections"

"Program Overview"