Name: ____________________________________________________
Ms. Dennis and Mr. Patten
Date: _____________________________
Frontline Video: Obama’s War
Part I Instructions: Base your answers to the questions below on the video shown in class. Answer each
question completely. You will receive a grade for this assignment.
Chapter #1: Taliban Stronghold
1. What is the objective of the war?
2. How many marines landed in Helmand in July of 2009?
3. Why is the Southern portion of Afghanistan significant in this war?
4. What conditions do the U.S. troops face? Give specific examples.
5. According to the video, what is the primary purpose of their mission in southern Afghanistan?
6. What difficulties do the Marines face in trying to form relationships with the Afghan people they
encounter?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter #2: On the Frontlines of the Counterinsurgency
1. What have the troops been encouraged to do? Why?
2. What risks do they face?
3. What threats have the Taliban made to the Afghan people?
4. Despite the good intentions for Helmand, what has happened to this city?
5. How much did the Taliban make on their opium exports?
6. Why is frustration amongst the Marines common?
7. What frustration do the Afghan people have with the U.S. troops?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter #3: The War’s Political Front
1. How has President Obama tried to improve political problems in Afghanistan?
2. How does corruption weaken the government in Afghanistan? Give examples from the video.
3. What progress has been made, if any, to combat corruption in the Afghan government?
4. How does corruption in the Afghan government increase the power of the Taliban?
5. How has the U.S. tried to counteract the Taliban? Where have they neglected?
6. What habits is the military trying to break in the city of Kunar? Give examples.
7. Why are the efforts of the U.S. considered to be “ambitious?”
8. How will this war end?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter #4: Pakistan – Toughest Challenge of All
1. What are the problems with the partnership between the United States and the Pakistan? Explain.
2. Explain the relationship between the Taliban and Pakistan?
3. What is Pakistan’s view towards the future of a stable Afghanistan?
4. Why is Pakistan the toughest challenge of all for the United States?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter #5: No Easy Answers
1. Why was August 20th an important day in Afghanistan’s history? Explain.
2. What was the political platform of the presidential candidates and how were these platforms tainted?
3. Why was the Afghanistan presidential election a disaster for the United States foreign policy?
4. Why is it so important for Afghanistan to have a working government?
5. Explain the positives and negatives for at least 2 of the United States options?
6. What were Gen. McCrystal’s recommendations to President Obama? Explain his view on the War in
Afghanistan?
7. Why are there no easy answers for the United States involvements in Afghanistan?