Write a policy brief for either the US government or the UN Security Council

identifies plausible alternative courses of action, and makes an argument for which course of action should be

implemented by your chosen audience (US/UNSC). While course readings may be drawn on to support the logic of

your argument and the development of policy alternatives, there is no requirement that you explicitly engage with a

minimum number of authors. The analysis should be supported with material from your case bibliography and

documented throughout. The policy brief should be structured as follows:

a. Introduction: Provide a one paragraph overview of the policy brief as a whole and states as an argument

your proposed policy direction.

b. Context/Nature of Crisis: In 1-2 paragraphs, describe the nature of the crisis, identify what you understand

to be its central causes, define the aspect of it that you will be addressing, and explain why it matters (or

should matter) for the US or the UNSC.

c. Policy Alternatives: Develop an analysis of 2-3 possible courses of action for your chosen audience. For

each course of action identify what you anticipate would be the likely benefits as well as the potential

drawbacks.

d. Policy Recommendation: Make an argument for which policy alternative you think should be implemented

by your chosen audience. Be sure to include the necessary conditions under which your argument holds as

well as the potential downsides to your proposed course of action.

e. Conclusion: One paragraph that briefly summarizes the argument of the paper.

(Length: 2000 words.)