National Security

A central role of government is to protect its citizens from threats at home and abroad, but an enduring challenge is how to do so given the legal and moral constraints, as well as the practical limitations on the government’s powers. Since September 11, 2001, the U.S. government has sought to protect the nation from terrorism with extremely mixed results; in some cases, arguably stretching the bounds of its power. This track invites students to imagine themselves as decision-makers in government, seeking to protect the nation while grappling with the consequences of their choices. How have methods of protecting the nation succeeded and failed? Has the U.S. government overstepped its legal and moral limits in doing so? To what lengths are we willing to go to secure democracy—and who decides?

This track will be offered at least through the 2023-24 academic year.

Courses

Faculty Team

HNUH249T: National Security: Domestic Dilemmas

Instructor: Daniel Rosenthal

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the U.S. launched a major effort to dismantle the Taliban and create a sustainable democracy in Afghanistan. In 2021, the Taliban took control of the country. Was the U.S. effort doomed to fail? To answer this question, UH students will partner with peers at the American University of Afghanistan through a virtual global classroom to examine the lessons learned from the U.S. and international presence in Afghanistan over the past 20 years. Through reading assignments and virtual meetings with former senior U.S. and Afghan officials, students will examine the reasons behind the downfall of the country and analyze whether the outcome could have been changed. Students are not expected to have any prior knowledge about the conflict in Afghanistan. This course is self-contained but paired with HNUH249T in the National Security track, which explores debates around efforts to protect the nation from terrorism while preserving our values.

GenEd: TBD
Offered: Every Fall semester
Required/Optional: Required

HNUH249P: National Security: US Foreign Policy

Instructor: Temim Nusraty

The police detain a man thought to be plotting a terrorist attack the next day in a U.S. city that would kill or injure thousands. They want to subject him to “enhanced interrogation,” which some consider to be torture. Should the police be permitted to use enhanced interrogation techniques? Who decides? This course will ask key questions raised during the efforts of our national security apparatus to protect the nation. Given the tension between the powers of the government to protect citizens, and the necessary limits on that power, what are the fundamental principles that should govern our efforts to protect the nation while preserving our values? Students will try their hand at finding the delicate balance of these principles in difficult national security dilemmas. This course is self-contained but paired with HNUH249P in the National Security track, which explores post-9/11 policy decisions around the U.S. effort to create a sustainable democracy in Afghanistan.

GenEd: TBD
Offered: Every Spring semester
Required/Optional: Required

Associate Fellow

Tim Nusraty

Faculty Fellow