GEP - Current Events Email - March 1, 2009

+ archive

Dear Educator:

Each month World Savvy will post current events resources for one topic, with links for articles at varying reading levels, a list of relevant standards, and discussion questions and curriculum that can be used to teach about the issues covered by that news story. For more in-depth current events resources, please preview and subscribe to our World Savvy Monitor, www.monitor.worldsavvy.org.

Secretary of State Clinton Visits East Asia

In late February, the new Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made her first foreign trip to Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, and China. Choosing East Asia as a site for her first foreign trip is an indication that the Obama administration intends to strengthen ties with its Asian allies. Secretary Clinton’s emphasis on public outreach, with events such as town-hall meetings and appearances on popular television shows that are reminiscent of her 2008 Presidential campaign, is a unique approach to diplomacy, and may be vital to repairing the image of the United States abroad.

Advanced Article: Economist
Intermediate Article: Washington Post
Beginning Article: BBC News

Multimedia resources and Analysis:
NPR: Clinton’s Brand of Diplomacy on Display in Asia - NPR
State Department: Secretary Clinton Welcome Remarks at State Department - State Department (video download)
Time: Can Hilary Clinton and Her Envoys Rebuild US Diplomacy? - Time

Discussion Questions:

1. How is Secretary Clinton’s approach to diplomacy different from previous Secretaries?
2. How is the United States perceived in East Asia?
3. What are the important foreign policy issues to the United States in East Asia?
4. Why do you think Secretary Clinton decided to make her first foreign trip to East Asia, rather than Europe or the Middle East?
5. How do you think the Obama Administration’s foreign policy will be different from the Bush Administration’s foreign policy?
6. Do you think Secretary Clinton’s approach to diplomacy will be effective? Why or why not?

Curriculum:

1. New York Times: New Directions for Diplomacy: New York Times
2. PBS Newshour Extra: Why is North Korea Going Alone? PBS
3. EDSiteMent: The New Order of “Greater East Asia” (Historical Perspective) EDSite

California Standards:

U.S. History: 11.9 - Foreign Policy post-WWII

+ back to top

---

The views expressed in the articles and resources listed above are not the views of World Savvy. They are listed here as resources for educators but do not necessarily reflect the opinions and priorities of World Savvy. If you ever want to unsubscribe from this list, just send an email to Kelly at kelly@worldsavvy.org.