Question 1

Who serves on the Joint Chiefs of Staff?

Accepted Answer

The leaders of the armed forces serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This includes the highest-ranking officer (general or admiral) of each branch of the military - Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines - as well as the Chief of the National Guard Bureau.

Question 2

Who instituted the Millennium Challenge Account and who was designated to benefit from it?

Accepted Answer

The Millennium Challenge Account was instituted by President George W. Bush in 2004 and was designated to benefit poor countries that improved in areas such as taking anticorruption measures and protecting women's and civil rights.

Question 3

Although preventing nuclear proliferation has been a high-priority task since the Cold War, in the early twenty-first century, President George W. Bush signed a nuclear cooperation treating with __________ that seemed to give that country the go-ahead to speed up its weapons program.

Accepted Answer

In 2005, President George W. Bush signed a nuclear cooperation treaty with India, which exempted India from some international nonproliferation standards and allowed it to expand its nuclear weapons program.

Question 4

If present growth trends in China continue, the Chinese economy measured by GDP will likely surpass that of the United States in the next couple of decades, although GDP per person will lag behind because __________.

Accepted Answer

The large population in China means that even if the GDP surpasses that of the United States, GDP per person will still be lower due to a higher number of people sharing the total GDP.

Question 5

What is the role of the national security advisor?

Accepted Answer

The role of the national security advisor is to provide the president with independent advice about foreign and military policy. They serve as a key member of the president's national security team and provide guidance on matters such as diplomatic negotiations, military strategy, and intelligence gathering. While they may consult with experts in the field, their primary role is to provide the president with their own analysis and recommendations.

Question 6

Why do citizens play a smaller role in the formation of foreign policy than they do in the formation of domestic policy?

Accepted Answer

Foreign policy involves complex and unpredictable international affairs that necessitate quick decision-making and confidentiality, which can exclude the public's involvement.

Question 7

Who has the ultimate authority and control over U.S. foreign and military policy?

Accepted Answer

The president, as the Commander-in-Chief of the military and head of the executive branch, has the ultimate authority and control over U.S. foreign and military policy, including decisions related to international relations, military interventions, treaties, and defense spending. While Congress plays a role in approving and funding such policies, the president retains significant power to shape and implement them. The State Department, National Security Council, and Joint Chiefs of Staff also play important advisory and operational roles in the administration's foreign and military policy, but the president remains the ultimate decision-maker.

Question 8

One of the primary purposes of the war in Afghanistan was to __________.

Accepted Answer

The primary purpose of the war in Afghanistan was to remove the Taliban-led government following its refusal to hand over Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States. The Taliban provided him safe haven in Afghanistan, so the US-led coalition invaded the country to remove the Taliban and disrupt terrorist networks. The other options listed are not the primary reasons for the war in Afghanistan.

Question 9

Which agency was subjected to intense scrutiny by Congress, the press, and the public because it failed to alert the nation to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and misread the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq?

Accepted Answer

The agency that was subjected to intense scrutiny for failing to alert the nation to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and misreading the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq was the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Question 10

Why do some U.S. defense leaders consider Pakistan a more significant nuclear proliferation threat than Iran or North Korea?

Accepted Answer

Some U.S. defense leaders consider Pakistan a more significant nuclear proliferation threat than Iran or North Korea because the state security service in Pakistan has ties to terrorists, and the state has helped develop nuclear weapons programs in North Korea and Iran. This makes Pakistan a potential source of nuclear technology and expertise for other countries or non-state actors. Additionally, Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is widely believed to be the fastest-growing in the world, with some estimates suggesting that it could soon surpass that of the United Kingdom. Furthermore, instability in Pakistan and the history of military coups have raised concerns about the security and stability of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.

Question 11

The use of tactics and weapons such as roadside bombs, rocket-propelled grenades, sniper rifles, and AK-47 assault rifles in Iraq and Afghanistan is an example of __________ warfare.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of asymmetric warfare because one side, typically the insurgent or non-state actor, is using unconventional tactics and weapons to offset the advantages of the conventional and symmetrical forces they are facing.

Question 12

Procuring vital raw materials, protecting citizens traveling overseas, keeping trade markets open, and protecting firms operating in other countries are all functions that leaders perform to advance which of the following?

Accepted Answer

These functions relate to advancing the national interest, which refers to the strategic interests and goals of a nation-state, encompassing economic, political, and security dimensions. The other options are either too broad or do not sufficiently capture the actions and motivations of leaders in promoting these functions.

Question 13

Influence in world affairs that derives from the attractiveness to others of a nation's culture, products, and way of life is referred to as __________ power.

Accepted Answer

The influence that derives from cultural attractiveness, products, and way of life is referred to as "soft power." This term was coined by political scientist Joseph Nye to describe a nation's ability to influence others through attraction and persuasion rather than coercion or force. Soft power is often contrasted with hard power, which is the ability to influence others through military or economic might.

Question 14

Who heads the U.S. intelligence community?

Accepted Answer

The director of National Intelligence (DNI) heads the U.S. intelligence community. The DNI is the principal advisor to the president, the National Security Council, and the Homeland Security Council for intelligence matters related to national security.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes a hegemon?

Accepted Answer

A hegemon is a dominant power that maintains and protects the stability of a regional or global system. This includes providing services such as military assistance and economic protection to other countries in the system. The other choices do not accurately describe a hegemon.

Question 16

Which of the following agencies is mostly focused on foreign aid?

Accepted Answer

The Agency for International Development (USAID) is the primary agency responsible for administering foreign aid on behalf of the United States government. The other agencies listed have different missions, such as intelligence gathering (CIA, NSA, DIA) or defense (DIA). There is no agency called the "Agency for Foreign Aid and Assistance."

Question 17

What is the primary responsibility of the Department of Defense?

Accepted Answer

The primary responsibility of the Department of Defense is to implement military policy. This includes maintaining the readiness of the military forces to protect the country from outside threats and to execute military operations when necessary. Providing for homeland security is a responsibility of the Department of Homeland Security, and coordinating domestic security efforts is a joint effort of multiple agencies. Developing and advising on foreign policy is the responsibility of the Department of State.

Question 18

Which Cabinet-level department has primary responsibility for U.S. foreign policy?

Accepted Answer

The Department of State is the primary Cabinet-level department responsible for formulating and implementing U.S. foreign policy. It is responsible for maintaining relations with foreign governments and international organizations, negotiating treaties and agreements, and representing U.S. interests overseas. The other options listed have responsibilities related to national security, law enforcement, or domestic affairs, but they do not have the same level of involvement in foreign policy.

Question 19

Under George W. Bush's Millennium Challenge Account initiative, how should U.S. foreign aid be doled out?

Accepted Answer

The Millennium Challenge Account initiative under George W. Bush emphasized providing aid to countries that have made significant progress in essential areas for democracy, such as rule of law, economic freedom, and investment in health and education. This approach is based on the belief that aid should be targeted towards countries that are committed to good governance and economic growth, rather than simply giving money to all countries across-the-board or based on arbitrary factors like language or geography. By focusing on countries that demonstrate a commitment to democracy and development, the Millennium Challenge Account aims to ensure that aid is used effectively and efficiently to make a real impact on people's lives.

Question 20

Which of the following was true about the U.S. defense budget before big cuts were announced in early 2012?

Accepted Answer

Before the big cuts were announced in early 2012, the U.S. defense budget exceeded the budgets of all other NATO countries, Russia, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and India combined.

Quiz 18: Foreign Policy and National Defense