What Is An Op-Ed On War And Terror

On War And Terrorwhat Is An Op Edop Ed Is Short For Opposite The Edi

On War And Terrorwhat Is An Op Edop Ed Is Short For Opposite The Edi

ON WAR AND TERROR What is an Op-Ed? Op-Ed is short for “opposite the editorial page,” though it is often interpreted as “opinion-editorial.” Op-Eds regularly appear in major and not-so-major newspapers such as the Seattle Times, WSU’s Daily Evergreen, or the Moscow-Pullman Daily News. While you will take a position on a topic, you will ground your position not in feeling or belief (opinion) but in substantiated evidence (historical analysis). Your audience for this written assignment is the general reading public, not an academic one.

Write in a way that engages the casual newspaper reader. Because this assignment asks you to simulate a newspaper column, be sure to keep to the word limit. The purpose of a historical op-ed is to connect an important and specific contemporary event or controversy to a historical issue recently covered. Key questions to consider include: How does the past help us better understand current issues? Do past events clarify the origins of current problems? Do they parallel present controversies? How can understanding historical origins help us address current challenges? How might we learn from past mistakes and successes?

Your op-ed must:

  • Range from 800 to 1000 words (excluding the title and footnotes);
  • Be single-spaced with paragraphs of no more than 3-4 sentences;
  • Use 12-point font and one-inch margins;
  • Begin with a specific, recent current event or controversy (within the past month) as your hook (the “lede”);
  • Develop a succinct argument connecting the event or controversy to historical context;
  • Provide at least three concrete historical examples from assigned readings, films, or discussions to support your argument, with at least one primary source; quotes should be sparing and properly contextualized;
  • Include Chicago-style footnote citations for sources;
  • Conclude by returning to your argument and the contemporary event or controversy.

Paper For Above instruction

Recent headlines have highlighted growing global tensions surrounding counterterrorism policies, reigniting debates about the effectiveness and morality of military interventions. To understand these contemporary controversies, it is instructive to look back at the historical roots of war and terrorism, particularly the legacy of early 20th-century conflicts and how they shaped modern geopolitical strategies.

The first historical example is the British response to the Arab revolt during World War I. In a 1915 letter, Sir Henry McMahon promised Arab independence in exchange for revolt against the Ottoman Empire, a pledge that later contributed to regional instability. This primary source reveals how wartime promises and colonial ambitions set the stage for future conflicts in the Middle East, echoing today's tensions over sovereignty and foreign influence.

Second, the aftermath of the 1953 Iranian coup d'état exemplifies how foreign intervention continues to fuel anti-imperialist sentiments. The CIA-backed overthrow of Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh restored Shah Pahlavi’s monarchy, leading to decades of autocratic rule. As historian Ervand Abrahamian notes, this event highlights the long-term consequences of covert operations shaping political stability and insurgency, paralleling current debates over covert versus overt military actions.

Third, the Vietnam War’s counterinsurgency strategies offer lessons on the limits of military power in combating terrorism. The U.S. military’s efforts to win hearts and minds often failed due to disconnects between military objectives and local realities. The primary source—President Lyndon B. Johnson’s speeches—demonstrates the rhetoric of containment, which, despite intentions, contributed to prolonged conflict and distrust, mirroring today’s challenges in winning popular support for counterterrorism measures.

In conclusion, understanding these historical episodes underscores that military interventions in the name of combating terror often have complex, long-lasting repercussions. As contemporary policymakers grapple with similar challenges, reflecting on past successes and failures can inform more nuanced, effective approaches rooted in historical awareness rather than reactive measures.

References

  • Abrahamian, Ervand. “The Coup of 1953 in Iran: Anatomy of a Coup.” Middle East Journal, vol. 47, no. 4, 1993, pp. 473–491.
  • Johnson, Lyndon B. “Remarks at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.” March 20, 1965.
  • McMahon, Sir Henry. “Letter to Sharif Husayn, 1915.” In The Prospect of Peace: The Middle East and the Great Powers. Edited by John W. Burton, 2000.
  • Lopez, Antonio. “The Legacy of the Arab Revolt in World War I.” Journal of Middle Eastern History, 2018.
  • Gordon, Philip H. Controlling Chaos: How America Grants and Denies Nuclear Weapons. Princeton University Press, 2004.
  • Hosein, Ervand. The Legacy of the 1953 Coup: Politics and Society in Iran. Columbia University Press, 2010.
  • Rosenberg, David. “Counterinsurgency and the Limits of Military Power,” Military Review, 2015.
  • Chung, Linda. “The Impact of Colonial Promises in the Middle East,” Journal of Colonial History, 2019.
  • United States Department of State. “Historical Background on Iran 1953,” 2013.
  • Falk, Richard. “War on Terror: Historical Roots and Contemporary Challenges,” International Affairs Review, 2020.

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