Ends ways and means strategy framework

2021 Iran Nuclear Test: Ends, ways and means

You are a member of the National Security Council staff asked to recommend an appropriate United States response to the notional 2021 Iranian nuclear test crisis. Develop a strategy proposal using the “Ends, Ways and Means” model. Ensure that your actions are consistent with US policy and the state of international affairs in the notional 2021 scenario. Keep in mind that you are writing recommendations, not directions. Write from the perspective of a staff official presenting a report to the President.

There are three objectives: Guidance on ends, ways and means:

First, develop strategic objectives (ends) based on the national interests, and the environment described in the Air Force Strategic Environment Assessment 2014-2034.

As H. Richard Yarger explains, “objectives (ends) explain ‘what’ needs to be accomplished…strategic objectives directly serve the strategic purpose—the desired end state” (Yarger, pg. 52, 54). Recall that, “objectives (ends) explain ‘what’ needs to be accomplished…strategic objectives directly serve the strategic purpose—the desired end state” (Yarger, pg. 52, 54).

Second, develop “strategic concepts (ways) [that] explain ‘how’ the objectives are to be accomplished by the employment of the instruments of power…Strategic concepts link resources to the objectives by addressing who does what, where, when, and why to explain how an objective will be achieved” (Yarger, pg. 55). (See “Note on how the United States should apply the instruments of national power” below.)

Third, keeping in mind that this is at the strategic level, so “determine the types and levels of resources [means] that are necessary to support the concepts of the strategy” (Yarger, pg. 60).

NOTE on how the United States should apply the instruments of national power:

Keep in mind that we are essentially looking for your recommendations on how the instruments of national power should be used. Do not spend too much time describing the issue; focus your efforts on recommendations. The best recommendations are ones that are clear, concrete, and as specific as possible.

The paper must also have these elements accomplished:

· Have I demonstrated adequate justification for each recommendation?

· Have I integrated my recommendations?

· Have I integrated the instruments of national power in my recommendations?

Word count: minimum 1,500, maximum 2,000 (approximately 5-7 pages).

The essay must include a properly formatted cover page (see above), double-spaced text, Times New Roman 12pt font, 1-inch margins, as well as full endnote-style citations for paraphrasing and quotations. Endnotes are not counted as part of your total word count.