NS4054 Fall Term 2013

Ideas for Team Project and Briefing

Policy Assignment

• Briefing book

• Teams of 4-6. Minimum of two from NSA dept and two from Energy curriculum on each team.

• Prepare briefing book consisting of briefing (10 slides), 2 page covering policy memo and individual background/policy papers from each team member.

• Audience is fictional Interagency Policy Committee on Energy Security, chaired by NSC.

• Focus on an actionable problem that can be addressed by US interagency process.

Possible Topics I

• China’s growing demand for energy: opportunities and threats for US national security.

• Russia’s energy policy: implications for international and US security.

• Impact of resource nationalism on future global energy supplies.

• What is the future for nuclear energy?

• Limiting fuel consumption by deployed forces through alternative energy sources.

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Possible Topics II

• Iraq: A Future Source of Oil for the U.S.?

• Mexico/U.S. Energy Cooperation – Possibilities and Constraints

• Canadian Keystone XL Pipeline – Costs and Benefits for the U.S. Policy recommendation.

• Should the U.S. Introduce a Carbon Tax?

• Iranian Sanctions – Costs and benefits

• Shale Gas – Changing the world power structures?

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