### Title: “U.S. Foreign Policy in Global Context: A Comparative Analysis”
**Synopsis:** This lesson focused on examining the historical and present-day relationships between the United States and various countries as selected by the students. The objective was to identify patterns of U.S. involvement and local perceptions, which will inform the students’ upcoming diplomatic scenario reports.
**Attendance:**
– One student, Zarifa, was absent for their presentation.
– Several students mentioned they would be leaving for an international students’ meeting.
**Topics Covered:**
1. **Recap of Previous Class:** Review of country timelines by online students.
2. **Country Presentations:**
– Libya: Historical U.S. sanctions and diplomatic relations.
– Iran: U.S.-Iranian relationship deterioration and CIA involvement.
– Iraq: U.S. wars in Iraq and post-invasion impacts.
– Saudi Arabia: U.S.-Saudi oil interests, political relations, and the impact of different U.S. administrations.
– Taiwan: U.S. military interests, economic ties, and changing perceptions.
– Serbia: U.S. military influence, economic ties, and shifting political relations post-Yugoslav wars.
– Poland: U.S. military bases, political support, and economic partnership.
– Pakistan: U.S. military aid, counter-terrorism, and complex relations.
– Nigeria: U.S. economic cooperation, military aid, and humanitarian assistance.
– Ukraine: U.S. support for sovereignty, defense aid, and economic investment.
**Actionable Items:**
– **Engagement with Online Students:** Encourage more active participation from students with cameras off.
– **Student Absences:** Follow up with Zarifa on absence during presentation.
– **Future Class Preparation:** Students should identify connections between their chosen country and another country presented, for a collaborative assignment.
**Homework:**
– Students should prepare for the next class by finding another country that has a connection with their chosen country, whether geographic, thematic, or related to patterns of U.S. involvement.
– Bullet points on U.S. interests in their country across military, political, economic, and humanitarian spheres are to be developed.
– Reflection on local perceptions of U.S. involvement is required, considering historical and current perspectives.