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The Scenario
BOKO HARAM (an Islamist militant organization based in northeastern Nigeria)
Boko Haram has undertaken a series of bold kidnappings in the Nigerian state of Kano. The latest kidnapping operation resulted in the abduction of ten Chinese businessmen on a trip to set up retail operations in Nigeria, as well as five U.S. aid workers working in the medical sector. Boko Haram is asking for $500M in ransom in return for the 15 hostages. The Chinese have floated the idea of a joint military effort with the United States to rescue the hostages. What course of action do you recommend, and why?
Discussion A – Define the current environment (Initial Response: 300-500 words)
In the context of the provided scenario (above), define (frame) the current environment. This framing is comprehensive, combining information derived from your research into your specific PMESII or PMESII-PT factor with research accomplished by your group mates into one holistic description of the current environment.
Frame the current environment in a cohesive manner.
Framing the current environment is not a regurgitation of prior research or simply a cobbling together of several authors’ research. Your task is to craft a comprehensive understanding of the current environment by highlighting the actors, interactions, trends, tendencies, potentials, etc. that exist within the current environment, as described in your Lesson Narrative-assigned readings.
In classic Op Design, environmental depictions include a graphic. The graphics are used for two purposes: they provide the opportunity for groups to share a visual construct of the situation as the various relationships, trends, tendencies and actors are mapped out; and they provide a visual depiction for briefing purposes when planners describe their publishs to commanders, higher headquarters planners, etc. Since this exercise is accomplished individually (at first) and we do not have the opportunity to brief one another, graphic depictions are neither required nor desired in this exercise. However, the crafting of a graphic for purposes of enhancing your understanding of the environment may be helpful, even though it is not submitted with your assignment.
Discussion B – Frame the desired environment or end-state(Initial Response: 300-500 words)
In the context of the provided scenario, frame the desired environment (desired end state). Justify your position(s) in terms of National Strategic Guidance. This framing must be comprehensive, including all pertinent factors and elements, but avoid including digressive or unimportant factors. The desired environment must be framed as a state of being—a “snapshot”—not as a series of actions. As described in the readings, what does the desired environment look like?
Words such as “can, will, should and must” are inappropriate for an End State description but are instead applicable to Lines of Operation and Effort, which will be accomplished next week. Inclusion of “Ways” (e.g., methods describing how one “can, will, should or must” accomplish a task) limits brainstorming and unnecessarily constrains planning efforts at this stage of the Design process.
After comparing and contrasting the current and desired environments, identify obstacles impeding progress toward achieving the desired end state (define the problem). Respond to at least one other group member. Submit your problem statement (often beginning with, “How does the US…?”) in the last paragraph of your initial post.
Leave descriptions of Ways and Means (efforts and Instruments of Power that will execute those efforts) to discussions after the initial description of the desired environment (desired end state) and problem statement.
Attachments:
opdesign_hbk – highlights the operational environment and end state
Joint Planning 2020 – Describes the Holistic View of the Operational Environment
Biden, National Security Strategy (2022).pdf_safe – Work with African nations to fight corruption
Joint Doctrine 2_19 – Defense Strategy
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