Start a discussion about the federal government, the war in Iraq, and the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan with these questions and topics adapted from the lesson plan "Be Informed, Speak Up, Act".

1. U.S. military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan may cost between 1.2 and 1.7 trillion dollars by 2017, according to the Congressional Budget Office. These conflicts are major defense policy issues for the United States. When and how to end United States involvement in Iraq and how to address the conflict in Afghanistan are being hotly debated.

How should the federal government address the war in Iraq and the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan?

• Describe several different policy perspectives toward these issues.
   
• Should policymakers take the cost of the conflicts in consideration when deliberating over increasing or decreasing U.S. military involvement in these regions? If so, why? If not, why not?
   
• If the United States did not have to spend additional money for the war in Iraq, how would you recommend that the U.S. spend the now-unspent money?
   
• Has U.S. engagement in Iraq or Afghanistan affected your local community? If so, how?

2. The issue of the war in Iraq is not only a concern to the United States, but also to the rest of the world. Other nations have differing views on the war.

How does the war affect U.S. relations with other nations?

• How does the war in Iraq affect U.S. relations with the rest of the world? Is this issue important? Why or why not?
   
• Describe several different perspectives from other countries on U.S. involvement in the war in Iraq.
   
• Is U.S. foreign policy an important concern in your community?
   
• How does U.S. foreign policy affect your local community?