Developing an editorial position on the justness of a conflict

The Scenario It is 1999 and the newspaper plans to write an editorial for tomorrow’s edition that will either endorse or oppose the American-led NATO bombing campaign in Kosovo and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Each student will take on a different role in deciding what the newspaper’s editorial decision should be. Managing editor of the newspaper: support the bombing campaign. Senior foreign affairs correspondent: you oppose the bombing campaign. Publisher of paper: ultimately has to make decision as to which editorial position to take. You want to make the decision based on whether the use of strategic air power can be justified or not. **remember to use your reading on the principles of just war!!**

The Process Meet with your group- students who all share the same viewpoint (all managing editors together; all publishers; all correspondents). Discuss the arguments for your position. Talk about how you might refute potential arguments the other side might make Publishers: discuss what criteria you consider most important in making the decision and justify Meet with new group Each editor & correspondent, make your case to the publisher Publisher: make a decision Debrief How many publishers supported? How many opposed? Was final decision difficult? Why? Which arguments were most persuasive? How were you able to apply the principles of a just war to this discussion?

What are the causes of conflicts What are the causes of conflicts? Is there relationship between cause & justness?

Each student will receive 1 conflict from the 20th century, along with a list of causes for / categories of war. You will be responsible for doing some basic background research on your