January 2020

"Reinvigoration of Human Rights Policy," a Memo To: Secretary of State, Alexander Haig, 10/26/81

Memo reviewed by Andreas L. Hahn, 2020 Fletcher MALD Candidate

Globe and many faces

(Memorandum From the Deputy Secretary of State (Clark) and the Under Secretary of State for Management (Kennedy) to Secretary of State Haig[1], 26 October 1981)

The memo on the “Reinvigoration of Human Rights Policy” left an impact on me because it distilled abstract concepts in a persuasive way. But what made this particular memo stick, compared to an abundance of other memos on the topic?... Read more about "Reinvigoration of Human Rights Policy," a Memo To: Secretary of State, Alexander Haig, 10/26/81

"Iraq: The Perfect Storm" - Memo to Secretary of State, Collin Powell from Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs on the dangers of invading Iraq

Memo reviewed by Dimas Muhamad, HKS Master's candidate

Soldiers deploying to Iraq

In 2002, William Burns, the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, wrote to Secretary of State Collin Powell on the dangers of invading Iraq in this memo. Overall, the substance of the memo is quite strong. However, in terms of writing, policy writers can learn from certain improvements that could have been made.... Read more about "Iraq: The Perfect Storm" - Memo to Secretary of State, Collin Powell from Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs on the dangers of invading Iraq