Secondary activity
Afghanistan discussion
The growing amount of troops who have died since the start of the mission in Afghanistan has led to many people asking why are British troops still there and isn't it about time we left?
In groups discuss the following:
- When would it be acceptable for foreign troops to enter another country?
- When would it not be acceptable?
- What, according to the story, are British troops doing in Afghanistan?
- Do you think they have been successful?
- If you were the prime minister of the Great Britain what would you do?
- If you were the president of Afghanistan what would you do?
- What do you think life is like for the troops in Helmand province?
- What makes someone want to join the army and fight for their country?
- Finally, in your groups, answer the question - can war and killing in the name of war ever be justified?
You can use the internet to help you with your discussion.
Send us your thoughts about what to do in Afghanistan by clicking on Have your say and we will put the best on the site.
Is it time for all British troops to come home?
Picture: Sean Smith, Guardian
Teachers' notes
Secondary lesson objectives
- in outline, about the main issues of a current conflict
- about aspects of the world as a global community
- to identify and analyse the key features of the situation
- to identify appropriate questions and possible sources of information
- to select relevant information from sources
Secondary curriculum links
Citizenship at key stage 3 (Year 7-9)
Unit 11: Why is it so difficult to keep the peace in the world today?
Section 1: What is the fighting about this time?
Glossary
Betrayed to hurt somebody who trusts you, especially by not being loyal or faithful to them
Checkpoint a place where cars and people are routinely searched and checked
Coalition when a group of people work together with a common aim and mission
Comrades colleagues, people you work with
Grenade launcher a very powerful weapon used mainly for destroying buildings
Helmand province a notoriously dangerous area of Afghanistan
ISAF The International Security Assistance Force - a mission led by NATO to secure Afghanistan and make it safe
Prosecute take them before a court of law
Rogue a viscious and solitary person who has separated himself from the rest of his group
Security the activities involved in protecting a country, building or person against attack, danger, etc
September 11 2001 America was attacked by al Qaida terrorists who hijacked planes and flew them into the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington. Nearly 3,000 people, including the attackers, died in the incident.
The Taliban former rulers of Afghanistan who follow a very strict Islamic code. They are believed to have sheltered terrorists belonging to al Qaida
Ultimate most important