Focus Group Near Asia

    Dear Specialists:

    Thank you for accepting the contract to advise myself, my chief aides, and the leaders of the various branches of the government in this matter.  We wish your team to provide detailed information and analysis about certain social and religious issues of Islam preeminent in the world today.  In particular, we wish you to focus on the following areas:  Egypt, Syria, the Palestinian Territories, and Jordan.  These countries surround Israel and have fought numerous wars which have come close to involving the United States and today the region is still far from peaceful. The histories and relations between these Arab nations are long and complex; and we need your help in understanding the reality on the ground locally if we wish to navigate the terrain there successfully..

    In deciding what policies our government should pursue, it is absolutely vital that we have the best information and advisement possible.  I will rely heavily on you and your group's presentation to provide me with the information and advice necessary to do my job and to serve our national interests.  I  need not remind you of the vital importance of what we are studying to both our own national security, as well as that of the world generally.

    Good luck!  We await eagerly the presentation of your focus group. 

    Very Truly Yours, 

    President of the United States

P.S.  Be sure to read this last reminder as you sit down in your groups to start this project!