Critical thinking is a skill that requires dedication and persistence. The individual must dedicate time to acquiring knowledge about an issue, and then persistently apply that knowledge along with new information to accurately assess the situation, evaluate possible solutions, and create recommendations. Critical thinking is everywhere in the work environment and graduate school. Most apply critical thinking processes in everyday life and never realize it. A specific instance where I applied critical thinking for school was in final projects and papers.

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An example of critical thinking and analysis was the final project for a class that required me to assess a current problem that has been facing U.S. interests. I was then tasked to come up with the best ways that the U.S. can address this issue moving forward. The issue I chose to write about was Boko Haram, and African based terrorist group that has declared allegiance to ISIS, the group that has ravished Syria. In assessing the problem, how best to combat terrorism in Nigeria and the surrounding countries, I read the literature describing the rise of Boko Haram, the target demographic, their support base, and the government capabilities in the region, both U.S. assets and the domestic forces in the region. 

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I assessed that there were certain gaps in domestic support delivered from the government to the people; one religious group was ostracized from the benefits of government support while the other was overly compensated. The problem could therefore, best be addressed through political re-alignment. At this time, the government of Nigeria had just switch parties, and religions, in power. This brought the neglected group into power and brought to question the level of support the U.S. would be asked to provide and how much the U.S. would be willing to supply. 

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My assessment was that the U.S. government should work with the new President of Nigeria as an asset in the battle against Boko Haram. The support should be targeted at the areas that the region cannot supply for themselves, such as counter-terrorism training and intelligence support. The less involved the U.S. was with boots on the ground, the less chance there was that Boko Haram would attract additional support from the local population. 

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Following the shift in power, the President of Nigeria did ask for additional support from western nations, and the U.S. did supply assistance in areas that the regional groups were struggling to address.

 

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