DIME Response Plan

Prompt:

You are the Senior Director for Indo-Pacific Affairs on the National Security Council (NSC). An emerging regional crisis has escalated, and the President has requested a concise, actionable policy memorandum outlining U.S. response options using an integrated DIME strategy (Diplomatic, Informational, Military, Economic).

Your assignment is to write a 34 page strategic options memo (1,2001,600 words) addressed to the President. The memo should:

1. Frame a realistic Indo-Pacific crisis scenario,
2. Identify barriers to implementation across the DIME instruments,
3. Recommend a 3-phase response plan (Immediate Response, Stabilization, Strategic Positioning), and
4. Present 23 strategic options, with a clear recommendation and justification.

Scenarios

Choose one of the following scenarios (or propose your own with instructor approval):

• PLA Blockade Signaling Around Taiwan with Escalating Naval Incidents
• Cyberattack on ASEAN Maritime Coordination Center Linked to PRC Actors
• Breakdown of U.S.Pacific Islands Dialogue Due to Delayed Aid and PRC Influence Surge

Format Requirements

Your memo must follow this NSC format:

To: The President of the United States

From: Senior Director for Indo-Pacific Affairs, NSC

Date: [Insert Date]

Subject: [Insert Scenario Title Here]

Required Sections:

1. Executive Summary (12 page)

• What is the scenario?
• What U.S. interests are at stake?
• What are your top 23 recommended actions?

2. Crisis Overview & Strategic Dynamics

• Outline the key facts: actors, timeline, triggers
• Assess Chinas posture and intentions
• Evaluate regional responses (ASEAN, Quad, etc.)

3. DIME Barrier Assessment

• For each DIME tool, identify constraints, risks, and weak points in interagency or alliance coordination
• Draw lessons from course case studies (Modules 16)

4. DIME Response Plan (3-Phase)

• Immediate Response (03 months)
• Stabilization (312 months)
• Strategic Positioning (12+ months)
• Include 12 actions for each DIME dimension; ensure cross-domain coherence

5. Strategic Recommendation

• Present 23 policy options
• Recommend one course of action
• Justify benefits, risks, and likely PRC/regional responses

Points to Consider in Memo

• What are the core U.S. interests at stake in your chosen scenario?
• Where do barriers to action exist across DIME instruments?
• How do lessons from earlier modules (Pivot to Asia, Indo-Pacific strategy, Taiwan deterrence, EDCA, Pacific Islands, information strategy) inform your analysis?
• How should the U.S. message its actions to allies, partners, and adversaries?
• Does your plan anticipate short-term crisis management and long-term positioning?