Peer 1

Your response on social media and how it has changed American politics is very thought provoking. I agree with your position that social media has altered how Americans interact with the political world as well as how election candidates are able to reach out to voters. I concur that with the ability to publish content that could reach millions of platform users at basically no cost, social media provide political candidates huge coverage and an advantage for those who know how to utilize it to manipulate public opinion. I would add that social media has put the voters at a disadvantage. While this is an absurd claim to make seeing that every one controls their own social media accounts, my argument is that people have no control of what is presented in the form of ads, propaganda campaigns, and other political tools used. As a result, voters no longer engage with politicians on a policy-based discussion but rather on how well one is able to manipulate social media algorithms to their favor. “Do you agree that the voter is at a disadvantage because of the way politicians are able to manipulate content on social media?”

Peer 2

You offer a very insightful standpoint on the war on terrorism and specifically America’s presence in Afghanistan. I am in agreement of your observation that just after America removed its troops, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan very quickly which sparked media attention. This is an important development because it highlights two matters in my opinion. First, that American troops’ presence in Afghanistan was necessary as far as keeping the Taliban at bay is concerned. Secondly, it may point to a fact that the presence of America in Afghanistan greatly weakened the nation and stripped it off of its capability to make policies and defend itself independent of external control. I feel that the last point should be emphasized and better discussed because the developments after September 11 have meant a focus on America as opposed to its actions on a global front. I pose the question: “would America’s position in Afghanistan be viewed differently if another superpower, such as China, was involved instead?”