Many of the presidents and prime ministers who have had the

Question

Many of the presidents and prime ministers who have had the most successful foreign policies had no prior experience in foreign affairs when they assumed office. Although scholars and diplomats in the sacrosanct inner circle of international affairs would have us think otherwise, anyone with an acute political sense, a disciplined temperament, and a highly developed ability to absorb and retain information can quickly learn to conduct a successful foreign policy. In fact, prior experience alone will be of little value to a foreign policymaker who lacks all three of these traits.

If all of the statements above are true, which one of the following must be true?

A. Scholars and diplomats have more experience in foreign affairs than most presidents and prime ministers bring to office.

B. Prior experience in foreign affairs is neither a sufficient nor a necessary condition for a president or prime minister to have a successful foreign policy.

C. Prior experience in foreign affair is a necessary but not sufficient condition for a president or prime minister to have a successful foreign policy.

D. An acute political sense, a disciplined temperament, and highly developed ability to absorb and retain information are each necessary conditions for a president or prime minister to have a successful foreign policy.

E. A president or prime minister with years of experience in foreign affairs will have a more successful foreign policy than one who does not have experience in foreign affairs.

baski6 · Answer

D for me

vineetgupta · Answer

I think its B.
A person with prior experience and one of the three skills can still have a successful policy...so D cant be the answer.

The last sentence says that all three skills together are sufficient conditions for a successful policy but nothing is stated about each skill(of the three stated) individually with prior experience...any thoughts??

Himalayan · Answer

between B and D, i would go for D.

indy123 · Answer

My Bucks on B!

Many of the presidents and prime ministers who have had the most successful foreign policies  had no prior experience in foreign affairs  when they assumed office. Although scholars and diplomats in the sacrosanct inner circle of international affairs would have us think otherwise, anyone with an acute political sense, a disciplined temperament, and a highly developed ability to absorb and retain information can quickly learn to conduct a successful foreign policy.  In fact, prior experience alone will be of little value  to a foreign policymaker who lacks all three of these traits

The speaker supports that prior experience is not a necessary or sufficient condition.

iamba · Answer

I go with B.

Per PR, if an answer repeats whats stated in the passage, then most likely that answer is incorrect.

However, that is not the reason I chose B!

GMATBLACKBELT · Answer

What is OA? and is there an explanation?

laxieqv · Answer

Some of you got it correct

Any more thought? I'll post the OA in a few hours.

vij101 · Answer

My choice is B.
Talking about the three traits is out of scope for this argument. D is a nice trap though.

andrehaui · Answer

B is the one, butnit cast doubts on D

laxieqv · Answer

OA is B, but i'm looking forward to a more comprehensive explanation

Caas · Answer

Many of the presidents and prime ministers who have had the

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