If you've already cleared the topic with your Prof, I'd suggest that you "Continue to March." If the requirement is a "research paper," these are usually something that digs into some detail on a specific topic not covered, or not covered in depth, within the readings or lectures. The title of the course topic (American Foreign Policy, in this case) is usually given a broad interpretation.

If you are concerned about a "policy level" viewpoint, you can frame the "evolution" of COIN in Iraq in terms of its subsequent influence on the Obama Af-Pak strategy and/or the follow-on review that led to the POTUS's (eventual) decision to send more troops in response to the request of GEN McChrystal.