Joint Crisis, The Opium Wars:
Qing Dynasty vs. Court of Queen Victoria

joint crisis committee

The sun is rising for the British Empire, and twilight is approaching for the Qing Dynasty of China. Great Britain is gaining substantial influence in global affairs under Queen Victoria. Britain's wealthy aristocracy has fueled booming trade across Afro-Eurasia. Economic growth has fueled material envy, especially for the exotic goods of the Far East. As the British reserves of silver dwindle, the currency of choice is opium. The trade flow reverses and the British begin to not only pay for goods with opium but also sell it to China for their precious silver reserves. The increased demand causes the destabilization of the Chinese economy and a faint but noticeable sphere of influence has begun to materialize over the Chinese people. However, the Qing Dynasty continues to resist Western influence and conflict begins to look inevitable

Background Guides and Rules of Procedure

Crisis Directors

Saurabh Sharma
Victor Lam

Dais

TBD

The Troubles: Fight for Irish Independence
Irish Republicans and the Ulster Loyalists

Independence is often a momentous occasion for the people of a nation. But what if a significant minority of people oppose independence? The easiest thing to do in this situation would be to grant autonomy to that area of the country. Take Ireland’s home rule and independence efforts between the 1890s and 1940s (and the history of Northern Ireland), for example.  Divided by religion, nationality, and political ideology, the Irish people had to approach independence in a unique and problematic way. Yet following a successful partitioning of the island, there remained many who yearned for a united and fully independent Irish Republic. These tensions would come to a head between the 1960s and 1990s, when the nationalists of both the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland (AKA Ulster) would fight a low-level, largely guerilla war to try and further sort out those differences. Which side will you choose? And how will you help your side of Ireland get what they want before the conflict escalates even further?

Background Guides and Rules of Procedure

Crisis Directors

Srikar Ranga

Jackson Bicart

Dais

TBD

2016 US Homeland Security

The United States Department of Homeland Security defends the country from a wide range of threats, including terrorism, illegal immigration, and cybercrime. In collaboration with the FBI, CIA, and executive branch of government, DHS has protected American interests since its founding in 2001. In recent years, DHS has come under censure for failing to protect against major terrorist attacks and cyber-attacks on American soil. The current executive government is stripping DHS of power, in a time of most need. America faces dire threats as cyber criminals attack the power grid, terrorists harm and frighten citizens, and smugglers look to make a quick buck, whether transporting immigrants or cash crops illegally. The crisis will begin in the aftermath of the 2016 election, focusing on the DNC email leak.

BACKGROUND GUIDES AND RULES OF PROCEDURE

Crisis Directors

Sneha Jain

Amado Castillo

Dais

TBD

Middle-earth: The Last Alliance

“In the land of Mordor, in the fires of Mount Doom, the Dark Lord Sauron forged in secret a Master Ring to control all others. And into this Ring, he poured his cruelty, his malice, and his will to dominate all life…One Ring to rule them all.

One by one, the free lands of Middle-earth fell to the power of the Ring. But there were some who resisted…”

Delegates of the Last Alliance will have to band together as the various great kings and leaders of the free-folk of Middle-earth in order to stop the darkness spreading from Mordor and defeat Sauron, the greatest evil threat of the Second Age. Can the realms of Men, Elves, Dwarves, and other beings unite and put an end to the Dark Lord or will all perish under the subjugation of Mordor and the immeasurable power of the One Ring? 

BACKGROUND GUIDES AND RULES OF PROCEDURE

Crisis Director

Nicky Kumar

Dais

TBD

Iran Hostage Crisis

In the Iranian Hostage Committee, delegates of the US Cabinet will have to address the political aspects, including foreign relations as well as domestic issues, of the Iranian Hostage crisis that began in 1979. Delegates will work towards the release of the 52 American hostages against opposing forces, while considering all options and their potential consequences. Military measures, while highly effective, could prove disastrous if they go wrong and could alienate the US on the international stage. Pure measures of diplomacy, while safer, could prove to be much slower. Delegates will have to weigh these options as well as others to ensure that the hostages are returned safely.  Moreover, delegates will also address the international significance of this event as it played a major role in US foreign relations. Finally, delegates will have to address the domestic significance of this event for Carter's presidency as his approval levels plummeted in relation to this crisis, limiting his domestic power.

BACKGROUND GUIDES AND RULES OF PROCEDURE

Crisis Director

Katherine Magee

Dais

TBD

Roman Civil War-Council of
Octavian and Council of Mark Anthony

Rome was one of the greatest civilizations to ever step foot on the face of the Earth. Despite this civilization reaching its peak nearly 2000 years ago, Roman history and culture has withstood the test of time and is still studied to this day. However, Rome was by no means immune to instability and political infighting that plagued many civilizations and empires throughout history. Throughout the course of Roman history, there were dozens of civil wars between differing factions vying for control of the empire. This committee will focus on one of the most famous of these conflicts: The Final Battle of the Roman Republic between Octavian and Mark Antony, the outcome of which will decide the destiny of the greatest empire of the classical era. We will begin as the conflict opened in the spring of the year 32 BC, following the Roman Senate’s declaration of war against the traitor Mark Antony. Will Octavian once again emerge victorious and go on to become one of the most powerful men in the ancient world, if not all of history? Will Mark Antony manage to overcome Octavian and seize Rome for himself? Or will there some other fate for Rome? The actions of the committees will decide! Ave Romae!

BACKGROUND GUIDES AND RULES OF PROCEDURE

Crisis Directors

Ali Taqvi

Cameron Holguin

Dais

TBD

Cuban Missile Crisis

October 1962, a time when the world stood still, the two mightiest of superpowers in the world had a standoff of unprecedented measures. The United States, leader of the free world, and the Soviet Union, the champion of equality, went head to head in the Gulf of Mexico near Cuba, an ally and military benefactor to the Soviet Union. The United States and North American Treaty Organization (NATO) built nuclear facilities in Italy and Turkey, upsetting the balance of power between the Warsaw Pact and NATO. In response to this, the Soviet Union used its new ally, Cuba, to covertly construct nuclear facilities. American reconnaissance aircrafts later discovered the facilities and publicly ordered the USSR to cease all construction immediately. However, the Soviet Union retaliated and declared that a nuclear transport was inbound to Cuba. If the nuclear transport or Cuba was attacked, the USSR would declare war on the United States, subsequently initiating World War III. The committee will be composed of American, NATO, Cuban, and Soviet officials that would have to resolve the conflict at hand...by any means necessary.

BACKGROUND GUIDES AND RULES OF PROCEDURE

Crisis Directors

Claire Prichard
Alexander Wagoner

Dais

TBD

Death of Alexander

Alexander of Macedon, the conqueror of the largest land empire yet seen, has died unexpectedly in Babylon at the young age of 32. As his brother was disabled and his child still unborn, Alexander's last act was to give his signet ring and regency of the empire to Perdiccas, Commander of his Companion Cavalry. To secure their newfound lands, Perdiccas and the Macedonian Generals divided the Satrapies, administrative governorates of the subdued Achaemenid Persian empire, amongst themselves. But some leaders saw no need for a regent once they held lands and armies for themselves. Alexander is not yet buried before personal ambition, old rivalries, and outside threats poised to upend the briefly unified Empire. There are Generals and Nobles of Macedon not pleased with the outcome of what will be known as the Partition of Babylon, and others desire to rise higher than they already have. The fate of the western world is at a tipping point and Hellenism at its peak. Diplomacy, intrigue, guile, and deceit will determine who amongst the Macedonians can claim to be Alexander's true successor. The Empire of Macedon must decide for itself how to wield its immense power before it is devoured by forces both external and from within.

BACKGROUND GUIDES AND RULES OF PROCEDURE

Crisis Directors

Joseph Boyd
Steve Keenan

Dais

TBD