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United Nations Security Council
Chairs: Radhika Malik, Eyas B Alsharaiha, Bahar ShahEmail the chairs:
Announcements
Position Papers are due Sunday, January 31 at noon by email to the chairs. Position Papers are required for delegate awards. More information about position papers can be found on the preparation page.
Background Guides have been posted. Download full pdf
Topic 1: Iran-Israel Conflict
Background GuideRecent times have seen a tremendous escalation of tension between these two nations. As Iran continues with its nuclear program, refusing cooperation with the UN or the IAEA, tensions rise between Iran and Israel, with the latter feeling threatened by Iran's nuclear program. Previous statements by Iranian President Ahmadinejad issuing several statement regarding the state of Israel, Zionism, and the holocaust, most recently in United Nations General Assembly in 2009. Israel believes their security is threatened by Iran, and stresses that Iran's nuclear program is designated to create nuclear artillery that will target the country, offering a literal interpretation of President Ahmadinejad's statement that Israel should have been "wiped off the map". Iran, on the other side, maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful, and that all enriched Uranium is being used in the sake of energy. Iran maintains that its views on Israel, though legitimate in their perspective, will not be translated to a direct military conflict. The world is still divided on the issue, and it is imperative that the UNSC finds a feasible solution.
Topic 2: The Situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan
Background GuideThe eight-year long war in Afghanistan, aiming to eradicate Taliban influence is again facing major setbacks. While the post-war Afghanistan never realized its full stability, indeed seeing numerous IED explosions, increased opium and drug trade, itself economically linked to Taliban, today's challenges in Afghanistan are even more serious; the direct influence of Taliban has resumed its growth, and Taliban-backed insurgency is, again, on the rise. The issue, which was previously a problem exclusively in southern Afghanistan, has been spreading in all directions. North and West Afghanistan are witnessing increased Taliban influence, and the Taliban is also rapidly expanding its base into Pakistan. There is internal instability in the Pakistani state, which is making it even more difficult for Pakistan to resist the militant infiltration. Can the UNSC agree on how to foster security and stability in this critical region, and thus control the increasing threat of fundamentalist terrorism?
