Model UN: Crisis Simulation

In the Model UN exercise a few weeks ago, my group represented Iran. My favorite thing about the situation was actually the role-playing aspect of it. We had freedom to do as we wanted, but within the constraints of what Iran would be likely to do. We had clear goals and it was interesting to develop strategies and plans to reach those goals, because it’s not something that I usually do.

Looking back, I think that we were adequately prepared, but we could have done better. I feel that in our discussions, we knew all the basics that we needed to know, and only had to look up a few more obscure facts. However, there is always room for improvement and it might have been even better if we had read even more in preparation. I’m not sure what more we could have done after our paper on the basics of Iran and the paper on our concentration areas, but maybe more familiarity with other parts of Iranian policy than just our own would have been helpful.

Over the two-day simulation, my group took many actions, but the one I’m most proud of is our deal with China. In return for an intelligence base in Iran, China made up our daily oil deficit of some 300,000 barrels, essentially bringing our economy up to its full potential. This allowed us to send funding and weapons to groups whose objectives we agreed with, like the PLO. Indirectly, our interests in the area were greatly furthered by our deal with China.

The action that I wish had been undertaken was our contingency plan, which we released at the very end of the simulation. Although we gave it a go-ahead, in the confusion of the closing of the simulation it never materialized. Our plan was to have small fishing boats surrounding the US fleet in the Persian Gulf, and at a signal in the call to prayer, all the boats would release underwater missiles, destroying the US forces. The plan had been proven to work by a US general, and we were all looking forward to seeing the outcome. We were disappointed to be beaten without even seeing our plan in action.

Personally, I was glad to contribute to the group, even though my area (Education) was not exactly on the top of our priority list. Toward the end of the simulation, we got the opportunity to increase jobs for educated Iranians, which is a big problem, and deal with water treatment at the same time- a good compromise.

All in all, I liked the experience of the Model UN. It was really interesting, and although it took me some time to get into, I’m glad that I did it and might even be willing to do it again.