Here is an overview of this simulation. In short, you will look at the interests from these FOUR perspectives on the current Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Each of these perspectives are valid but varied and all of them are embedded in significant international institutions.
Do some research on each. Look at what these actors HAVE ALREADY DONE/SAID/ADVOCATED.
Write the findings into a paper of about 5-6 pages. It will be report, more than a research paper. You don’t need tons of sources, but you need official sources. THIS IS NOT AN OP-ED assignment, even though some of the sources are biased. NOTE that in your papers.
Otherwise, it is a very current simulation so DON’T predict the future; use current sources to follow the prompt.
HERE IT IS:
SIMULATION POLI/INTL 362
United Nations in crisis. Ukraine. You may access readings on Rwanda, Myanmar/Rohingya, Syria as comparative examples on what SHOULD/COULD/MIGHT be done?
Each student will evaluate the UN from the perspective of:
1) The UN Security Council, including all current members (10) and the Permanent Five Members (state actors)
2) The UN General Assembly (the general collective, not single states, but realizing that Ukraine is in the UN)
3) The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (the entire UN Human Rights regime)
4) Human Rights Watch (major NGO that is independent of the UN)
Each student MAY use ANY OTHER international organization in their actions. BUT, you will be writing the following (the prompt)
What IS the opinion/policy/decision of each organization re: Russian invasion of Ukraine?
What are the major differences between these opinions/policies/decisions?
What SHOULD each actor choose to do based on: a) their own interests (states, orgs, etc.) b) the interests of the major belligerents Ukraine and Russia, c) the interests of a sense of what is JUST or RIGHT or LEGAL, and d) What is MOST likely/probable?
You do not have to write about ALL the actors in the Security Council (obviously Russia is in the perm 5 and their response ALONE is insufficient. A good reply would be to locate the US, Russia and a third non-permanent members response?
You obviously dont have to use ALL of the GA. But what is the tone of the GA response and policy suggestions vs. the Security Council? What accounts for the difference between the organizations?
The two Human Rights groups (UN and NON-UN) may have similar and also different responses/perspectives. WHY?
USE THE WEB and USE THE WEBSITES and actual statements OF THESE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. DO THIS!! For each nation-state, you may use additional web based research.
The paper will lay out these responses and reply to a situation that will be revealed on Thursday, April 28 at 4:00 PM. The final reveal should be addressed AS WELL as the general set of questions from above. The PRIMARY ISSUE: The Russian Invasion of Ukraine: how each org/interest would/should try to resolve the crisis.
General set up:
Current Russian invasion of Ukraineas of April 24, 2022
Intro of (created, not factual) variables on April 28.
Interaction is limited due to onlineso, take in the information by noon, April 29, 2022.
Craft a paper that is basically a report:
Each actor: what should they do? What DID they do? What explains difference?
How does the simulation show the difference between the concepts and goals of international organizations (peace, security, human rights, sovereignty, etc.) and what states ACTUALLY CAN AND WILL DO? Who is actually constrained by IOs and who is less constrained?
THAT IS IT!!
ASK ME QUESTIONS, I will take questions LIVE during the Thursday 400-600 ZOOM.
START RESEARCHING THESE ROLES. Dont get too deepbut go to the direct, primary sources (NO WIKIPEDIA. Use the CIA Factbook for country background, US Dept of State background on the crisis, UN Homepage for all this info, and each IO, and Human Rights Watch)
