Welcome to the National Security Council! The above description is only a small taste of the many complex situations that you will encounter as a member of the most exciting, engaging (and by far, the coolest) program in Harvard Model Congress San Francisco. Since 1947, the National Security Council has played an instrumental role in assisting the president navigate through foreign policy matters ranging from handling the Cuban Missile Crisis to combating terrorism in the Middle East. While serving as top ranking Cabinet officials or members of the military elite, it is your job to tackle international issues while at the same time protecting the objectives of the United States’ foreign policy agenda and providing for the security of the country.
Enclosed, you will find briefings that will cover three of the main topics that we will address while in committee. The first briefing details the nuclear tensions in Iran. Iran, as we’re sure many of you are aware, has been developing nuclear technology in recent years. It is essential that the National Security Council advise President Obama on how to develop relations with Iran to ensure lasting security in the Middle East. The second briefing discusses the ongoing Mexican Drug Wars. For years now, Mexican drug cartels have caused political instability in Mexico, pumped millions of drug dollars in to illegal activities, sponsored gross human rights violations, endangered the lives of millions of innocent civilians, and caused economic unrest. As a member of the NSC, it is important to develop a strategy to ensure the safety of the people from the drug wars. Finally, the last briefing introduces trends in Russia’s geopolitical strategy and the potential future directions of the Russian state.
It is crucial that you review the briefings in order to be fully prepared for the conference. A strong knowledge of the information presented in the readings will improve your critical thinking skills and provide you with the tools you will need to manage foreign policy issues. Always remember that with foreign policy, the big picture is most important. Things are never stable for too long; volatility is the name of the game, and if you can’t think on your feet or adapt quickly then the consequences can be disastrous. Indeed, “Failure is not an option.”
Now that we have given a brief overview of this Chuck Norris-ian committee, allow us to introduce ourselves.
Hello delegates! My name is Andrew, and I am a junior at the College. I am a Government concentrator with a secondary in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology. This will be my third year with Harvard Model Congress and fifth conference. In addition to Harvard Model Congress, I am also involved with the Citizenship Tutoring Program. One of my greatest passions is theatre; I’m currently serving as a board member of the Hyperion Shakespeare Company, and I am also President of On Thin Ice, Harvard’s oldest (and objectively funniest) improv-comedy troupe. I am excited to have the opportunity to work with you all! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the committee, the briefings, HMC, The Office, being left-handed, wearing ties, wearing ties with dogs on them, and where to get the best barbeque in Birmingham, Alabama.
Ohai! My name is Chandan and I am also a junior at the College. I am currently pursuing a concentration in Chemistry & Physics with a secondary field in Computer Science. This will be my third year in HMC, and my second conference in the Golden State. Outside of HMC, I am on the Mock Trial Team, a hip-hop dancer in Expressions Dance Company, a co-founder of a student business, and a general connoisseur of life. I can’t wait to meet you all, and begin strategically managing the U.S. Arsenal of nuclear weaponry. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about anything. Seriously… I get bored, and would love to discuss the briefings, the committee, topics of national security, Rubik’s Cubes, how to juggle flaming scimitars, time-travel, and proper watermelon-eating etiquette.
Again we look forward to working with all of you! We will see you in January!!
Best Regards,