Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC)- 2015
Chair: Mary Tiffin
Topic A- Russian Annexation of Crimea
In 2014 the Russian military took over key military outposts within Crimea, which was internationally recognized as a part of Ukraine. By March 2014, the entire peninsula fell under Russian control. A heavily criticized referendum was held soon after without any international observers which resulted in Crimea acceding to Russia. This sparked a war on Ukraine’s eastern front known as the Donbas region. A year later, the Disarmament and International Security Committee has convened to discuss the international ramifications of this incident. Delegates will debate how to proceed with dealing with Russia’s act of aggression and the impending threat to the international order. Delegates will also debate topics relating to war crimes, the role of the Security Council, and issues around state sovereignty.
Topic B- Russian Intervention in the Syrian Civil War
In September 2015, Russia formally intervened in the Syrian Civil War on behalf of the government of Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian Civil War was an extremely complex landscape with factions from the Western-backed opposition, the Assad government, ISIS, and the Kurds all fighting one another. Russia intervened to aid Assad and slow down the rapid growth of ISIS, which had taken over swathes of Syria and Iraq. Delegates of DISEC have gathered again to discuss the newest developments in Syria and debate potential solutions that can bring an end to the war. Delegates will discuss issues related to civil wars, ethnopolitical landscapes, arms deals, and more.