AUCA Crisis Game 2018

AUCA Crisis Game 2018

November 26, 2018

#ICP

On November 16-17, the International and Comparative Politics Department held its annual Crisis Games at the American University of Central Asia. Open to all undergraduate students interested in politics, the games simulated a crisis scenario in East Asia and invited the students to represent and act on behalf of the key actors in the region. This year, Crisis Games ended in a bargaining failure between China and the US and the subsequent announcement of a war between the two nations and their allies. Reflecting on this outcome at the end of the event, students better understood the importance of information, cooperation, and conflict management. They also reflected on the complexity of the international system, structure, and the paradoxical nature of international laws and regulations.

Hezbullah Shafaq, an ICP sophomore student, who represented the US, recounts the event and reflects on the games.

I was lucky enough to be able to participate in the AUCA Crisis Game – 2018 organized by the Department of International and Comparative Politics (ICP) of the American University of Central Asia (AUCA). Although I have participated in several youth events in many countries, AUCA Crisis Game was a long-awaited event for me. The scenario of the game was stated as such:

“US President Donald Trump announces that the USA will not come to South Korea's and Japan's defense in case of an attack on them by North Korea. Whether the US will cease its military drills with South Korea or withdraw its troops from the peninsula is not clear yet. The international community is dismayed with this announcement since the US presence in the peninsula and alliance with South Korea and Japan are largely accepted as the reasons there is no nuclear stand-off between the countries in the region or escalation of tensions. Nevertheless, the announcement has been made, and countries and international organizations must take action, or not.”

This news was addressed by some of the main actors of East Asian politics such as United State, United Kingdom, France, China, Russia, North and South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Philippines along with the representative of United Nation, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, International Atomic Energy Agency, and three news organizations that were representing the dominant powers: CNN, CCTV, and RT.

Playing the role of President Donald Trump on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula was a tough, confusing but a wonderful part of the event. Looking for allies, making secret and public deals, organizing UN Security Council meetings, establishing new regional and international associations, announcing specific actions and plans, and reflecting on the breaking news of media, was the story of the two-day event.

As students of political science, Crisis Games motivated us to learn more about world issues. It was a way to become an active and more concerned global citizen, knowing that in this era of globalization being globally aware is more important than ever. Furthermore, the event helped us build confidence, leadership, and diplomatic skills. Crisis Game was an exercise in research, public speaking, and teamwork. These are skills that we will need throughout our career, and Crisis Game is a golden chance to practice them while we are students.

Moreover, AUCA, Crisis Games give us a chance to practice what we have learned from the books and to get engaged in thought-provoking debates regarding them. We got a sense of the critical function of intergovernmental relations and organizations in the real world. Crisis game was a rollercoaster ride, and my journey from a student to a very important delegate was incredible!

To sum up, AUCA Crisis Game on the Crisis in East Asia was a top-notch opportunity for the student to speak! Our voice was being heard, and our ideas were going global. It was our chance to speak, practice our ideas, come up with solutions on world problems and ongoing conflicts, meet new great people, gain life experiences and get out of our comfort zone.

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