CommitteesGA Committees
ECONOMIC & SOCIAL COUNCILS
|
Special Political and Decolonization Committee (SPECPOL)Chairs: Salma Farag & Ishani Sharma Email: salfar25@bergen.org & ishsha25@bergen.org Topic A: War on the Korean Peninsula North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, exists as an isolated and impoverished nation, marked by its enduring enmity with its southern neighbor, the Republic of Korea, commonly referred to as South Korea. Under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, who inherited his title from his father and grandfather, the country has consistently issued threats of missile strikes against Japan, South Korea, and the United States. Kim's rule has been characterized by a ruthless suppression of dissent, with estimates suggesting the detention of between 80,000 and 120,000 political prisoners, the purging of high-ranking officials, and the likely orchestration of his half-brother's assassination. The legacy of the Korean War, fought between 1950 and 1953, continues to cast a shadow, as North Korea sought to militarily conquer its southern counterpart in a bid to unify Korea under a communist regime. Topic B: The Syria and Iraq Conflict The Syria-Iraq conflict primarily occurred between 2011 and 2017, involving various issues. It began with the Syrian Civil War which was started by anti-government protests against President Bashar al-Assad's authority. Eventually, this war attracted many regional and international powers. Rebel groups and Islamist extremists like ISIS tried to get control and take advantage of these conflicts in Syria. While Syria was going through these conflicts, Iraq was also facing many struggles. Iraq was further ignited by sectarian tensions and instability following the 2003 U.S. invasion. ISIS exploited this vulnerability and quickly took control of Iraq’s major regions in 2014. Soon, ISIS declared themselves a self-proclaimed "caliphate." This development further intertwined the Syrian and Iraqi conflicts.The conflict led to millions of people being ousted from their homes and even led to ISIS becoming a global threat. U.S.-led coalitions and the involvement of regional powers worked continuously to battle ISIS and push the group out of major sectors. In 2017, ISIS lost its territorial stronghold, marking a significant turning point. However, both Syria and Iraq continue to grapple with ongoing security challenges, political instability, and the long process of post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation. |
