Arab League: The Gulf War, 1990

Format: Dual Delegate

It is August 2nd, 1990, and Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has invaded Kuwait. Tensions have been rising all summer, with Hussein making public accusations in mid-July, stating that Kuwait had been stealing Iraq’s oil. Both countries have also been involved in negotiations in Saudi Arabia, yet they broke down on August 1st. As of this evening, the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union have all condemned Hussein’s actions. Thus, it is now the duty of Arab League members to address the emerging Gulf War. 

The Arab League, being a regional organization, will act as LAMUN’s UNSC-adjacent committee. Therefore, it will be an advanced dual-delegate crisis and have a similar structure to that of UNSC, excluding veto powers. The committee will be composed of twenty members of the Arab League—all member states will be allocated with the exception of Kuwait and Iraq. Delegates should expect issues such as economic sanctions and oil embargoes, international debt, and religious tensions, all of which contribute to the alliances that may be formed in committee. It is vital to grasp an understanding of the historical context to better understand the complexities of the Arab League members’ relations, as these will surely influence the direction of committee.

Chair Letter

Dear Delegates,

My name is Daniel Qu, and it is my absolute pleasure to serve as your Chair for the Arab League crisis committee. I am a junior this year at UCLA, double majoring in political science with a focus on international relations and economics and potentially looking for a career in diplomacy. I also am a bit of a military history nerd, so you could say that this committee is right up my alley.

I started my MUN career with the YMCA’s program in 6th grade largely because my parents forced me to. Truth be told, I wasn’t particularly enthusiastic until our first real conference. I was representing an NGO, delivering technology to isolated African communities to better their education and connection to the outside world. The lasting impression of making a difference with ideas that you came up with yourself really stuck with me, and I’ve been hooked on MUN ever since. I’ve been with the club here at UCLA since my sophomore year, and hope to continue with MUN until I graduate, a sentiment that I’m sure many of you echo, and for those not committed to the club yet, I hope you experience that life-changing moment here.

This crisis committee focuses on the Arab League in the Gulf War, an intergovernmental entity similar to the UN that seeks to promote the common interest of its members, largely nations of the Arab world in the Middle East and Northern Africa. The Gulf War, initially fought between two of its members at the time, Kuwait and Iraq, put the organization and its members as a whole in a complicated position. The threat of Western intervention in local affairs meant that a solution, preferably non-militarily, needed to be found. The decisions that you delegates will make, representing the nations of this region, will prove pivotal to the political future of this region for decades, and the lives and livelihoods of millions of your citizens.

MUN provides an experience like no other. It lets you get away from your home college campuses for a weekend, meet and debate with like-minded people from all over the country, and make friends and memories that’ll last long after your last conference. This is what I believe MUN is all about, and what I hope you all will experience this weekend, whether you are a newcomer who’s never debated in any format in your life or a seasoned veteran with dozens of conferences on your belt. From myself and the vice chair, as well as our crisis director Alexia and the rest of our backroom staff, I wish you a wonderful weekend here at LAMUN.

Daniel Qu

Chair | Arab League | LAMUN XVIII

CD Letter

Dear Delegates,

My name is Alexia Pepemehmetoglu and I’m excited to be your CD for LAMUN XVIII. Welcome to the Arab League!

I am currently a third-year Political Science and Global Studies double major at UCLA, with hopes of pursuing a higher degree in political science or public policy. My primary interests include American politics, international affairs, journalism, and political economy. I first joined Model UN at Mira Costa High School, meaning this is my third year in Model UN at UCLA and my seventh year overall. Actually, one of my first conferences was UCLA’s BruinMUN! I’ve also attended several conferences in New York, Montréal, San Francisco, and Paris, generally debating historical and political topics including international conflicts and nonproliferation. Outside of MUN, I love driving up PCH, exploring SoCal, pulling all-nighters at the library, and Yelping restaurants. Plus I’m a total shopaholic.

As the first major international conflict following the Cold War, the Gulf War is particularly interesting, especially as the international community’s response set the standard for how militaries would be used in the future. As rising tensions between Iraq and Kuwait peaked, negotiations between the countries failed, though Saddam Hussein reassured the Egyptian president he had no intentions to utilize the military. Yet a few hours later, he seized the opportunity and invaded Kuwait, an action immediately condemned by states around the world. Things to consider are the many factors that may influence the flow of debate, including covert alliances, the issue of oil, and religious differences, among others. Carefully research your country’s resources and outside allies as these can be used to your advantage in shifting the flow of debate. I’m looking forward to seeing your creative ideas and arcs.

I’m excited to see you all at LAMUN and watch the various angles you bring to the debate. Please feel free to email if you have any questions! 

Best,

Alexia Pepemehmetoglu

CD | Arab League | LAMUN XVIII