IR Simulation: Final Position Paper
 
A Reflection on Tukrey
 
Turkey played a significant role in the discussion of the issues concerning the
War on Iraq, and the conflicts of Palestine and Israel. In this role Turkey
attended the Montreal Peace Conference along with several other countries to
deliberate possible solutions in an attempt to solve the world's issues that are
at hand.
As the Americans declared War on Iraq the importance of Turkish cooperation with
the States became evident when the U.S. started to strategically plan their
fronts for their attacks on Iraq. Ironically, Turkey never wanted to be
affiliated with the war as it, like the United Nations, is in search of a
peaceful resolution. Turkey is a country of importance to Iraq, Turkey's Muslim
neighbors, and to the States their long time friends.  However, as the
significance of Turkey's geological position has been addressed Turkey has been
drawn into an awkward position involving the war they never wanted. Turkey's
current role in the War serves importance to the American military, as they have
demanded the use of Turkey's land in order to set up a northern attack on Iraq.
However, although their land would be an extremely useful tool, the democratic
Turkey will not allow ground troops in their country. In exchange for monetary
benefits from the U.S., Turkey has decided to grant air space to American
troops. Turkey's significance in this war will continue to ascend as the war
prevails and new treaties with the U.S. are formed. However, after much
discussion in the simulation with countries involved in the United Nations and
the European Union, Turkey wishes to make their objectives clear that they do
not agree with military involvement in Iraq. Turkey's objectives lay in solving
this issue peacefully.
Turkey can also be importantly recognized in the escalation of the War on Iraq
as they have been accused of starting a "war within a war". The Turkish
government has been fighting conflict with the Kurds for decades. The oppressive
treatment the Kurds receive from the Turkish government and the existence of the
Kurdish culture for many many years has suggested that the Kurds receive their
own state. Significantly, Turkey will not allow this to happen, as they do not
wish to forfeit any land or power, especially Kirkuk, Mosul and their large oil
fields. With motives of preventing the creation of a Kurdish state Turkey has
involved their troops in the Iraqi war as Turkey feels that the war could end in
the liberation of Turkish and Iraqi Kurds. When Turkey placed their military in
Iraq and along the country boarders The U.S. grew angry in fear of Turkey
starting a separate war similar to the conflicts over land in Palestine and
Israel and as a result Turkey withdrew their troops. However, Turkey's policy
objectives still remain. Even though Turkey is cooperating with the U.S. their
objectives remain that they will not stand for an independent Kurdish state
prevailing. In peace talks on this issue Turkey's allies, the States, agreed to
ensure the Kurds do not make any further advancements. This agreement will
result in the most peaceful temporary resolution to this conflict at this
present time.
 These issues and objectives were all addressed throughout the course of the
simulation and due to each countries different motives and objectives, alliances
and treaties were formed. Turkey, although resisting some U.S. demands are
allies with the States as they are providing them with military support in
return for monetary benefits. In keeping their main objective of solving the
Iraq crisis peacefully, Turkey is also allied with the United Nations who share
the same beliefs and the European Union as well. In creating alliances and
treaties Turkey was also sure to establish it's objectives regarding the
European Union. Thus, Turkey made it known to these organizations and involved
countries that it too is taking an anti-war stance. These common grounds make
for a solid alliance and are helpful in Turkey's chances in becoming a part of
the European Union. As for adversaries involving this issue, there are not many. 
However, Turkey's neighboring Iraqi community and other Muslim groups in support
of Iraq are not happy that Turkey has minimally cooperated with the U.S. Thus
possibly making these groups an unlikely but potential threat to Turkey.
Turkey used strong negotiating skills when it came to this issue. Although
allies there was much dispute and discussion between the U.S. and Turkey before
an agreement of the amount of land and air space Turkey would provide the States
with was met. Through conference and negotiation Turkey and the U.S. were able
to come up with a plan that somewhat satisfies both parties. In the end Turkey
agreed to the usage of Turkey's air space as well as minimal land space in
southern Turkey. In return Turkey receives economical benefits that will aid
Turkey in the country's financial debts. The other negotiations that Turkey made
on this issue were also with the States. After disagreement, the U.S. and Turkey
negotiated a compromise involving The Kurds. This compromise is temporary and
both countries are aware that there will be aftermath to be dealt with but in
the midst of the war, this solution works for both sides. Turkey has agreed with
the States in that they will remove their troops in return for the halt of
Kurdish advancements. Generally, these negotiations prove to be within reason
for both countries. Turkey's goal is to attain a peaceful resolution while also
achieving its main objectives and therefore it is important for Turkey to use
particular strategy. Turkey was able to get the Kurd situation under control by
forcing their military in and getting the U.S. nervous about a war within a war,
and because of this the States were willing to compromise on a conflict that
Turkey as a country is really concerned about. Thus, Turkey's actions involving
the Kurds contained much strategy.
 Conclusively on this issue, Turkey was able to make their concerns and
objectives heard throughout the international community. Unfortunately, due to
prioritization of the issues discussed at the Peace Conference formal treaties
and resolutions exclusively involving the War on Iraq were not formally made.
However, new insight into the issue was acknowledged and new negotiations were
formed.
 
As the main issue being addressed at the Peace Conference was the
Palestine/Israel conflict Turkey also played a role in the discussions regarding
this issue as well. Although Turkey's main concerns primarily center around the
Iraqi issue, Turkey contributed to the treaty that was made in attempt to bring
peace to both Palestine and Israel. Turkey had its own views and in discussion
made it clear that they believed that Palestine should be given a separate
state. Turkey included in their position that they've enjoyed sharing trading
and military relations with Israel however the massacres need to end. Turkey
brought forth to the international community that they support their Palestinian
brothers. Simply put the only objectives Turkey had concerning this matter was
to see Palestine receive their state, and bringing terrorism to an end.
  Supporting and Allied with Palestine Turkey defended Palestinian rights at the
conference. Turkey made it known that they condemn terrorist acts and that a
peaceful and fair agreement must be reached. Turkey did not have to negotiate
much on this issue as the majority of the other countries present at the
conference all had the same policy objectives. Israel was primarily the main
country that opposed these views but majority rules. Basically, Turkey was
allied with the majority that believed Palestine should be given a state and
there was no negotiation needed. On the other hand it was Israel who played the
role as the adversary. Turkey does not agree with the actions Israel has taken
against Palestinians and makes that clear but does also not wish to tarnish the
Turkish Israeli relationship.
A successful strategy that was used in this situation was the use of the
majority to over rule. From previously meeting and conferencing with other
countries Turkey was able to get a feel for the number of countries that agreed
with their objectives. From this all the countries were able to work together
and strategize, resulting in a majority vote that satisfied the many countries
who were apart of this strategic alliance. Through negotiations between all
countries a new treaty was developed.  Overall in this treaty, Turkey's
objectives for Palestine were met as the international community agreed upon
granting Palestine its own state, denationalization of Jerusalem, restructuring
of both Palestinian and Israeli governments, and the implementation of the
education awareness program.
 
 
Final Recommendations
    The Peace Treaty that was formed at the Montreal Peace Conference seems to
be a simple solution to the Palestine/Israel conflict however, I question the
reality of these resolutions. I believe that some of the things we included in
the peace treaty have great potential to end this conflict but in order for that
to happen in reality both Palestine and Israel need to become more agreeable,
the way the country representatives at our Peace Conference became. In our peace
treaty we encompassed a peaceful resolution that states Palestine will be made
an individual state and that Jerusalem will be denationalized. However, I do not
agree that this would go over smoothly in reality as Palestine and Israel have
been fighting over Holy Land for such a long period of time and they do not wish
to share it.  Although I believe that this conflict would not be immediately
solved by the treaty that was proposed at the Peace Conference I do believe that
the proposals made stating that both governments are to be restructured can
prove to make a peaceful resolution for the future. Removing Palestinian leader
Arafat and replacing him with Abbas will prove to end the terrorism and a
restructure of the Palestinian government, which in my opinion could prove to be
successful. However, a new Israeli leader must also be put in place. If both new
leaders are more willing to find a more peaceful resolution than their previous
leaders I believe that Palestine will become independent with less conflict and
that the denationalization of Jerusalem will be effective, although there will
be UN troops guarding this land to ensure its peace. My thoughts on the School
Awareness Program that was implemented in the treaty are that I believe it to be
an excellent idea that in all theory should work however in reality I do not
believe that it will prove to be successful. I do not believe that educating
young students about the rights of their neighboring countries will be
successful as outside of school they are still exposed to the hostile views of
their elders. Even though the children are being educated about peace and human
rights in the School Awareness Program they will still be educated outside of
school by elder members of the community on the hostility that still remains
between countries. As useless as I believe this program will be I am still glad
that it was implemented. As Great Britain said at the conference, "it is better
to try this than do nothing at all," and I agree with this. The School Awareness
Program may not evolutionize the thinking of all younger Middle Eastern citizens
but it is better to try than to do nothing about it. If the School Awareness
Program helps at least one student than it is worth it. I believe that we cannot
stand by and just let things happen we must take positive action.
Overall, I believe the resolutions that the international community encompassed
in the Peace Treaty were very well thought out and hold great potential for
realistic resolutions.  However, in our conference Israel and Palestine were too
cooperative with the international community and the treaty where as in real
life Israel and Palestine would be more opposed. On this note it is difficult to
say which aspects of the treaty are realistic or not because at this point there
seems to be no cooperation between Israel and Palestine. Especially since Israel
has started the construction of a electric wall around their land. If some how
the international community could rid the Israeli troops from Palestinian land
and minimize terrorist attacks both Israel and Palestine maybe more agreeable,
however their conflict has just been one viscous circle. Conclusively, I believe
that our international community was able to come together in a very diplomatic
and peaceful manner to come up with our treaty. I am not sure how realistic the
treaty is due to the stubbornness of both countries but I must say that if in
reality both countries were willing to accept the treaty and cooperate, the
treaty would be victorious.
 
 
Application
 There were many ways in which the simulation mirrored real events and there
were many ways in which it did not.  However, I did think that the simulation
went very well. I do not believe that these mirrored true events as in the end
everything seemed to be resolved. The treaty was made and everyone seemed to be
somewhat agreed on what was said. I do not believe this to be mirroring a real
event for if it was I believe the Israel and Palestine would have more to say
and not be so accepting of the new treaty.  However, in my opinion I thought
that the setup of the whole simulation was excellent. The encompassment of the
position speech, country conferences, debate and peace treaty all proved to
mirror the international operations that presently exist. I also thought that
incorporating the media into the simulation was a very good idea as the media is
an important element in international relations. I did feel that the debates and
conversations did sometimes veer away from reality with some things that were
said but for the most part everything was kept as true to the issue as possible.
 The most important thing I learned about the Middle East throughout this
simulation was just how poorly organized their governments are structured. From
interacting with government members from a variety of different countries
throughout the simulation and from doing research on the countries current
leaders I firstly realized just how many Muslim countries there are in the
world. Secondly and most importantly I realized the oppression that is involved
in most of the Middle Eastern governments. Many of the Middle Eastern
governments live high class rich lives while they oppress their people, rob them
of their rights and force them to live in poverty. From this new knowledge of
the government operations in the Middle East I have come to realize that the
true victims are the Middle Eastern people. This key knowledge helped me to
realize my own personal view points on the crisis in the Middle East. In my
opinion I strongly believe that the people need to be liberated and protected.
However, the question still remains, who are the ones to liberate them? And will
they and should they trust their liberators?
 My recommendations for next year include picking an issue such as a previous
World War to debate. I think this would be an excellent issue to study. Since
the issue has been dealt with it would be interesting to see if the classes
international community would deal with it differently and what changes in the
treaties that were made back then would be made now knowing what the world is
like and has become.  As I've stated I believe the issue should be changed but
the format still remain. Another suggestion would to be incorporate a television
or radio medium into the media if possible. Overall, I have few suggestions as I
truly enjoyed the format and smooth flow of the international relations
simulation. The simulation is an excellent way to get students to care about
issues that are going on in the world around them as well as teaches the student
a lot. Plus a little friendly competition and debate is always fun for the
students. I wish next year's simulation the best of luck and I hope that it is
as fun as ours was.