Simulation: Israel
It is September of 2011, and you have been hired by a Presidential campaign to structure a new constitution for the government of Iraq. In the winter of 2010-11, insurgents in Iraq launched major campaigns against Coalition forces. So many U.S. soldiers were killed during the fighting, that two things happened simultaneously: 1) most of the Iraqi clergy came out in open support of insurgency and the ranks of the insurgents grew (estimated between 47% and 53% of the Iraqi population is now in support of insurgency), and 2) the American populace turned against support for the war, with riots on many university campuses and large cities and open disdain for the war in many circles.
Complicating matters, Syria and Israel have exchanged missiles and fighter battles a number of times in the past year, each time escalating. Troops are now massed on both sides of the border, and full scale conflict appears unavoidable. Iran and Egypt have vowed to join Syria if war erupts. Saudi Arabia has denied the Coalition any use of bases or airspace, and has threatened to triple oil prices if the U.S. or Europe backs Israel in a conflict. Fuel prices currently average $6.80 per gallon in the U.S.
Building on the anti-war sentiment, Hillary Clinton announced her run for the Presidency. Present polling shows her leading the following Republican candidates, all of whom have announced their candidacy: Clinton 56-Giuliani 43; Clinton 57-Romney 42; Clinton 59-Rice 40; Clinton 50-McCain 49. The major voting point is the war in Iraq. Polls show that any Republican candidate who turns anti-war loses an additional 18% of the vote, but anyone who can provide a convincing plan for getting out of Iraq while leaving it free and stable gains 5-12%.
You have been hired to craft a constitution for the nation of Iraq, for your candidate to propose. A written document would be far too divisive in Iraq, as it would be almost entirely interpreted by the clergy and not the people themselves. Your plan should be a clear, 1-page diagram. All the plans must be presented on Friday, September 15 at 2 pm to the Republican National Committee. The RNC will decide which of the plans to endorse. Polls predict that RNC endorsement will sway the primaries and final choice of candidate by 6-11%. Currently, Republicans are split among the candidates in the following break down: Giuliani 26%, Romney 25%, Rice 22%, McCain 20%, Cheney (not running) 5%, and 2% other. Bring sufficient copies of your plan to hand out to all participants and mentors. You will have 15 minutes to present to the RNC, and then a few minutes to answer their questions.
The RNC will be evaluating plans based on three criteria: 1) likelihood of the plan creating a free and stable Iraq (5 vital forms), 2) sale-ability of the plan the American populace, and 3) sale-ability of the plan to the Iraqi clerics and people.
Giuliani—(names of team members here)
Romney—(names of team members here)
McCain—(names of team members here)
Rice—(names of team members here)
RNC—(names of team members here—should include more experienced participants)
Coaches—(names of team members here)
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