Committee: Committee: Ad Hoc on Terror
Topic: Joint Terrorism Investigations
Position Papers are due January 9th to qualify for a research award
All Position Papers due by January 13th at 11:59pm
Position Papers are due to the committee email
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I.
Background of Topic
Terrorism is defined as the use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims.
Terrorists are people who use violence and often murder in an attempt to protest for social change.
The most famous of these attacks are the 9/11 attacks, infamous around the world, but smaller acts of terrorism are committed by groups and individuals around the world every day. Terrorism is a threat to the world not only because of the violence it entails but because of the ease with which it can be carried out. Terrorism only takes one act of violence directed at a political target and, as previously stated, occurs around the world in both small and large ways. It is a truly global problem which requires a truly international solution. That is why you have been called to meet with your fellow delegates and discuss ways in which the nations of the world can unite and fight terrorism together. A joint investigation committee will allow all nations to speak about their own problems with terrorism and offer their solutions to the problem.
II.
United Nations Involvement
The war on terrorism is one of the world’s most pressing issues, and the United Nations and individual nations have worked tirelessly to fight the evils of terrorism. One example of an individual nation’s solution is the United States’ creation of the United States Department of homeland Security and the passing of the Patriot Act. Some examples of resolutions passed by the
UN to fight terrorism include Resolutions 66/171, 65/221, 64/118, and 44/29, all of which included measures to either prevent or eliminate international terrorism. You will need to research more UN actions and actions specific to your own nation.
III.
Bloc Positions
North American/European Bloc: These are the nations that are most heavily involved in the war on terror and with the greatest impact on terrorism. They are all willing to fight terrorism and have the resources to do so.

Latin American Bloc: Latin America is against terrorism but has trouble seeking and contributing aid to the war on terrorism because of various terrorist groups working in its nation’s borders, especially with the Middle East being the main target of the war on terror.
Middle Eastern Bloc: Most major terrorist cells operate out of and attack cities in the Middle East.
The region has been ravaged by terrorism throughout history and has the hardest time fighting terrorism. Although most nations claim not to support terrorism or speak out against the practice, some terrorist cells are government-supported and most nations can do nothing to stop the problem.
Asian Bloc: The nations of Asia are against terrorism but have not been able to make as big a difference as their more powerful Western counterparts.
African Bloc: The nations of Africa are against, but many nations are struck often by terrorist attacks, and the bloc can contribute little financial help.
IV.
Possible Solutions
There are many possible solutions to consider when one is fighting international terrorism. Many nations, most notably the United States, have declared war on terrorism and deployed troops to eliminate it at its roots. Other countries, such as the United Kingdom, may choose to join preexisting war efforts, eventually branching off to conduct their own combat and espionage missions.
However, it is the work of the United Nations to spread peace through diplomacy, not to monger war. As such, you will want to focus on nonviolent solutions. A good jumping-off point is education, and you will want to mention either using NGO’s or contributing your own nation’s capital. You will need to address how your nation plans to fight terrorism, how these plans will be financed, how long they will take to complete, and how these plans are to be executed over time.
V.
Guiding Questions
1. How has your nation been directly affected by terrorism?
2. Do any terrorist groups exist in or operate out of your nation?
3. Has your nation created any government bodies to fight terrorism?
4. What specific acts has your nation initiated to fight terrorism?

5. How does your nation plan to combat terrorism in the future?
VI.
Works Cited http://www.ice.gov/jttf/ http://www.un.org/terrorism/resolutions.shtml
http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/terrorism/terrorism3.htm