Behind the Scenes: Security Council

"All's fair in love and war.”

This is what was being said when I walked through the security council’s doors and it perfectly sets the tone for the inspiring debating that is going on there. In this small room, set off from most of the conference, delegates are relentlessly defending their opinions through eloquent speeches and relevant points.

As they debate about terrorists in Yemen, multiple countries are going head to head. The Russian Federation and Sweden had an engrossing back and forth on the topic of whether or not agricultural land should be subsidized. While Sweden defends the idea that the land should be subsidized, Russia counters with the fact that it is those lands being targeted by air strikes making them unsuitable for cultivation in the first place. This back and forth continued with both sides defending their positions. China also added how subsidizing in the first place could set a bad precedent for the Security Council as a whole, while France added that there was a huge economic misunderstanding.” Overall, though, the Russian Federation’s point was recognized as being the most viable. On this amendment, there were 6 votes in favor, 3 against, and 5 abstaining, but the amendment did pass.

Later on, Kuwait and France disputed on the subject of calling groups in Yemen terrorists. Both tried to appeal to the other delegates’ humanitarian side, with Kuwait saying “we must try to bring peace” through one perspective, but France saying “you can’t fight war with war” from another. This heated debate continued with many compelling statements being made.

Not much is known about the Security Council by outside delegates, but it is truly one of the most engaging groups in the THIMUN conference. There is rarely a dull moment.