Security Council
Committee Chairs
Drishti Pattnaik President
Greetings, delegates!
I am Drishti Pattnaik, a current sophomore at Shanghai Livingston American School. It is my utmost honor to be serving as the President of Security Council at SMICMUN VIII this year.
My topic of focus for this conference will be addressing the conflict in Yemen and the Red Sea. These issues are of regional importance, carrying significant global implications and geopolitical tensions that may decide the fate of our society. In this upcoming March, I am eager to witness your insightful debates, innovative solutions, and diplomatic efforts to tackle these pressing issues.
I look forward to seeing everyone at SMICMUN, and good luck to everyone!
Anthony Yang Deputy President
Hello delegates!
My name is Anthony Yang, and I am a current sophomore attending SMIC. It is my honor to serve as Deputy President for the Security Council at SMICMUN this year. I have been involved in MUN since ninth grade and this will be my first time chairing. I believe that MUN is one of the best activities I ever attended, and I gained so much throughout my experience, for example, confidence, happiness, and critical thinking skills. Delegates, I believe that all of you will have a wonderful experience at SMICMUN VIII!
During this conference, I will be focusing on "The Situation in Myanmar." This issue is characterized by regional instability and human rights violations, especially following multiple conflicts between the military junta and minorities. It is urgent to address the ongoing conflict, and I am delighted to see the well-crafted resolutions from all delegates.
Good luck, delegates, and I am excited to meet all of you at the upcoming conference!
Committee Topics
Addressing the Conflict in Yemen and the Red Sea
The conflict in Yemen has recently eased, with renewed talks between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi rebels bolstered by Saudi-Iran normalization efforts. However, progress toward peace remains limited because of the continuance of sporadic violence. The Southern Transitional Council (STC) complicates negotiations by pushing for an independent southern state, while al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has intensified attacks in the south. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis remains severe, with 21.6 million people—nearly two-thirds of the population—relying on aid, including 11 million children, and more than 4.5 million displaced. Recent geopolitical tensions have further destabilized the region, with the Houthis launching drone and missile attacks on Red Sea shipping in retaliation for Israel's war on Hamas, hijacking vessels and disrupting global trade routes. This escalation prompted U.S. and U.K. airstrikes on Houthi targets in January 2024. Although diplomatic efforts continue, the situation remains fragile, with rising fears of prolonged conflict, worsening humanitarian conditions, and economic instability.
The Situation in Myanmar
In late October 2023, three ethnic armed groups in Myanmar launched a coordinated offensive against the military junta, marking the most significant challenge to its rule since the February 2021 coup. Insurgents used drones to attack military and police outposts across the Kayah, Rakhine, and Shan states, intensifying conflict in regions bordering Thailand, India, and China. Myanmar has long struggled with ethnic divisions and governance since gaining independence in 1948, with the military (Tatmadaw) maintaining control for much of its history. The junta's violent repression of minorities, particularly the Rohingya, has drawn international condemnation, especially after a brutal 2017 crackdown forced over 700,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. Following the 2021 coup, protests erupted nationwide, but the military's lethal response has only served to exacerbate the conflict and deepen unrest. Out of this ongoing conflict rises exigent humanitarian crises, especially for displaced Rohingya refugees living in overcrowded, underserved camps in Bangladesh, further destabilizing the region.