Review of model diplomacy

Abstract

Model Diplomacy is a new interactive foreign policy simulation offered by the Council on Foreign Relations. The simulation uses hypothetical crises based on real-world challenges facing the United States, allowing students to explore these issues in the context of an emergency meeting called by the President of the United States. In the simulation, students function as members of the National Security Council (NSC) who advise the president on policy implementation. Students take on the personas of key figures like the President, Vice President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Advisor. The cases found in Model Diplomacy cover a range of realistic crises that could be confronted by American foreign policy makers in the future, and allow students to consider options to address those issues in an interactive format. To date, the Model Diplomacy library contains 14 contemporary cases, covering key concepts and issues in international relations like deterrence, development, energy, nationalism, multilateralism, nonproliferation, terrorism, trade and human rights.