Shifting Balance: A Simulation of Defense, Diplomacy and Development in the Horn of Africa
The Horn of Africa, consisting of the nations of Eritrea, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Somalia, represents one of the most complex and challenging regions in the world for policymakers. In the past several years these nations have made impressive progress in terms of security reform, economic development and ensuring basic human rights. However the region is still beset by national separatism, authoritarian regimes, terrorism, piracy, poverty and conflict.

This simulation will look at the steps policymakers must take to ensure the continued progress in the region and that crises do not result in a catastrophic backslide. Participants will work with all the regional actors, both state and non-state, to develop a comprehensive and whole of government response to issues as disparate as piracy, international smuggling, famine, government reform and elections and traditional interstate conflict. They will grapple with serious questions of U.S. national interest, develop policies to pursue the decided upon objectives and attempt to determine optimal responses to a variety of crisis situations. Other participants may find themselves planning, and potentially executing, complex military or operations or humanitarian assistance and development programs.

Participants will represent policy actors and practitioners from the U.S. government, including the Departments of Defense and State, the White House and the Intelligence Community, and key officers and staff members from U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Special Operations Command and the U.S. Embassies throughout the region.

This registration will help the Control Team of this simulation determine the best and most effective role for you to participate in during the simulation. As a reminder this event will take place beginning at 11:30am on February 1st, in Funger Hall Room 108. We will provide more information through e-mail closer the simulation, including specific locations. If you have any question, comments or concerns, or wish to observe the simulation, please contact: gwuscs@email.gwu.edu
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Participant Information
Name *
Please enter your full name.
E-mail *
Please enter an email address to which we can send important updates regarding the event.
Cell Phone Number *
Academic Standing *
Please indicate your academic standing.
Major and/or Concentration *
Please select the option that most closely matches your major and concentration.
Position Preference
Please preference below the groups you would be most interested in participating for this simulation. The Control Team will do its best you ensure you receive a position relevant to your experiences and interests. No prior knowledge or experience is required for any position.
Group Preference - First Choice *
Indicate your first choice for a role from the below options.
Group Preference - Second Choice *
Indicate your second choice for a role from the below options.
Group Preference - Third Choice *
Indicate your third choice for a role from the below options.
Group Preference - Fourth Choice *
Indicate your fourth choice for a role from the below options.
Leadership *
Are you interested in a leadership role within your group?
Participant Background
This section provides the Control Team with some information regarding your background and interests to ensure all participants receive relevant and valuable positions.
Particular Areas of Interest or Knowledge
Please tell us about any particular areas of personal interest or knowledge that you have relevant to this simulation, such as knowledge about special operations forces,  interest multilateral diplomacy, background information about Somalia, etc. This is not required but will allow to assign an optimal role for the simulation. (A lack of experience will not negatively affect your application.)
Academic, Professional and Simulation Experience
Please tell us briefly about any any skills, academic or professional experience you think may be relevant to this simulation or would like us to consider. If you have participated in simulations or exercises such as these before, please indicate that here. This is not required but will allow to assign an optimal role for the simulation. (A lack of experience will not negatively affect your application.)
Logistical Information
This section provides the Control Team information about participant availability leading up to the event and on the day. This will not affect your ability to participate but will assist the Control Team in assigning key positions.
Event Attendance *
Can you commit to attend the entire event from 11:30-6:00 on Saturday, February 1st? This will not affect your ability to participate but will ensure key positions are assigned to participants who will be present for the entire event.
Event Preparation *
Would be interested in and able to attend a preparatory event during the week prior to the event or willing to review read ahead documents to prepare for the sim? If you are interested and able to prepare ahead of time for the event, you will recieve priority for a leadership position. However this will not affect your department preference or your ability to attend the sim.
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