Committee Description

The year is 751 and the stage has just been set for the political maneuvers of two powerful forces in the ancient world: the burgeoning Abbasid Caliphate and the ever-expanding Tang Dynasty. This battle marks a juncture where the fate of Central Asia hangs in the balance, with the Silk Road serving as both a conduit for commerce and a goal to be conquered for political supremacy.

Emerging from the ashes of the Umayyad Caliphate, the Abbasid dynasty, under the leadership of Caliph Al-Mansur, seeks to extend its power over the lucrative trade routes and secure its place as a regional superpower . This aspiration puts them on a collision course with the Tang Dynasty, whose imperial reach has steadily encroached upon the western reaches of the Silk Road - and they're not ready to give it up yet. 

The year 751 witnesses a convergence of ambitions and rivalries as both powers vie for control of the strategic Talas River valley. Here, amidst the rugged terrain of modern-day Kazakhstan, The Abbasids, with their newly minted alliances face off against the Tang forces, bolstered by their formidable military prowess and longstanding agreements of their own. As alliances become more shaky, winning the battle and securing your leader’s position will not only take a demonstration of military might, but also creativity, technology, innovation, and strategy. 

Delegates will be asked to maneuver the delicate political alliances, strategize military deployment, and find new and creative innovations to turn the tide. As the committees go head to head, it's up to the delegates to determine who secures their name and who retreats. 

The Dais is incredibly excited to see you all at SSUNS 2024!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Charlie Abbott at crisis@ssuns.org

Acadia Knickerbocker

Chair

Nayeli Trejo Guerrero

Chair

Blayne Paradine

Vice-Chair

Theo Sainte-Marie

Coordinating Crisis Director

Maïna Mallette

Tang Dynasty Assistant Crisis Director

Cole Herman

Tang Dynasty Crisis Director

Warren Chen

Abbasid Caliphate Crisis Director

Roman Sejnoha

Abbasid Caliphate Assistant Crisis Director