Student Guide to Model Diplomacy

WELCOME TO MODEL DIPLOMACY

Model Diplomacy is the Council on Foreign Relations multimedia simulation program that engages
you through role-play to understand the challenges of creating and implementing U.S. foreign policy
in a global society. This simulation places you in the role of a National Security Council (NSC)
member and challenges you to present and deliberate a response to a crisis or long-term policy
issue. Although your instructor may alter the structure, each simulation typically includes four
distinct sections of activity: reviewing the NSC Guide, exploring a case selected by your instructor,
enacting a role-play, and completing a wrap-up.

OBJECTIVES
1. Learn about the NSC system and the U.S. foreign policymaking process.
2. Gain a better understanding of a timely foreign policy concern facing the United States as
represented in a case study.
3. Participate in an NSC meeting role-play, taking into account your roles unique interests and
concerns as you debate policy options for the presidents consideration.
4. Reflect on this policymaking process, the issues you confronted, and how they affect your life.

NOTE: The following guide represents a sample use of Model Diplomacy. The program is designed to be a flexible and
adaptable simulation, so please be aware that your instructor may alter the program and that some of the
information and guidelines below may not be applicable to your class.

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STUDENT GUIDE
INSTRUCTIONS
After your instructor starts the simulation, you will receive an email from the Model Diplomacy
program inviting you to register. Click the link provided in the email and follow the registration
steps to join your class simulation. If you have previously participated in a Model Diplomacy
simulation, you will receive an email notifying you that your new simulation has been added to
your account.
When you are logged in, all four content sections of your class simulation will be available. Below is a
brief overview of the four sections and their corresponding assessments. Each of the four
assessments mentioned, however, will be visible only if your instructor opens them. You can access
the assessment below the table of contents within each section. You will receive an email from the
program each time a new assessment is opened.

NSC GUIDE
The first section, the NSC Guide, introduces you to the NSC system and its components, as well as to
some of the tools of national security and foreign policy. This section includes videos, text,
suggested additional reading, a timeline, an interactive glossary, and other multimedia.
Assessment: short-answer questions

CASE
The second section, Case, provides the details and context of the specific issue you will be
deliberating. These cases are hypothetical scenarios based on real-world situations. Whether the
material is entirely new, or raises issues with which you are already familiar, we encourage you to
use the resources provided to gain the deepest possible understanding of the issues at stake in the
case and their implications for the United States and the world. As with the NSC Guide, the case
includes videos, text, suggested additional reading, a timeline, an interactive glossary, and other
multimedia.
Assessment: short-answer questions

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STUDENT GUIDE
ROLE-PLAY
The third section, Role-play, marks the simulated NSC meeting. Your instructor will assign you a role
on the NSC, and you will receive a role sheet that provides a description of your position as well as
issues for consideration and, often, research leads specific to your role. The role sheet can be
accessed below the table of contents in all four sections.
Prior to the role-play, you will be asked to write a position memo in which you recommend a policy
option that takes into account your roles interest and concerns. You will use this memo during the in-
class NSC meeting to advise the president on his or her decision. If you are assigned the role of
president, you will write a presidential directive announcing your policy decision after the role-play,
not a position memo before. The Role-play section includes helpful tips on writing a memo and
conducting research, in addition to memo samples and templates and recommended additional
reading.
During the simulated NSC meeting, you will meet to debate and discuss U.S. policy options in
response to the issues outlined in the case. You will need to adopt the perspective of your assigned
role, advocating and defending views in line with that roles priorities and responsibilities. Your role
sheet, and any additional research you conduct, will help you become familiar with these priorities
and responsibilities. Consistent with the NSCs mission to advise the president, you should raise the
issues that are most important for the president to consider. This will enable him or her to make the
most informed decision on policy options. Though you may or may not agree with this decision, your
responsibility as an NSC member is to provide the best possible analysis and advice from the
perspective of your role.
Assessment: position memo or presidential directive

In-class Role-play Guidelines & Structure

1. Stay in your role at all times.
2. Follow the general protocol for speaking.
a. Signaling to Speak
i. The National Security Advisor (NSA) will administer the meeting and should decide on a
speaking order. Wait to be called on by the NSA.
ii. If you would like to speak out of turn, signal to the NSA, perhaps by raising a hand or
a placard, and wait until the NSA calls on you.
b. Form of Speech
i. Address the president as Mr. or Madam President and your fellow NSC members in
the same fashion (for example, Madam Secretary).
ii. Do not exceed predetermined time limits. If you exceed these limits, the NSA will cut you
off.
iii. Frame your comments with a purpose and stay on topic. Remember that you must
advise the president so that he or she can reach a decision on a precise policy
question.
c. Listening
i. Take notes while others are speaking.
ii. Refrain from whispering or conducting side conversations.
iii. Applause and booing are not appropriate. Your words will be the most effective tool
to indicate agreement or disagreement

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STUDENT GUIDE
The Simulated NSC meeting includes three rounds:

Round Timing Objectives Procedural Notes

One 2 to 3 minutes per 1. Present initial positions
participant to the president.
2. Investigate nuances of
positions with
questioning.
3. Crystalize the central
questions of debate.
Each participant presents his or
her position statement. If time
permits, the president may ask
questions to understand each
NSC members position and
bring out the essential questions
he or she wishes to debate.

Two 30 to 60 minutes 1. Clarify obstacles, risks,
opportunities, and
threats.
2. Evaluate the various
positions on their
merits.
This is the debate portion of the
role-play, when participants can
defend their recommended
options against others and
identify potential areas of
compromise or agreement.

Three 30 to 60 minutes 1. Narrow plans to a few This round should start with the
comprehensive and well- presidents statement of one to
focused strategies three preferred options to be
preferred by the fleshed out.
president.
2. Provide the president
with clear
recommendations from
NSC members, perhaps
as a consensus or
through a vote.
3. Arrive at a final
presidential decision.

WRAP-UP
After a presidential directive has been issued and a policy option has been chosen, you will shed
your institutional role. The fourth and final section, Wrap-up, guides you through a reflection on
your Role-play and culminates in a policy review memo written from your personal perspective.
Assessment: policy review memo

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STUDENT GUIDE
AFTER MODEL DIPLOMACY
Once you have completed a Model Diplomacy simulation, you should have a better working
knowledge of
the role of the United States in the world, along with the tools it uses to conduct foreign policy;
the process of making foreign policy in the United States and the role of particular
individuals and institutions; and
the issues and parts of the world that you explored in your case.

Additionally, through the simulation, you will improve skills and competencies such as
critical and analytical reading, writing, and thinking;
extemporaneous and effective oral communication, debate, and deliberation;
research and collaboration; and
the application of historical experience and perspective to contemporary issues.
We encourage you to continue applying what you learn as you explore other past, present, and
future foreign policy challenges. But the lessons of Model Diplomacy go well beyond foreign
policy. Knowing how to understand and weigh differing perspectives, form and present your
opinions effectively, and collaborate strategically with your peers will be invaluable in all of your
academic and career pursuits.

ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE
If you have any questions about the structure or content of your simulation, please contact your
instructor directly. For technical support or if you are experiencing any issues with the Model
Diplomacy website, please contact us at modeldiplomacy@cfr.org.

HELP US IMPROVE MODEL DIPLOMACY

Model Diplomacy is a dynamic program that is constantly evolving. Please share with us any
thoughts on what makes us great or where we can improve. We greatly value student input and
strive to make this a compelling experience every time! Send us your thoughts to
modeldiplomacy@cfr.org.

Model Diplomacy offers hypothetical cases based on real-world foreign policy issues. The information used herein is
intended for educational purposes only. Some of the statements contained on the Model Diplomacy website and in
associated materials are hypothetical, and therefore may not be true or accurate. Images used are intended only to
illustrate the narrative. There is not necessarily any direct or intended correlation between individuals in any
photographs or other images and associated text.

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STUDENT GUIDE