Thirteen Days:
Cuban Missile Crisis

Opening Brief: Cuban Missile Crisis MUN Crisis Simulation

Date: October 15, 1962
Committee: Tri-Factional Crisis Council (United States, Soviet Union, Cuba)
Crisis Type: Real-time escalation with resolution-based diplomacy and limited backchannel capability
Total Delegates: 20

Crisis Context:
A U-2 reconnaissance plane has just returned photographic evidence that the Soviet Union is installing nuclear missiles in Cuba. These missiles are capable of striking nearly every major city in the continental United States within minutes of launch. The installations appear nearly operational. The world is now closer to nuclear war than at any point in human history.

President Kennedy has convened the Executive Committee of the National Security Council (EXCOMM). In Moscow, Premier Khrushchev maintains that Soviet actions are defensive and justified. In Havana, Fidel Castro demands support from his allies and vows to repel any U.S. aggression with force.

Public knowledge is minimal. The press does not yet know. Diplomats are scrambling. A misstep could result in annihilation.

Committee Structure & Expectations:
This simulation includes three power blocs:

• United States Delegation (EXCOMM) – Charged with advising JFK and executing U.S. foreign, military, and economic policy.

• Soviet Union Delegation (Politburo and High Command) – Responsible for Soviet diplomatic posture, military presence, and strategic coordination.

• Cuban Delegation (Council of the Revolution) – Defending Cuban sovereignty, advancing revolutionary goals, and responding to both allies and adversaries.

Each bloc will coordinate internally, propose joint or individual resolutions, and respond to escalating crisis updates. Heads of state (JFK, Khrushchev, Fidel Castro) are NPCs who will only act when a majority of their bloc supports a course of action.

Initial Situation Briefing:

• Photographic proof of medium-range ballistic missile installations in Cuba has reached Washington.

• No official statements have been made publicly.

• The U.S. Navy is on alert; initial plans for a "quarantine" (naval blockade) are under discussion.

• The Soviet Union has denied shipping offensive weapons to Cuba in recent public remarks.

• The Cuban military is being placed on high alert. Fidel has not been informed of any backchannel talks.

Primary Questions for Immediate Debate:

1. Should the United States pursue public diplomacy or secret backchannel negotiations?

2. How will the Soviet Union respond to perceived U.S. provocations?

3. What role will Cuba play in determining the fate of missiles on its soil?

4. Can any agreement be trusted in time to prevent a first strike?
   
   

Directive Types Allowed:

• Internal Resolutions (within your faction)

• Cross-Faction Agreements

• UN Proposals (public-facing)

• Covert Action Orders (must pass internal vote and receive chair approval)

Alliances are flexible, but betrayal is remembered.

The clock is ticking.