Topic A: India/Pakistan Border Disputes

Topic B: Red Sea Crisis

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Topic A: India/Pakistan Border Disputes

The arbitrary borders drawn up by British officials during the partition of India remained a problem long after the colonial forces left. Pakistan claims the region due to its majority Muslim population, while India claims it due to the leadership of Kashmir wishing to join India. War broke out between the newly independent Pakistan and India over control over the disputed territory of Kashmir in 1947. The UN mediated a ceasefire line in 1949, serving as the de-facto border until the India-Pakistan War of 1971. China never recognized the boundary drawn up by British authorities, and continues to occupy and control territory claimed by India. A plebiscite to decide the official boundaries between India and Pakistan was never held, and it remains disputed between the three countries to this day. SPECPOL aims to prevent escalation of this conflict and maintain the relative peace between the involved parties. 

Topic B: Red Sea Crisis

Since 2014, the Shia Islamist group known as Ansar Allah (more colloquially as the Houthis) has led a rebellion against the internationally recognized Yemeni government. The Iranian government has been supporting the rebels (as well as other Islamist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah), while the Arab League led by Saudi Arabia has been supporting the Yemeni government. After the events of October 7th and the beginning of the Israeli invasion of Gaza, the Houthis began attacking shipping passing through the Suez Canal, through the Red Sea, and past the coast of Yemen. This waterway is one of the most critical shipping routes in the world, with hundreds of ships being forced to sail around the Cape of Good Hope, making trips far longer. In response, the US and its allies launched Operation Prosperity Guardian, bombing Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen. SPECPOL aims to maintain peace and cooperation through peacekeeping missions and negotiation.