The Death of Stalin: The Ministry of State Security (MGB)
Note: At the beginning of Session I, each committee will receive around a 1 page background guide unique to their settlement/committee with additional information that will influence the flow of committee.
Topic 1: Protecting the Soviet State and Stopping Rebellion
Topic 2: Reforms to the Security Apparatus After Stalin?
It is March 5th, 1953, and the brutal Russian winter is in full force. Joseph Stalin, the beating heart at the center of the Soviet world, is dead. The Soviet public is currently blissfully unaware of this fact. But those in power know, and have been planning for this moment for decades: the vultures are already circling. Among the claimants to the Kremlin is the USSR's all-powerful security agency, the Ministry of State Security (MGB), led by the feared Lavrentiy Beria. A succession crisis is starting that could have cataclysmic consequences for the USSR, and the world. Support Beria's claim, and loyally fight off the other warring factions to land a prized position in the new regime. Alternatively, stake your own claim on the throne! Or perhaps to the shadowy men in black, the USSR's existence is something they no longer wish to support...
Co-chairs
Freeman Annas and Tray Riley
Feeman is a second year from Fairfax and Fredericksburg, Virginia, planning to double major in Cognitive Science and Global Public Health! Apart from all things Model UN, Feeman can be found playing guitar, practicing dance, going to the gym, watching soccer games, and forcing anyone she can find to go hiking with her. She is always down to try any new food, can probably vibe with anyone's music, and---after serving on Secretariat for VICS this year---is excited to meet everyone at VAMUN!
Trey Riley is a second-year double majoring in Linguistics and Computer Science, with a minor in Arabic. They have served on the IRO Constitutional Committee, and have been an active member of the General Body. Outside of IRO, they work as a research assistant in the Anthropology / Linguistics Department, serve as an Honor Committee Support Officer, and teach English via the NGO ENGin. They are excited to work with you all this Fall!
