BACKGROUND

GUIDELINES

FUTURISTIC CRISIS

COMMITTEE

Executive Board –

Chair- Ashwin Kumar Vijay

Director- Ananya Rae Chandra

Rapporteur- Kartik Mathur

EMAIL ID FOR SENDING POSITION PAPERS – shrimun.fcc@gmail.com

DEADLINE – 25th JUNE (11:59 PM)

CONTENTS

Information about the Committee – Pgs 3 – 4

The World As It Stands Today – Pg 5

The Background Timeline – Pgs 6 – 17

2013 – Pgs 6 – 7

2014 – Pgs 8 – 9

2015 – Pgs 10 – 11

2016 – Pgs 12 – 13

2017 – Pgs 14 – 15

2018 – Pgs 16 – 17

End Note – Information on writing the Position Papers – Pgs 18 –

20

Further Reading – Pgs 21 – 22

UNITED NATIONS FUTURISTIC CRISIS COMMITTEE

Dear Delegates,

We are pleased to be able to welcome you to the Futuristic Crisis Committee, Shri

MUN 2012. This guide, prepared by the Executive Board, will, along with other documents that will soon be provided, serve as the basis of the committee.

Unlike in other committees, the documents provided to you will not simply be a

starting point or basic guide for your research. Instead, contrary to most committees, these documents will serve as the entire framework of the committee.

Given the very nature of the committee, it is necessary that you delegates create and

aim to implement means to solve the crises that may arise. Thus, while the framework of the committee, and indeed that of the time, is defined, the solutions

must be suited to a situation rather different from what we have today.

The gap between countries, defined by the circumstances and events, must be bridged – and with methods consistent with the essential principles of the United

Nations, with the aim to bring lasting world peace.

We'd wish you luck, delegates, but it will take a lot more than just favorable chance to solve the crises of the world. We don't need luck. We need a solution.

If you have any questions, on anything related to the committee or agenda, please

feel to contact the Executive Committee members through the email addresses listed below.

See you in committee,

The Executive Board, Futuristic Crisis Committee, Shri MUN 2012.

Ashwin Kumar Vijay Chair

Ananya Rae Chandra

Director ananya.rae.chandra@gmail.com

Kartik Mathur

Rapporteur kartik_mathur@hotmail.com

The Futuristic Crisis Committee

Introduction to the Committee

The Futuristic Crisis Committee (FCC) is designed, as the name suggests, to deal with a simulated crisis that can possibly take place some years from now. The

aim of the committee, or that of any committee dealing with a crisis, is to reach a solution, preferably a diplomatic and peaceful conclusion to the

situation.

The Futuristic Crisis Committee, in this case, has been convened by the United Nations Security Council to deal with the situation at a broader level, engaging

and dealing with the aspects of the problem while taking into account the views of a larger set of countries – and remembering that the effects of the

decisions taken will have wider consequences.

In a crisis, any crisis, the key aspects, including the security of the surrounding regions, the humanitarian issues, the long-term and short-term, must be

addressed. The FCC seeks to find a comprehensive solution to deal with these issues effectively and, preferably, diplomatically.

The FCC that will be simulated at Shri MUN – 2012 will take place in the year

2018.

Below is a summary and timeline of the main events that have occurred in the world between May 2012 and June 2018.

The World As It Stands Today

July, 2018

Much has changed since the dawn of the decade. Yet the fears that plagued mankind years ago thrive even today. Epidemics, Natural Disasters, Terrorist

Attacks and Racism are as real today as they ever were.

Among these and perhaps the greatest of them all, is the threat of Nuclear Proliferation. Terrorist Groups armed with nuclear capability, however small,

will possess the strength to obliterate whole cities in pursuit of their aims, potentially forcing countries to bow to their demands or risk the safety of

millions of people.

The capture of the Nuclear bases in Pakistan and the disappearance of many of the Pakistani Nuclear Weapons has raised huge concerns over the nuclear

capability of the terrorist collation. Multiple United States officials have anonymously stated that Iran is supplying weapons, including nuclear

materials, to Hamas.

More countries are looking to acquire Nuclear Weaponry as well. Iran and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea jointly developed Nuclear Weapons and Israel has confirmed its nuclear capability. Syria, Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries, tired of western interference in the area, have allied with Iran, and Iran’s assertion of the inalienable right to peaceful nuclear technology. Egypt

has finally completed its nuclear program, which experts from various countries have stated can be used for the creation of Nuclear Weapons,

despite IAEA assurances that the program is exclusively peaceful.

The Background Timeline

2013 → January. Iran reveals two new under-construction nuclear enrichment sites, one partly operational. The former is near Qom while the second is near Chalus. It claims that Nuclear Material has not yet been inserted into either facility. The United States, along with many other countries including the United Kingdom, France and Germany, called on Iran to halt its enrichment program or risk further sanctions and condemned Iran for not having declared its plans to develop these sites earlier. Russia and China refuse to comment. → February. Iran refuses to halt its program citing its “ inalienable right to continue enrichment programs”. Iran warns that it will enhance the enrichment program if sanctions are placed. Many of the countries belonging to the Non-Aligned Movement support Iran’s right to a peaceful nuclear program, including Egypt and India. → March. Egypt announces its plans to restart building its first nuclear power plant along with Algeria. It claims that the El Dabaa site problems have been resolved and that the Russian MGD-20 will be delivered shortly and aims to have the Nuclear Power Plant operation within two years. The IAEA confirms that Egypt has fulfilled all required safeguards and is capable of building and operating a Nuclear Power Plant. → July. The IAEA annual report stated that Iran's released enrichment program statistics, from 2012,show that it could possibly have been using the operational site for the creation of weapons-grade material. Iran denied that it had been involved in the creation of such material and accused the IAEA of a pro-Western bias. The IAEA report's recent statistics of North Korea’s nuclear programme show little to no deviation from previous trends. → September. Al-Qaeda claims responsibility for a series of blasts that rip through the streets of Kabul. The attack claims the lives of over a hundred people, leaving many more critically injured. The United States increases its troop deployment in the area significantly, yet maintains that plans for its scheduled pull-out are underway. → November. The UNSC Resolution passed resolves to maintain the sanctions

on Iran. Russia and China both abstain from voting, although statements in committee indicate that they might not be agreeable to further sanctions based solely on the fact that Iran is continuing its enrichment program. → December. The murder of three school girls in Kashmir (area held by India) triggered protests for freedom in that region. Pakistan has asked India to give up its territorial rights to Kashmir. The number of insurgent attacks in the area increased and weapons, which were later traced back to Pakistan and Afghanistan, were recovered from some of the attacks.

2014 → January. Israel tests the Jericho IV missile. Iran condemns the West and in particular the United States of America for “selective obstructionist policies” and claims that the United States of America is supporting the Israeli Nuclear Program. The United States denies that it is supporting the Israeli Nuclear Program but refuses to comment on the tests. → February. The United States of America says that it aims for a complete pullout of its troops from Afghanistan by late 2015 or early 2016. It cites the recent improvement in the security of the region since the September attacks of 2013. → March. United States and Afghani troops announce that they intercepted a large shipment of opium poppy, moving across the border into Pakistan. The total value of the cocaine is estimated at USD 3.2 billion. Officials have said that the shipment was heavily guarded. Weapons recovered are reportedly similar to those recovered from terrorist attacks, leading officials to believe that the money is being used to fund terrorist activity. → April. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea launched the Unha 4. The North Korean Government claimed that the satellite was intended to monitor weather, crops and forestation. Western Analysts stated that the delivery system could possibly be used as an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, and possibly for the deployment of nuclear warheads. The United States doubles its deployed force in South Korea. DPRK condemns this deployment. The UNSC resolution on limiting North Korean Nuclear Capabilities is recalled and voted on by the UNSC, where it is vetoed by the Russia and China. → May. Dokka Umarov claims responsibility of a suicide bombing in the Russian Capital. The attack, which took place in a crowded subway station, killed over 50 people. The international community strongly condemned the attack on unarmed civilians. → June. Reports indicate that the first of the two new Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities have become fully operational. The United States calls on the Iran to stop its enrichment program. The United States ends diplomatic relations with Eritrea and closes its embassy, stating the Eritrea has supported the Al-Shabaab extreamists against the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia, which remains active in light

of the continuing unrest in the area, and places Eritrea on the United States list of State sponsors of terrorism. → July. Operation Thunderstrike, carried out against insurgent camps along the Afghan-Pakistan Border are deemed a success by United States Officials. Reports indicate that it destroyed multiple Al-Qaeda and other terrorist camps in the area. United States Officials state that this will be the last major operation by foreign forces in the region. → September. Indian Border Security Forces clash with Chinese forces near the Indo-China border in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Three Indians were killed. North Korea increases its troop deployment along the 38th parallel in response to a series of training exercises conducted jointly by the United States of American and the Republic of Korea.

2015 → January United States announces that the first phase of the final pull-out from Afghanistan by foreign forces has begun. Hamid Karzai issues a press release thanking the United Nations, the United States and other supporting countries for their support in dealing with terrorism in the region and for stabilizing Afghanistan. → February. Egypt announces that its Nuclear Program is approaching completion and announces that construction on the nuclear plant in Algeria will commence soon. Iran releases another statement condemning the United States and its “deliberate interference in the Iranian Nuclear Program” which it claims is also exclusively for civilian purposes. However, Iran congratulates Egypt on its progress. → March. Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah is captured on the outskirts of Multan, Pakistan after a successful United States Special Forces Mission. He is removed from the list of the FBI's most wanted terrorists. The information that led to his capture is not revealed by the United States Government. They report that he has revealed that large assets are possessed by Al-Qaeda and are located in banks in Taiwan, Thailand and Myanmar. Also, the Al-Qaeda receives large numbers of arms from those countries. India accuses Pakistan of negligence with respect to dealing with terrorism. Pakistan insists that it has employed stringent security measures. → May. Reports indicate that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has plans to build a new range of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. These, unconfirmed reports specify that these ICBMs will be capable of carrying the nuclear payloads that North Korea currently posses. The United States confirms that the pull-out of foreign troops from Afghanistan is proceeding as scheduled. The United Kingdom and France confirm that most troops are already en route, returning to their respective countries. The United Kingdom says it has partnered with the Afghani government and will work together to help train and the Afghani army. To this effect it will keep a small number of troops in the area.

→August. Iraq expresses sympathy with Iran over its Nuclear Program and backs Iran’s claim to the right to pursue enrichment programs. Civil war erupts in Djibouti after the ‘Front for the Restoration on Unity and Democracy’ leaves the coalition government. They claim that the ISSA-dominated government has severely curtailed the rights of the people, especially the Afar people of Djibouti. Within days, fighting erupts in the region and the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade is forced to come to the aid of the Government after FRUD attacks on the Legion. The United States 5th fleet is deployed into the area to provide the Djibouti Government with support. Iran, Iraq and Eritrea condemn the United States for its interference without a request from the Djibouti government. The Djibouti government thanks the United States for its support but states that it had the situation under control and was making progress against the FRUD along with assistance of France. → September. Ecuador leaves the OPEC after becoming a net importer of oil. This causes global oil prices to soar to over $200 per barrel. The OPEC narrowly votes to increase oil production in order to reduce global oil prices. Saudi Arabia issues a statement in appreciation of the OPEC decision. Iran and Iraq were reportedly the main opposition to the increase in production levels. → December. Two men report sick to a hospital in Kraków, Czech Republic. They exhibit signs of radiation poisoning and reveal that they had been camping near the Vistulia River, south of Krakow. Upon investigation, the area near the camp site revealed a large amount of previously undiscovered Highly Enriched Uranium, raising concerns over the remnants of Soviet-era nuclear programs in the area and the security threats that they represent. The United States announces that the troop pullout is complete and that it, like the United Kingdom, will also be working with the Afghani government in the future. It also states that there are still some Al-Qaeda encampments near the Afghan-Pakistan border but that these can and will be dealt with.

2016 → January. The United States and Israel carry out a series of training exercises, including what appear to be first-strike practices. The Iranian Government and the Iraqi Government condemn these exercises with the “Zionist Regime in the Occupied Territories”. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Syria also issued statements expressing their support of Iran and Iraq. → February.45 people were taken hostage in Tripoli. They include citizens of the United States , France, Italy, Germany, Algeria and Libya. They were moved across the border into Tunisia, reportedly towards Rjim Maatoug. After 4 days on the road, however, the hostages and the kidnappers disappear reportedly moving across the border into Algeria. Despite intense efforts of both the Algerian and Tunisian forces, the hostages were not located. Finally, two weeks after the kidnapping, the hostages released demands for USD 2 million per hostage and an assurance of their safety. This allowed the Algerian Government to determine the location of the kidnappers. After days of intense negotiations, Italian and United States Special Forces attempted a night-time operation. The operation is later described as a “complete failure” by German officials. According to a video released by the kidnappers the day after, the forces had attempted a pincer movement. The video stated that one arm of the forces had been captured the moment it entered by an ambush, while the other had been defeated in a gunfight lasting 3 hours. There were in total 19 captured and 16 killed. The video then stated that it would require USD 3 million per hostage and USD 5 million per captured soldier. The payment was given in unmarked gold bullion that was sent directly to the kidnappers location and the hostages were released later, arriving at the Algerian – Tunisia border. Neither the terrorists nor the bullion have been located. The Algerian government later severely criticized the decision of the United States, saying that it had undertaken actions without Algerian consent and that it had violated Algeria’s sovereignty. → March. A Hamas attack in the Golan Heights causes an increased deployment of Israeli troops in the area. Israeli officials claim that weapons recovered from the attack are of Iranian origin. Syria demands that these troops be removed from the occupied Syrian territory. In response, Syria cuts the water supply to Majdal Shams breaking a 25-year agreement between the two countries.

→ April. The Iranian Government claims that it has arrested a United States spy who had infiltrated the Nuclear Power Plant at Fordo, twenty miles north of Qom. The United States Government denies the accusation of operating spies in the area. → May. Egypt announces completion of its first Nuclear Reactor. The IAEA confirms that this reactor is only being used for civilian purposes. Iran once again condemns the selectively obstructionist policies of the United States of America. → October. In what is clearly a coordinated strike, large scale bomb attacks take place in Tashkent and Samarkand. It is immediately followed by the large scale movement of troops of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), along with those of Al-Qaeda. The United Nations Security Council authorizes, in accordance with the request of the remaining members of the Uzbeki government the deployment of peacekeeping forces in Uzbekistan and asks for the immediate assistance of Russian and Kazakh forces. The 19th Motor Rifle division along with the 205th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Russian Ground Forces were mobilized into Uzbekistan. → November. Chinese, Russian and Kazakh forces have secured most IMU-controlled cities in Uzbekistan excluding Termez and Bolshevik. The United Nations Security Council reconvened the United Nations Trusteeship Council to decide the status of Uzbekistan. In a special meeting of the Trusteeship Council, Uzbekistan is placed under the control of Russia and Kazakhstan, until peace and security are restored and peaceful elections for an Uzbek government can be conducted. → December. The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea claims that United States Special Forces attempted to forcibly infiltrate the Chungjinsi storage site in the Hamgyong Bukdo (North Hamgyong) Province. The United States denies the accusation. The United States removes the Peoples’ Mujahedin of Iran from its list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations, a move that is strongly criticized by Iran, Iraq and Canada.

2017 → January. Blasts in Kabul kill many members of the Afghani government. Simultaneously, what appears to be an Al-Qaeda – Taliban coalition, strikes at Lahore, capturing Asif Ali Zardari. At the same time, a joint United States – United Kingdom base in Pakistan, located east of Zhob, Camp Zulu is also attacked by members of the coalition. Approximately 700 men are killed in the attack, with reportedly over 200 of them British soldiers. Similar attacks occur at two other United States bases, one located east of Gojra, close to the Indo-Pakistan Border, Camp Papa Quebec and another, south of Bhorita, also close to the same border, Camp Hotel Bravo. The collation quickly takes over Lahore and the area north of Multan, as well the region from Quetta to Layyah. The United States immediately classifies this as an attack against the United States of America and calls upon the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to fulfill Article 5 of its charter, for only the second time in its history. The United States particularly voices the vulnerability of the Kushab Nuclear Complex and the Khan Research laboratories at Kahuta. The United States 5th fleet stations itself just off the coast of Pakistan, near Karachi. → February. Iran and DPRK release statements confirming mutual support for their Nuclear Programs. Iran insists that its nuclear program will be exclusively peaceful. The United States warns that it will blockade the Strait of Hormuz if Iran does not end its enrichment activities. In response, DPRK and Iran announce that they have withdrawn from the NPT. Russia and China release statements confirming their support to Iran and DPRK’s right to operate their sovereign nuclear programs, citing Pakistan, India, and Egypt. Libya and Syria both condemn the United States of America for their interference in the Iranian Nuclear Program. 5 US ships, including two destroyers and the aircraft carrier the USS Enterprise move into Iranian water in the Gulf of Oman. Iran immediately warns the United States of America to remove these ships from Iranian waters. → March. Iran claims that it has shot down an Israeli strike on its nuclear base at Natanz. Iraq claims that it had detected the aircraft while they were midway through Iraqi air space and had alerted Iranian officials. They have been identified as a Lockheed Martin F-16I Sufa and two Boeing F-015I Ra'am aircraft. Iranian officials claim that the F-16I was carrying a low-yield Earth

Penetrating Weapon designed to destroy the facility and minimize the radioactive fallout if detonated. The pilot of one of the F-15I was captured by Iranian forces and taken to a secure facility. Israeli officials have denied that it was a nuclear strike and say they will not be the first to introduce Nuclear weapons to the Middle East. → May. United States forces reach Multan and finally Lahore, and take the city after fierce resistance from the Al-Qaeda Taliban Coalition. However, Geiger Counters taken into one of the Al-Qaeda bases register high radiation counts, sparking concerns that Al-Qaeda may have acquired nuclear material and possibly nuclear arms. The NATO coalition in the area, along with United Nations forces in the area designate their primary targets as Kushab Nuclear Complex and the Kan Research Laboratories. → July. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait leave the OPEC meeting after countries vote not to increase production to reduce global oil prices. The remaining OPEC members warn that countries buying oil from Saudi Arabia or Kuwait will not be welcome to buy oil from the remaining OPEC members. → September. Iran announces the completion of the two enrichment sites that were announced in 2013. It states that its posses’ the capability but that despite the repeated violations of its sovereignty its nuclear program remains peaceful. France and the United States conduct a joint training operation in Djibouti, intended to help train the Djibouti Armed Forces. Eritrea claims that the United States is preparing for a first-strike, a claim which the United States strongly denies. → November. United Kingdom forces reach the Kushab facility. The complex is reportedly empty of all nuclear weapons, though few chemical and biological weapons appear to be present. Little of the original facility is found intact but was retaken only after a fierce gunfight between Al-Qaeda - Taliban and the Western Coalition forces.

2018 → January. A coordinated set of bomb explosions, which Hamas has claimed responsibility for, decimates the Al Saud family. King Abdullah is killed in the attack and the Al ash-Sheik family, head of the Saudi Arabian Ulema assumes control of the country. There are widespread riots. The Al ash-Sheik family invites foreign assistance from the United States to control the riots. The United States deploys troops in the area to assist the Saudi Arabian Military and Police. → February. On the 39th anniversary of the 1979 Iranian revolution, the government of Iran says that it has decided, after due deliberation, to pursue the creation of a nuclear weapon for the sole purpose of nuclear deterrence. It points to India as an example of a country that has been treated with respect by the World Community even though it unilaterally developed nuclear weapons and urges the international community to consider the situation of Iran in the light of the activities of the United States and Israel. Iran says it is grieved to have had to make such a decision. This declaration is supported by Syria, Sudan, Iraq, DPRK, Oman, Libya and Algeria. While the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Egypt have all condemned Iran as have the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Germany and Italy as well as many other western countries. → March. An explosion in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA kills 40 people and injures over a 100. Al-Qaeda claims responsibility for the attacks. The United States of America says that it has uncovered possible links in the Pakistani Government to Al-Qaeda from terrorists involved in planning the attacks. It has also said that the failure of the Pakistani government to implement active anti-terrorist policies has resulted in the security problems. India also states that Pakistan has failed to secure its borders and that it has encouraged insurgency in India in order to regain Kashmir. Pakistan denies the accusations claiming that it has never supported terrorists in any way and that it has attempted to implement strong anti-terrorist measures. → April. Western Coalition forces have pushed back the Taliban and Al-Qaeda troops and have secured the whole of Pakistan except for the border with Afghanistan. There are concerns that the Terrorist Coalition has stocked the nuclear weapons that were stored in the nuclear complexes it captured in that area and has been able to transport them.

→ May. Iranian officials state there has been an attack by the People’s Mujahedin of Iran on residential areas in Tehran but the terrorists were eliminated by the Iranian armed forces. It states that the weapons used were supplied by the United States and that the United States supports the People’s Mujahedin of Iran. The United States accuses the Government of Iran of making baseless accusations. → June. Iran tests its first Nuclear Weapon. It causes a earthquake of 5.3 on the Richter scale. It thanks Iraq, Syria and DPRK for their support. The United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany condemn the testing as having undone many years of efforts from the international community to reduce the proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Iran states that the policies of these Western Governments have been in violation of Iranian sovereignty and have forced Iran to embark on a policy of nuclear deterrence. Israel makes its first open nuclear test, confirming its nuclear capabilities and states that it has been forced to do so and that it has not been the first to introduce nuclear weapons to the Middle East.

End Note – Information on writing the Position Papers

We do realize that it will be a challenging task to write position papers on the

basis of the limited information provided in the timeline.

As a result, we will not be asking you to provide position papers.

Instead you will need to submit response papers. Starting from the events in 2013, you will be required to create your countries stand on each issue

mentioned in the timeline.

Do not create any new facts and simply make statements, from your government, regarding the events. Use your knowledge of relations between

countries in 2012 and proceed from there.

This is your chance to decide the foreign policy of the country that you represent. Remember your blocs, remember your relations and remember the

implications of every event. What you write will form the basis of your country’s foreign policy that you will be expected to adhere to in committee.

The following format is to be followed for writing the Response Paper –

1. Delegate Info:

i) Name: ii) Country: iii) Committee:

2. Agenda: (In this case the crisis)

3. Quotation with reference to the topic

4. Brief Introduction about the agenda at hand

5. Brief Introduction about your country with reference to the agenda

6. How does the agenda at hand affect your country.

7. Your country’s current position on the agenda.

8. Your country’s responses to the events in the timeline.

9. What your country feels will happen if the agenda at hand is not

resolved soon.

10. Bibliography

Rules to be kept in mind while writing the Response Paper

1) It should not exceed one A4 size page for points 1-5. You will be allowed an entire extra A4 page for points 6-9. The Bibliography is not counted in the page limit, it must however be on a separate page.

2) The Bibliography and sources should and must be given at the end of the

paper.

3) It should be typed in font Arial and font size 10, with default margins.

4) All Position Papers must be mailed to the respective Committee Directors at the following Email Id's by 12:00 A.M. (Midnight), 25th June, 2012.

5) There will be no extensions. Late submissions will not be considered for the Best Position Paper Award or any other award, you will not be given a participation certificate.

Further Reading 1) Nuclear weapons programmes of all nations as they stand today.

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/nuke/index.html

2) IAEA http://newmdb.iaea.org/reports.aspx

3) Nuclear weapons and Nuclear enrichment http://www.un.org/disarmament/WMD/Nuclear/

4) Current Situation in Kashmir http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/unmogip/

5) Dokka Umarov http://www.nctc.gov/site/profiles/umarov.html

6) OPEC http://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/

7) Remnants of the USSR nuke programme and the NPT http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2003_12/Bunn

8) NATO http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/index.htm

9) ISAF http://www.isaf.nato.int/

10) US 5th fleet www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/10/us-iran-fleet-idUSBRE8390XM20120410

11) The al soud family - saudi arabia's political system as it stands today https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sa.html

12) USA – National Counterterrorism Center http://www.nctc.gov/site/groups/index.html