Welcome to NCSC XXXVII and the Summit on Turkish Statehood! My name is Mariya Vaksman, and I will be your chair for this outstanding conference. I am a member of the class of 2010 in Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service, studying International Economics, and pursuing a Certificate in Latin American Studies. International relations have always been a passion of mine, and I have been involved in Model UN and debate since I was a freshman in high school. Outside of NCSC, I serve as the Vice President of Trading for the Georgetown University Student Investment Fund, and I intern at Georgetown’s Endowment. I was born in Gomel, Belarus, and I now live in Fair Lawn, NJ.
I am also quite excited to introduce our impressive staff. Our Crisis Manager, Adam Kemal, is a member of the class of 2010 in Georgetown’s College, studying History and Government. He brings to this committee a wealth of knowledge of the Turkish Republic, having spent much of his time studying the destruction of Ottoman Turkey during his time abroad at Oxford. Our Vice-Chair will be Annie Rogove, a member of the class of 2010 in the School of Foreign Service, studying International History and pursuing a Certificate in International Business Diplomacy.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk proclaimed the Republic of Turkey on October 29, 1923. The Republic swiftly moved away from its dynastic and theocratic Ottoman past, as Atatürk thrust the country through a legal, cultural, and political transformation. His stature as a national hero from the Turkish War of Independence gave him the ability to overrule the many factions that opposed his plans to forge a modern, secular Republic of Turkey. The intensity of this opposition became apparent when, in 1926, a plot to assassinate Atatürk was uncovered.
What if the attempt on Atatürk’s life had succeeded?
Our committee will grapple with the power vacuum that would result had Mustafa Kemal Atatürk been assassinated in 1926. Since Atatürk was clearly central to the creation of Turkey as we know it, be assured that our committee is embarking upon a path whose outcome is anything but clear. Now, the newborn Republic of Turkey must secure its borders and decide its fate, all without the determination of a national hero whose single-handed efforts would forever change the face of Turkish society.
You are the prominent forces of Turkey at this turbulent time. You will have to deal with issues of statehood, foreign policy, modernization, and religion (as well as various crises that may come your way). I am very excited to examine the role of this fascinating figure with you and to simulate what will surely be an interesting situation. Further information will come in the background guide, which you will all need to read to learn about your roles and our agenda. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me. I look forward to meeting you in the fall.
Hoya Saxa!
Mariya Vaksman
Chair, Assassination of Ataturk: Turkish Statehood, 1926
mv232@georgetown.edu
