Not Your Average Pyramid Scheme: The Cabinet of Muhammad ‘Ali, 1826
Muḥammad ʿAlī, an Albanian native, ruled Egypt from 1805 to 1848 as the historical father of modern-day Egypt (and of his 95 kids!). However, in 1826, Egypt is still under the control of the Ottoman Empire—much to the dismay of Ali, whose lofty goals of gaining sovereignty, instating hereditary role, and expanding the Egyptian empire are nowhere near achieved.
So far, Alī has been successful in his conquest of Sudan, and recently sparked an Arabic literary renaissance centered around Cairo. However, in order to successfully exit the Empire, Alī has to build up Egypt’s society, military, and government by streamlining the economy, building a modern military force, and training a professional bureaucracy. Moreover, as the Ottoman Empire forces Ali’s hand in a Greco-Ottoman War, delegates must protect the Egyptian navy, stand up to the Ottomans, and, if done well, gain territory in divided Greece. The path to independent statehood will not be easy!
It’s up to delegates to determine what comes next — will the Cabinet of Muḥammad ʿAlī rewrite history, gain territory abroad, and establish a strong Egyptian government free from Ottoman influence? Or will warring ideas, factions, and leaders undermine and wipe out Egypt's quest for independence, leaving the budding nation trapped within the Ottoman Empire? The cards have been dealt, delegates. The next move is on you.
Chair:
Andy Xu Sofia
Andy Xu Sofia is a member of the Walsh School of Foreign Services class of 2026, majoring in International Political Economy with a minor in Global Development. He was born and raised in Berlin, Germany, and then moved to Singapore, Beijing, and Shanghai. Andy is proud to have competed on Georgetown’s MUN travel team. He started as a crisis analyst at NCSC, served as Under Secretary General of Regionals, and will now be a chair. On campus, Andy can be found studying outside the HFSC looking at the Potomac. He the president of the GU European Club, inviting exciting speakers to come on campus and organizing embassy trips. In his free time you can find Andy going on runs, listening to German new wave, and finding tasty food. Andy is beyond excited to be part of NCSC 52 and looks forward to seeing everyone!
Crisis Manager:
Anjali Ramesh
Anjali Ramesh (she/her) is a member of Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service Class of 2026 from Pleasanton, California. She is studying International Political Economy (Andy copied her) with a minor in History and a certificate in International Business Diplomacy. Anjali has a love-hate relationship with Model UN, but she’s had a great time competing on the collegiate circuit since her freshman year and serves as a member of the Georgetown Model United Nations Team’s Conferences Staff. Outside of Model UN, Anjali is interested in sustainable global finance and trade — she tutors local high school students in financial literacy and is an analyst for Georgetown Impact Investing Group. She also leads students on first-year retreats outside of Georgetown and works on the digital platform team for a feminist zine! In her free time, you can find Anjali making travel plans, looking for fun WBA, and watching amateur theater productions.
USG: Anna Kelly
This committee is in the Cabinets Organ, and your Under-Secretary General is Anna Kelly. Committees in this organ are small, fast-paced crises.
If you have any questions about your committee, please reach out to a.kelly@modelun.org.