After Action Report: 2011 ISP Crisis Simulation on an Independent Kurdistan
1. Prefer the smaller team size (3 people)
2. Game changers, intels, leaks added to the process; kept things moving
3. Cheers to the gas masks.
4. Game changers worked well because they weren’t too far-fetched. Announcements helped make sure everyone was on the same page.
5. Actions by actors outside of the group were frustrating because there was no party to negotiate with.
6. Contradictory information in packets (i.e., objective facts, maps, Articles in constitutions, etc.) were unhelpful. Not a reference to intel reports, which—for obvious reasons—would be different.
7. Better if there were an initial shock to start off the scenario, because it was difficult for team Kurdistan to defend its position and negotiate with allies.
8. Blog/email system worked.
9. Next time: maps of troops’ initial position (with gas masks) would be helpful.
10. One common map would also be helpful.
11. Realism: the sticking point preventing a negotiated solution, and the interaction between teams.
12. Natural urge is to act as conflict mediator; reinforcing the goal of the exercise as achieving national objectives (vs. resolving the conflict) would be helpful.
a. Include things like civilian casualties in objectives.
13. Outcome was realistic (i.e. stalemate?)
14. Regional for a to discuss issues and facilitate multilateral negotiations would be helpful
15. Designate positions within teams beforehand? Include personality info in packets.
16. Constraints are helpful, especially on offensive actions and making the sharing of intel reports result in the suspension of additional intelligence on that country.
17. Team Iran did best job of exploiting press leaks to shape international environment in their favor.
18. Have separate blog/email address to keep track of backroom deals. OR in final move announce the secret deals you made that you intend to keep to.
19. Next time make initial announcement about tools available to teams:
a. Press Releases: Your government’s official position; whatever you want to say goes
b. Leaks (anonymous): Must meet control team criteria (i.e., there must be a reason why they are anonymous; the actions pertain only to your team; no disinformation; must be realistic)
c. Intel Reports: If you share with other teams or use them in your leaks/press releases, you no longer have the option of receiving intelligence from that source.
20. WINNER: Team Iran
a. Achieved 3.5 of their objectives (increasing regional hegemony, preventing domestic Kurdish uprisings in Iran, avoiding influx of Kurdish refugees from military conflict); no point deductions.
b. #2 – Team Iraq – achieved stalemate, scheduled referendum to settle Kirkuk question
c. #3 – Team Kurdistan – prevented mil. intervention, esp. in Kirkuk; getting int’l recognition;
d. #4 – USA – prevented war (Turkish invasion); staved off internal Iraqi violence;
e. #5 – Turkey – achieved one objective, but had 2 time penalties; stalemate does not equal preventing Kurdish independence “at all costs;”
