NSA: The Western Army
APPROXIMATE COMMITTEE SIZE: 25 delegates
Led by Yamana Sōzen, the Western Army emerges as the chief rival to Hosokawa’s Eastern Army, supporting the Shogun’s newborn son, Ashikaga Yoshihisa, as the rightful heir. The Western Army is a volatile alliance of ambitious daimyo, rival nobles, and opportunistic power brokers who are all united by opposition to Hosokawa's influence and a desire for power. For the Western Army, the Ōnin War is not only a fight over legitimacy but a chance to expand the Yamana clan's influence in Kyoto and challenge Hosokawa's dominance. Navigating both internal disarray and other powerful factions fighting for the capital, delegates must turn battlefield success into court influence, legitimize the succession under the claim of Ashikaga continuity, and keep its alliance from splintering. In their one chance to upset the existing power structure and establish their own authority, how will delegates beat out the other powers and prevail?
CRISIS MANAGER: aayan ali
CHAIR: amy liu
ISSUES TO CONSIDER
Issue 1: Expand Political Influence: The Western Army enters the conflict not only to defend its position in the succession struggle, but also to use the crisis in Kyoto to strengthen Yamana's influence inside the shogunate court. How can the Western Army transform the crisis into lasting power?
Issue 2: Secure the Succession: The Western Army's position in the succession dispute makes control over the next shogun central to its legitimacy and long-term strategy. How can the Western Army ensure its preferred successor prevails and that the transition is accepted as the rightful continuation of Ashikaga rule?
Issue 3: Maintain Coalition Unity: Because the Western Army depends on a broad alliance of powerful families and regional interests, internal divisions could weaken it even if it gains ground in Kyoto. How can the Western Army keep its coalition united and prevent fractures from undermining its cause?
About the Chair
Amy Liu is a member of the Class of 2027 at Georgetown, majoring in Business and Global Affairs and minoring in Statistics. She is from San Jose, California and has competed in Model UN throughout high school, even competing in NAIMUN in her senior year. This is her fourth year staffing NAIMUN! At Georgetown, Amy is involved with The Corp and Product Space. In her free time, Amy enjoys exploring cafes around DC, photography, and eating too much Chipotle. Amy is excited to be your chair and bring this NSA to life!
About the Crisis manager
Aayan Ali is a member of Georgetown’s Walsh School of Foreign Service and McDonough School of Business Class of 2028, studying finance and international economics as a part of the joint-degree Business and Global Affairs program. Originally from the Windy City, he first got involved in Model UN in his second year of high school. He was the Director of Programming for NCSC LIII and the Crisis Manager for NAIMUN’s White House Situation Room. When he’s not watching sports or scrolling Twitter, you can often see him going for an iced coffee or playing MarioKart with his friends. On campus, he is a consultant for Product Space, a professional club, and will be a research assistant for a financial economics project. Equipped with his Bears merch and excitement for history, Aayan is thrilled to chair the Western Army! Talk to him about AI, your next stock pick, or a random election in the world that you’re following.