The Room Where It Happens: The White House Situation Room, 2026

APPROXIMATE COMMITTEE SIZE: 25 delegates

The White House Situation Room (WHSR) is a watch-and-alert center located in the West Wing of the White House, serving as the hub for U.S. intelligence and national security decision-making. Delegates are tasked with synthesizing intelligence from across the government and producing “blue” pages”—concise briefs (in the form of Directives) highlighting critical global issues and recommending possible U.S. responses. In this simulation, the WHSR will act as the nerve center for all contemporary crisis committees, providing delegates with a comprehensive, real-time view of multiple, simultaneous global crises — all taking place in 2025. Drawing on updates primarily from the Press Corps embedded in each Contemporary Crisis committee, WHSR delegates must assess, prioritize, and recommend actionable strategies to the president. Unlike traditional crisis committees that often feature opposing roles or national interests, WHSR delegates all work toward a shared objective: advancing the best interests of the United States. While each delegate may represent a distinct strategic perspective, the emphasis is on collaboration, consensus-building, and crafting coherent, multi-issue policy recommendations. This realistic, non-polarized structure mirrors how high-level decisions are made in practice — where navigating competing interests, limited resources, and the need for compromise are essential skills.

CHAIR: Rebecca zhu

ISSUES TO CONSIDER

Topics will be based on pressing updates from contemporary crisis committees

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• The ability to prioritize and manage simultaneous crises across a scope of themes, issues and contexts.

• Collaborate in a unified decision-making body that reflects the functioning of a real life political and governmental scenario.

• Navigate strategic perspectives and compromise in order to accurately and efficiently deal with realistic political trade-offs. 

About the Chair

Rebecca Zhu is a member of Georgetown University’s School of Health Class of 2026 majoring in Health Care Management & Policy on the Policy Analysis track. Rebecca is a proud Marylander and DMV local. She was first introduced to Model UN in middle school and the two have been inseparable ever since. Rebecca previously served as Under-Secretary-General of General Assemblies for NAIMUN LXI. She has also chaired for NAIMUN’s sister conferences, NCSC (collegiate) and DistrictMUN (middle school). Outside of Model UN, Rebecca enjoys debating with the Philodemic Society, being the photographer friend, and writing her heart out in cafes while on the hunt for DC’s best London Fog. Rebecca competed in Presidential Cabinet crises as a high school delegate, so she’s incredibly excited to bring the White House Situation Room to NAIMUN LXIII!

About the Crisis manager

Aayan Ali is an enthusiastic member of the Walsh School of Foreign Service class of 2028. He is pursuing a major in International Political Economy and he is from Chicago! He is interested in trade and global business policy, history, philosophy (with enough caffeine), elections and science. Aayan is in his fifth year of MUN, and he’s no stranger to rhetorical activities, having competed in policy debate throughout high school and participating in the Philonomosian Society at Georgetown. Aayan also serves as Director of Programming for NCSC, Georgetown’s collegiate conference, where he is excited to share his love of DC’s embassies and museums, as well as his affinity for house and rave music. To add, he is part of Georgetown’s chapter of Kappa Alpha Pi, researches US space policy for an on-campus club, and was a contestant on Georgetown’s rendition of Survivor. For fun, he hangs out with friends, goes to the gym, plays cards, and watches football and basketball.