A major explosion has just occurred at a hydro-electric power station that runs along the border of Abkhazia and Georgia and in doing so, raises the stakes in an ongoing regional conflict. Unsettled Channels is an 18-hour, 8-party simulation which uses the above scenario to highlight the stages of conflict prevention, conflict management and resolution, and post-conflict reconciliation and reconstruction.
The blast to the the hydroelectric powerstation sparks a resurgence of violence among local conflicting parties. Russia’s close ties to Georgia’s breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia weakens Georgian authority there. The United States supports Georgia’s territorial integrity while Europe seeks to create stability through economic integration. Some primary actors want the incident kept secret out of fear that the local conflict could spill over and escalate tensions between states. The participants will grapple with local issues as well as high politics.
Major themes: Crisis negotiation, deescalation, energy security, energy politics, historical grievances, interests v. positions.