Topic Summary

In recent decades, the Middle East has seen the rapid rise of armed non-state actors—militias, political movements, and insurgent groups that operate with military capabilities outside the traditional framework of state authority. Groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip have established themselves as influential players, not only on the battlefield but in regional politics. Their access to sophisticated weapons, funding, and strategic support—often facilitated by foreign state sponsors such as Iran, Russia, and the United States—has made them powerful actors in proxy conflicts. These developments have raised serious concerns about the flow of arms, the erosion of state sovereignty, and the destabilizing effects of militarized non-state groups in already volatile regions.

The goal of this committee is to evaluate how the international community can respond to the growing power of these actors. Delegates will explore strategies to regulate arms transfers, curb external state involvement, and prevent the escalation of proxy warfare. Particular attention will be given to the challenges of enforcing international law, coordinating intelligence efforts, and promoting regional stability without undermining national autonomy. As INTERPOL, we will also examine how international policing networks can play a role in tracking weapons trafficking, disrupting illicit funding, and facilitating cooperation among member states to address this evolving threat.

Director’s Letter

Dear delegates,

My name is Nichole Tirado Hidalgo, and I am delighted to be your director for this year's International Criminal Police Organization! I am currently a sophomore at the College concentrating in Government with a focus on American politics and a sub concentration in Religion. I am from the great state of New Jersey, having grown up near the Rutgers area.

Throughout my four years of high school, I was deeply involved in Model UN, participating both as a delegate and later as an advisor to our team. During my first three years, I served in General Assembly and ECOSOC committees, representing countries in the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND).

At Harvard, I’ve continued my involvement in Model UN as a staffer for both HMUN and HNMUN. This past year, I had the privilege of serving as an Assistant Director for the Historic General Assembly at HMUN and for the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) at HNMUN.

While this is my first year directing INTERPOL, I want to offer a bit of advice: success in this committee doesn’t come from knowing everything—it comes from being specific in your resolutions and learning how to collaborate effectively with others. If you can do that, you’ll go far. With that being said, I’m excited to see how you tackle this topic throughout the weekend!

If you have any questions or thoughts before the conference, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’d love to hear from you. INTERPOL is a dynamic and fast-paced committee, but above all, it’s a space to learn, collaborate, and challenge yourself. The most impactful moments in Model UN happen when delegates bring both clarity and curiosity to the table. I’m excited to see where your ideas take us, and I can’t wait to meet you all in committee!

Signing off,

Nichole Tirado

Director, International Criminal Police Organization

interpol@hnmun.org