On October 7 and 8, Patterson School students participated in the International Strategic Crisis Negotiation Exercise, hosted by the Center for Strategic Leadership at the United States Army War College. This year's scenario was the South China Sea. 

The crisis in question was the present-day crisis over the conflicting claims in the South China Sea. Countries with interests in this region and involved in the negotiations were China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, the United States, and Vietnam. The United Nations were represented by a Special Representative (UNSR) to the region to monitor developments, mediate negotiations and discussions, and report findings.

William Lucht, current first-year Patterson School student majoring in Security and Intelligence, discusses his observation of the negotiation exercise: 

"First, the structure and support staff including faculty and the Army War college created a warm professional setting, which set the mood and placed into motion the simulation. While the simulation felt fun and safe to make mistakes, the faculty and support staff really did a good job placing an air of seriousness which led teams to try hard to come to realistic diplomatic solutions.

Second, in honoring the spirit of an international program like the one here at Patterson, the South China Sea scenario was complex, interesting, but more importantly relevant. 

Third, teams made mistakes, made marginal successes, and I felt that most students felt a sense of struggle which pushed them to learn and appreciate the complexities of diplomatic efforts.

Last, time constraints added a mood of urgency in drafting papers for bilateral and multilateral agreements. This again pushed students to work together and work in a fast-moving ever-changing diplomatic setting.

Overall, a very fun experience which fostered a significant amount of intellectual growth."

Mr. Ed "Cliffy" Zukowski, ISCNE Program Director at the Center for Strategic Leadership, U.S. Army War College, said this was the 12th ISCNE conducted at the Patterson School since October 2010. The Patterson School is the oldest, continuous relationship with any program. He said "This year's exercise was a lot of fun. The students got into their roles immediately and debated the issues surrounding the South China Sea. There was even a little controversy near the end that always make for an interesting event. Overall, the Army War College loves bringing the ISCNE to Lexington and look forward to next year."