When I headed towards Bosler today for some quality time with the MEPP simulation, frankly, I'd already determined that I'd only spend x amount of time there. Though I initially set that limit due to general time constraints, my ultimately determination to stick to it was more for the sake of preventing myself from getting really sucked in - while it'd be a worthwhile experience, a.I can't really afford to lose such a large chunk of my day, and b.it'd drive me insane.... mostly b.
Having perused some other posts from those who have already played and gathered that the playing as the Palestinian leader might be more fruitful, I opted to "ease" myself in by going with that - and I use the word "ease" very, very lightly... more like a dull thud (as opposed to the ruckus that would ensue as Israeli PM). In other words, while I was minorly successful, playing as the Palestinian was just the beginning of an hour of frustration, annoyed thoughts of "What the hell? Why would you do that?" and, ultimately, embittered smirks and chuckles as, not surprisingly, someone took a step backwards for every two steps I took forward - or, when less successful, two steps back for every one step forward. This, of course, was increased as Israeli PM, as the reactions were drastically higher on all sides than they'd been to the Palestinian leader. My guess for the reasoning there? The Israeli PM is very much in the limelight, is (understandably) considered to have a greater responsibility and authority (at least in his own government, theoretically), and, frankly/perhaps, is held to higher expectations by the international community.
As others have noted, we were given fewer choices of action as the Palestinian leader than as the Israeli PM, for better or worse.... interestingly, though, playing as the Israeli PM did not allow us options like initiating joint training or joint patrol, which we did have as a Palestinian. I was intrigued - and somewhat annoyed, really - to find the Israeli list of options lacking this potential cooperation. Another note on such matters: while the Palestinian player had the interesting option to "thank" the Israelis, come to think of it, I don't recall the Israelis having the option to commend Palestinian actions or to apologize (which the Palestinian didn't do either, though I did once receive an Israeli apology); both actions, of course, would have had drastic reactions on either side (as did most other actions as PM), but it was interesting to find that they weren't even given as options.
My results, in short: some notable progress as the Palestinian leader, though it seemed at times that I could've played forever and seen neither serious progress nor serious destruction (not enough to enforce a Lustick-style peace, anyways); start of the Third Intifada as the Israeli PM and continued back-and-forth nonsense. Realistic, I'd say. There was one feature of the simulation outcomes, though, that inspired a smirk on my part- "Are you sure you want to quit? All progress would be lost." In terms of the game, sure. When applied to the point of the game itself, though, this is, of course, inaccurate - while we always start over with a blank slate in the simulation, not so in reality, where everything is tainted by previous experience, for better or for worse. You go into arguments after having made some small progress in the past and hoping to continue that path, and/or with cynicism, knowing what(/who) has fallen through in the past, etc.
Ultimately, as has been alluded to, the experience was an incredibly frustrating one - fitting, as a reminder of the realities of governing and diplomacy- and something I'll have to get back to when I have more time to allow it the top spot on my priority list - which sentiment, by the way, made me chuckle as I found myself sympathizing with the Israelis, who are attempting to balance their priorities (note: Iran) and assign focus in deciding how time, efforts, and resources could be spent most fruitfully. Really, I could sit and play at being the Israeli PM all day, but I'd be driven mad with frustration and I'd lose a lot of time and (virtual) resources for nearly paltry results.
*So as not to end this on such a terribly grim note: as noted, I do not think that with the end of each attempt, we're left with nothing - sometimes it's worse, sometimes it's better, though I'd prefer to think we come out with more of the latter. The frustration is, ideally, a matter of the short-term. Another recent blog about the game suggested that there are numerous ways to a peace solution, and I hope it's safe to agree with him. The trouble is to just find one of them without destroying ourselves in the process, eh?
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