Motion Bank · By topic

War, Security & Terrorism debate motions (page 2)

Page 2 of 6: 200 more war, security & terrorism motions, covering 2017 to 2020. Start at the newest war, security & terrorism motions, or search the whole bank from the motion explorer.

2020 (97 motions)

  • This House believes that the Mexican government should adopt measures that enable one cartel to monopolise the drug market. (These measures can include but are not limited to: targeting enemy cartels; selective arrests; stopping military deployments to areas controlled by this cartel; and renouncing the headhunt on its current leaders.)

    Thailand WUDC 2020 · 5

  • TH, as the Pakistan Army, would support the Musharraf verdict

    LUMS IV 2020 · Open_Final

  • TH prefers the US modernizing its military at the cost of reducing its military size

    Asia E-Debate Challenge · 3

  • Assuming feasibility, THW create sovereign states for each major religion, and offer citizenship to anyone who professes to be a part of that religion

    Asia E-Debate Challenge · Open_Semi

  • This House Believes That all countries should implement legislation similar to the US Defense Production Act to combat the Covid-19 pandemic

    Central European Cyberspace Open · Open_Final

    Info slide

    The Defense production Act authorises the President of the US to: invoke wage and price controls, requisiton property, require corporations to accepts and prioritize contracts for service and materials deemed necessary to aid national defense and to force industry to expand production and the supply of necessary resources.

  • THBT Muslim states should sever political and economic ties with India until the repeal of the Citizenship Amendment Act

    Eastern Online IV · 3

    Info slide

    The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is a law that was passed in 2019 by the Parliament of India. The law provides a path to Indian citizenship for undocumented migrants of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian religious minorities, who had fled from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan before December 2014. Muslims from those countries were not given such eligibility. Critics of the Act express concerns that the law will be used, in combination with the new National Register of Citizens, to render many Muslim citizens of India stateless, as they may be unable to meet stringent birth or identity proof requirements.

  • THBT western liberal democracies should criminalize and permanently disavow private military contractors

    Eastern Online IV · ESL_Final

  • This House Would violate the ceasefire and kill the leaders

    Trinity Online Open 2020 · ProAm_Final

    Info slide

    You are a Western Liberal democracy in a four-year long brutal and bloody war of attrition against an imperialistic dictatorship. Every Christmas, there is a football match between the two sides and a ceasefire. Attending the match are high ranking political and military persons of both sides.

  • THBT attacks on non-combatants involved in war activities are a legitimate strategy in war

    Tilbury House Online Open 2020 · 3

    Info slide

    For the purposes of this debate, a non-combatant involved in war activities is an individual who is part of the armed forces or actively works as part of the armed forces supply or support chains, but who does not take part in combat operations. Examples of non-combatants include medics, chaplains, individuals working in arms manufacturing and intelligence officers.

  • THBT militaries should prioritize spending on cyber security over physical security

    Circuit Breaker Debate Open · Open_Quarters

  • THR the widespread use of war-like terminology by world leaders in combating the COVID-19 pandemic

    Axiom Debate Open 2020 · Open_Final

  • THW ban privately contracting the services of superheroes by individuals or companies

    Cyberpunk IV · 4

    Info slide

    People with superpowers exist. Some are born mutants (like Mystique) some are wonders of technology (like Batman) some are a result of genetic engineering and/or transformation (like the Hulk)

  • THBT the attacks by Palestinians on civilians actively supporting the Israeli government (politicians, businessmen, etc.) are justified ways of fighting for independence.

    Astana Debate Union Open 2020 · 4

  • TH would nationalize all nationally systemically important financial institutions

    Astana Debate Union Open 2020 · 8

    Info slide

    A nationally systemically important financial institution is a bank or an insurance company that is large and has significant importance in the national economy. A failure of such an institution might trigger a financial crisis ('too big to fail").

  • THBT the U.S. Federal Reserve should purchase equities (i.e., buy stocks)

    Evodio Online Open · Open_Quarters

    Info slide

    U.S. Federal Reserve announced in March 2020 that it would buy investment-grade corporate bonds to guarantee liquidity in the corporate bond market. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the Fed has also brought interest rates to near-zero, purchased massive amounts of government-backed securities (e.g., U.S. Treasuries), and extended loans directly to state and municipal governments.

  • THBT Muslim majority states should not perform the hajj until Saudi Arabia and its allies withdraw from Yemen

    Restricted Mara Open · 3

  • THBT it is in Mahathir's interest to cede leadership of the Opposition to Anwar Ibrahim

    Restricted Mara Open · Open_Final

  • THBT Israel should adopt the Corpus Seperatum plan

    Imperial IV · 2

    Info slide

    Corpus Seperatum was a suggested UN plan for Jerusalem. According to the plan, the city would be placed under demilitarized international regime controlled by the UN, and offer free access to both Israelis and Palestinians.

  • THBT universities should establish "dangerous spaces"

    Imperial IV · Open_Final

    Info slide

    "Dangerous spaces" refer to formal spaces in university campuses where all university protocol governing speech does not apply, so long as the speech produced is not disseminated to individuals outside such spaces

  • TH prefers, as a means of enrolling people in the army, conscription by lottery rather than aggressive recruitment of volunteers

    St Petersburg Online Open · Open_Semi

  • THBT Batman should abolish his no kill rule

    ASDO 2020 · 3

  • TH, as Saudi Arabia, would advocate for Yemen to be split to three countries; South Yemen led by al-Zubaidi STC, Yemen led by Abd Rabbuh Al-Hadi and North Yemen led by Houthi

    Debate for Donation Open · Open_Final

    Info slide

    There are multiiple players in the Yemen conflict. The biggest ones are: The Houthi rebels, who opposses the Yemen government has taken over Yemen capital Sana'a and are backed by Iran. The Yemen Government who is led by Abd Rabbuh Al-Hadi are recorgnized internationally and is backed by Saudi Arabi. The Southern Transitional Coucil also known as STC, led by al-Zubaidi they have declared self rule in Southern Yemen and are also backed by United Arab Emirates.

  • THR the Heroisation of Covid-19 Frontliners.

    Borneo Online Debate Championship · Novice2_Final

  • In asymmetric warfare, THBT it is a legitimate tactic for the significantly weaker side to target enemy civilian

    Sumatra Online Debate Open 2020 · 4

  • THBT stock markets should freeze the sale of publicly-exchanged stocks on the secondary market during pandemics

    Lord Discup's Cup 2020 · 2

    Info slide

    The secondary market refers to stocks which are sold by individuals to one another. This is in contrast to stocks sold on the primary market, where businesses issue stocks to raise capital. The secondary market includes most major stock exchanges such as the NASDAQ and New York Stock Exchange.

  • THS the "Kingpin" strategy in combatting drug cartels

    Lord Discup's Cup 2020 · Open_Quarters

    Info slide

    The Kingpin Strategy was employed by the Mexican government and focused on targetting and hunting down leaders of drug cartels in an effort to topple them.

  • In times of crisis, where tradeoff is inevitable, THBT states should prioritise safety over freedom.

    India Debate Open AP 2020 · 2

  • THO Arab nationalism

    An Najah Arabic Novice Online Debates · Open_Final

    Info slide

    Arab nationalism is a nationalist ideology that asserts the Arabs are a nation and promotes the unity of Arab people, celebrating the glories of Arab civilization, the language and literature of the Arabs, calling for rejuvenation and political union in the Arab world.

  • That it is illegitimate for states to limit immigration unless there is a clear threat to national security.

    Monash Australs 2020 · EFL_Semi

  • In times of economic crises, THBT the government should withhold information that is likely to damage market confidence.

    KCL Online Open 2020 · 5

  • You are the ruler of a militaristic Greek city state. The Archameid empire has invaded mainland Hellas, if they are successful, your state will be subjugated. The other city states are in disarray and cannot decide on how to respond. You know that there is no chance of victory alone. That you should march against the Persian threat.

    Jurassic IV 2020 · 3

  • That in times of extraordinary economic or social crisis, we should temporarily close financial markets.

    Jurassic IV 2020 · 4

  • THBT the United States should leave Iraq

    Macquarie Open 2020 · Open_Quarters

  • That states should opt to implement the Hannibal Directive in dealing with their soldiers captured by terrorists.

    2020 Commonwealth Debating Championship · Open_Final

    Info slide

    For the purpose of this debate, the aim of the Hannibal Directive is for the state to kill their own soldiers who are captured by terrorists.

  • That, as a religious organization, we would perform final duas for known terrorists.

    2020 Commonwealth Debating Championship · Open_Final

  • THR the characterization of large scale policy reforms against social vices as wars For example --'combating'

    Cross Deb Soc Practice Tournament Ed. 1 · 2

  • TH, as Likud, W support and adopt the Jewish People's Intelligence Services Doctrine.

    Taylor's Debate Open · 4

    Info slide

    The Jewish People's Intelligence Services Doctrine states that: The Jewish People's Intelligence Services should have a significant responsibility not only to Israeli citizens' security, but also to the security of Jewish communities abroad. If this doctrine were adopted, Israel would use significant resources and launch potentially violent covert operations in order to keep Jewish people safe internationally.

  • Assuming feasibility exists and with benefit of hindsight, TH as USA would go back in time and choose not to invade Afghanistan.

    Link Bate Championship III · Open_Semi

    Info slide

    Post the 9-11 terror attacks in the US, the US government retaliated by launching the War on Terror and invaded Afghanistan.

  • THBT the UK should adopt a federal statehood structure which establishes regions and large counties as states

    Manchester IV 2020 · 2

  • THW grant amnesty to members of drgu gangs operating in violent areas if gang leaders end all turf wars

    Saskatoon WSDC 2020 · 3

    Info slide

    Amnesty is an official pardon to an individual. This pardon prevents them from being prosecuted for a specific crime or set of crimes and releases them from prior criminal punishment for these specific crimes.

  • THBT all control of disputed religious sites should be ceded to the UN

    Saskatoon WSDC 2020 · Open_Final

  • THBT the West should place a ban on providing military aid to authoritatian regimes

    East Coast Asians · 4

  • THR the continuation of NATO after the dissolution of the USSR

    MIDP Round Robin 2020 · 2

  • THW ban the use of fully autonomous weapons in warfare

    MonDO 2020 · 1

  • THW significantly restrict military recruitment in impoverished areas.

    MonDO 2020 · Open_Quarter

  • THBT US Senators who approved (in confidential briefings) the CIA's use of enhanced interrogation (waterboarding, sleep deprivation, exposure to low temperatures for extended periods etc.) should be tried for war crimes

    Taiwan Online Debate Open · Open_Octa

  • TH, as the Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front, would ally itself with the Pakistani government to push back against abrogation of Article 370 by the Indian government

    Yale NUS Pro Ams 2020 · Open_Semi

    Info slide

    Jammu & Kashmir is the Indian held territory of occupied Kashmir. Azad Kashmir is the Pakistan held territory of Occupied Kashmir. In 2019, the Indian government abrogated Article 370A of the constitution, revoking Kashmir's status as an autonomous region. A few weeks ago, ahead of the one-year anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370A, the Pakistan government published a new official map of the country which marks the Indian-held part of Kashmir as disputed territory (thus rejecting the Indian government's abrogation of 370A). The Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) is a political organisation active in both Pakistan-administered and Indian-administered Kashmir. It is a militant organization. Even though the JKLF has only Muslim members, it is notionally secular. It continues to assert that a secular, independent Kashmir free of both India and Pakistan is its eventual goal.

  • THS the use of the Hannibal Directive in combatting terrorist organisations

    Tilbury House Online Open 2.0 · Open_Quarter

    Info slide

    The Hannibal Directive is a military order instructing soldiers to attempt to kill their fellow combatants if they are being captured. The policy is intended to be used as a last resort in situations where avoiding capture is considered impossible.

  • That we regret the decline of secular Pan-Arab nationalism

    Karachi Debate Open · Novice_Final

    Info slide

    Secular Pan-Arab Nationalism is an ideological movement that asserts the view that Arabs constitute a single nation. With popularity reaching its height during the 1950s and 1960s, advocates of Pan-Arabism have often espoused socialist principles and strongly opposed western political involvement in the Arab world. It has focused on the creation of an Arab national identity on secular and nationalist grounds rather than on grounds of religion. Prominent leaders included Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, and Hafez Al-Nasser of Syria.

  • THO the utilization of the Splinternet by governments

    The Halycon Debates · 2

    Info slide

    The Splinternet, also known as "cyber-balkanization" or "Internet Nationalism", is a concept of the internet where the Internet is segregated into regions or countries. The reason why countries are opting into the Splinternet vary. One of the biggest examples of the Splinternet is the "Great Firewall of China"

  • THW ban the development and public access to memorial bots

    The Halycon Debates · 5

    Info slide

    Memorial bots are AI chat bots being developed to preserve the consciousness of an individual that has died. The bot is infused with all of an individual's digital interactions (social media posts, texts, etc.) to analyze speech patterns, thoughts, memories and emotion patterns. The bot is then able to serve as a stand-in for conversations through personality-based texting, making it able to respond to messages as if the dead individual was personally writing and sending the messages.

  • Assuming feasibility, THBT the Philippine government should impose mandatory COVID-19 vaccination.

    42nd Mindanao Parliamentary Debate Championship · Open_Final

  • THR Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's military response to Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) aggression

    Visayas Debate Open · Open_Semi

    Info slide

    Abiy Ahmed is the current Prime Minister of Ethiopia and was preceded by a heavily autocratic government. In his campaign and platform, he strongly advocated for peace in Ethiopia and political stability. He presided over the release of thousands of political prisoners, promised to to amend previous draconion policies and was awarded a Nobel Peace Price for his work in ending Ethiopia's long-running border dispute with neighbouring Eritrea.

  • THBT opposition parties in India should begin actively opposing the anti-Muslim policies of the BJP

    Visayas Debate Open · Open_Semi

  • THBT the state should hold binding national referendums on major peace agreements.

    IIUM Debate Open · 2

    Info slide

    For the purpose of this debate, a major agreement refers to a proposed resolution between governments and non-state actors such as terrorist organizations and insurgent groups to put an end to domestic conflict.

  • THBT complete human liberty can only be achieved absent the state

    IIUM Debate Open · Open_Semi

  • Once a pandemic has been declared, THW ban all reporting on the pandemic from non-governmental sources

    TIB-JUDO Pre Eminence · Open_Final

  • TH, as fans of the club, supports an imminent takeover by the Saudi Arabian Delegated Treasury Agency.

    Birmingham ESL · 3

    Info slide

    There is a professional sports club of a city in Western Europe which has a long history of success but is currently struggling. A group of investors, led by Saudi Arabia's sovereign investment fund, the Delegated Treasury Agency, launched a bid to purchase the club. DelTA has almost £200bln under management, with multiple times the resources of any other sports club owners.

  • This House Believes That all countries should impose mandatory military conscription

    Deree Invitational · 1

  • Assuming it could be done instantly, THW remove all nuclear weapons and the capacity to build them from the current world

    Cambridge IV · Novice_Final

  • TH would prefer a maximum of 5 overseas players in a squad instead of 4 currently.

    La Liberta · 3

    Info slide

    Indian Premier League (IPL) is proposed to bring 2 more franchises as a part of IPL 2021, which would require the BCCI to have a mega auction before the start of the next season. However, this proposal has led to concerns from many Franchises about the depleted quality of squads in the next season due to the same set of players being traded. Supposing that IPL 2021 is a 10-team tournament instead of 8 teams,

  • THS the creation of armed forces units made up of foreign soldiers based on political interests, with such units being under the direct control of the government

    La Liberta · 4

    Info slide

    The Special Frontier Force (SFF) is an Indian special force meant to be exclusively made up of Tibetian soldiers. Its main goal originally was to conduct covert operations behind Chinese lines in the event of another Sino-Indian War. Throughout its history, SFF has fought in India's major external wars including the Bangladesh Liberation War and the Kargil War. It has also acted in internal security, including taking part in Operation Blue Star (Counter Terrorist Operation that took place at the Golden Temple against Sikh extremists) and serving as the "Personal Force" of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to suppress opposition parties during the state of emergency from 1975 to 1977.

  • THR the De-Ba'athification of Iraq's military.

    La Liberta · 4

    Info slide

    De-Ba'athification refers to a policy undertaken in Iraq by the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) and subsequent Iraqi governments to remove the Ba'ath Party's influence in the new Iraqi political system. This was done by removing every Ba'ath party member from each government institution. All members of the Iraqi military were mandated to join the Ba'ath party under Saddam's rule

  • TH, as the INC at the onset of World War 1, will violently revolt against the British colonizers instead of accepting the offer

    La Liberta · 5

    Info slide

    The Indian National Congress (INC) had been trying to gain a say in local governance under the British Rule through cooperation during the earlier part of the Indian Independence Movement. This was done mostly through non-violent means. When WW1 erupted, the British promised the INC limited representation in exchange of help in the war efforts.

  • THBT non-autocratic states with compulsory military service should allow individuals to exempt themselves on moral grounds.

    Nijmegen Online Open · 4

  • This House believes that in post-conflict societies, the national government should actively attempt to recruit militias and insurgency groups into the national military over attempting to quash them.

    Sydney Mini · Open_Semi

  • Assuming feasibility, This House believes that the Holy Kaaba should be under the custody/guardianship of the OIC, instead of Saudi Arabia.

    Melbourne Mini · 5

    Info slide

    The Kaaba is a cube shaped building at the center of Islam's most important mosque, (Masjid al Haram) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is the most sacred site in Islam and is considered by Muslims to be the House of God. Muslims orient themselves toward this building during the five daily prayers, bury their dead facing its meridian, and visit it on pilgrimage. The Saudi government's oversight of the building complex marks one of its primary claims to authority and legitimacy in the Muslim world. The Saudi King bears the title of official custodian. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation is an international organisation consisting of 57 member states, with a collective population of over 1.8 billion. The organisation states that it is "the collective voice of the Muslim world" and works to "safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony".

  • THR the continued existence of NATO after the fall of the Soviet Union

    Oxford Womxn's Open · 4

  • THBT all claimants of the South China Sea should train and deploy their own maritime militia

    KIDA Open · Open_Quarter

    Info slide

    Maritime Militias are civilians, often made up of fishermen that undergo limited military training and are sometimes equipped with weapons. They are inexpensive and irregular force multipliers that supplement the Navy in maritime law enforcement, protection and humanitarian efforts such as search and rescue operations. China utilizes maritime militias as part of their Gray zone Conflict Warfare tactics in the South China Sea. It is estimated that China has up to 20,000 vessels for its militia. Vietnam created its own Maritime Militia in 2009. Today, Vietnam has enlisted approximately 8,000 fishing boats, and 1.22 per cent of its fishermen, or about 46,000, as militia. Last October, the Philippine proposed to create their own Maritime Militia as well.

  • THR the dominant narrative that one should "fight the good fight"

    Northern Debate Open · Novice_Final

    Info slide

    To "fight the good fight" is a general phrase that is used to encourage someone (typically but not necessarily, from a marginalised community), to join the cause of fighting against a system that is either oppressive or discriminatory or both. This could include but is not limited to; joining a social movement, taking a difficult job or task in the interest of the community e.t.c

  • TH, as Wakanda, would remove the cloaking field

    ADU Novice Championships · 3

    Info slide

    Wakanda is a small landlocked country in East-Africa. It has a unique possession of Vibranium, the strongest element on earth, which the Wakandans use to develop technology far more advanced than any other in existence and a cloaking field which has allowed them to remain hidden from the rest of the world

  • TH, as Colombia, would legalise all drugs

    ADU Novice Championships · 5

  • Assuming feasibility, THW forcibly delete all soldiers' memories of combat situations upon their discharge.

    Evergreen · 1

  • THW immediately return all treasures and artifacts to indigenous groups that originally possessed them.

    Evergreen · Open_Final

  • Assuming the One Ring had been destroyed and Sauron defeated, TH, as a Hobbit, would never leave the shire

    Doxbridge III · Open_Final

    Info slide

    "We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!" - Bilbo (Hobbit) to Gandalf (Wizard). The Shire is an inland rural area settled exclusively by Hobbits, largely sheltered from the rest of Middle Earth. They also eat two breakfasts. Beyond the Shire dwell the rest of Middle Earth's inhabitants, including the kingdoms of Man, Dwarves, and Elves.

  • THR multinational corporations paying protection fees to militant groups

    Malaysia National Intervarsity Debating Championship · 3

    Info slide

    In countries such as Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Iraq, many multinational corporations have been discovered paying protection money to militant groups in exchange for protection of its projects, assets, and employees, which it projects to be part of large sale development, economic, or industrial projects. The payment has been criticised as providing a financial means for such groups to acquire arms and training

  • THW invade Nagorno-Karabakh

    Malaysia National Intervarsity Debating Championship · Open_Semi

    Info slide

    Nagorno-Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan, but its population is majority ethnic Armenian. As the Soviet Union saw increasing tensions in its constituent republics in the 1980s, Nagorno-Karabakh voted to become part of Armenia- sparking a war that stopped with a ceasefire in 1994. Since then, Nagorno-Karabakh has remained part of Azerbaijan, but is controlled by separatist ethnic Armenians backed by the Armenian government. Recently, clashes have re-erupted, which have caused an emergency in both Armenia and Azerbaijan, with hundreds of casualties of both combatants and civilians, and increased ethnic unrest in the region

  • THR the use of war-like terminology in the combating of coronavirus

    Hugill Cup · Open_Final

  • THW ban senior corporate officials (e.g. CEOs, CFOs, COOs etc) from serving in their role for more than four years

    Luzon Intervarsity XII · 3

  • TH opposes awarding Samuel Paty the Legion of Honor

    Luzon Intervarsity XII · 5

    Info slide

    Last week, Samuel Paty, a French history teacher, was brutally attacked and murdered, days after his controversial display of the Charlie Hebdo caricatures that depict the prophet Muhammad in a mocking manner as part of a class discussion on freedom of expression. On October 20, France's Education Minister announced that Paty will be posthumously awarded the Legion of Honour, the highest civilian award in the country.

  • THBT the government should secretively create an artificial common enemy to unite Country V

    Luzon Intervarsity XII · Open_Final

    Info slide

    Country V is a super state that is fraught with heavy internal conflicts and class divide. The state has total control over information transmission in their territory and has attempted various measures to unite the country but to no avail. Different ethnic groups, however, have begun to segregate and form their own regions in the country

  • TH prefers a world where Islam had its own centralised personal authority (like the Pope in Catholicism)

    Shanghai International Debate Open · Open_Semi

  • During times of crisis, THBT governments should conceal information from, misguide, or actively lie to their citizens in order to mitigate harms of the crisis

    DAV Debate Open · Open_Final

  • THR the recent disbandment of Front Pembela Islam by the Indonesian government

    Argumentum X ADC Pro Ams · 5

    Info slide

    Front Pembela Islam (FPI) is an islamic organization in Indonesia. FPI originally started as a civil group that positioned itself as an Islamic moral police after the end of Soeharto's regime which suppressed Islamic values. On December 7 2020, six FPI members were killed by the police. Shortly after, the organization was disbanded as signed on Joint Decree by the ministers and head of government officers namely Minister of Internal Affair, Minister of Law and Human Rights, Supreme Judge, Head of Police. FPI is widely seen as an opposition movement. It is also active in defending Muslims' rights i.e. protest at the Indian embassy regarding violence towards Muslims in India

  • Assuming the technology to do so safely and reversibly is available, THW remove the ability of soldiers to feel fear

    Helsinki Pro Am · 3

  • THBT Western states should support local rebel groups (e.g. by funding them and giving them intel) as opposed to direct military intervention in other states

    Bogwall Novices · 4

  • THW abolish all ZOs in the United States of America

    USUDC · 1

    Info slide

    A zoning ordinance (ZO) is a rule that defines how property in specific geographic zones can be used. ZOs detail whether specific geographic zones are acceptable for residential, industrial, or commercial purposes. ZOs may also regulate lot size, placement, density, and the height of structures. ZOs are typically created and enforced by regional governments (cities, municipalities, villages etc.) and exist alongside environmental regulations.

  • THW grant the WHO, in times of crisis, coercive powers to gather information about suspected infectious disease outbreaks and to enforce its policy recommendations

    Malaysia ABP · 3

    Info slide

    Coersive powers include the power to levy economic and financial sanctions and to stage large interventions. These interventions could constitute sending information-gathering teams (which are analogous to weapons inspectors that enforce nuclear non-proliferation and anti-chemical weapons treaties) and medical teams to reinforce public health systems. The World Health Organisation (WHO) makes a wide variety of policy recommendations during epidemics and pandemics regarding disease outbreak reporting, travel and trade restrictions, and lockdown measures.

  • This house will conduct a referendum amongst the armed forces before initiating a war

    ANU Spring · 3

    Info slide

    For the purpose of this debate, the political executive will first make a decision to initiate war. This decision will be confidentially communicated to the army chiefs, who will conduct a secret referendum among members of the armed forces. Each member will get a vote, and the final verdict will be binding.

  • This House would ban plain clothes policing

    Wolce Pre-ABP · 2

    Info slide

    Plain clothes policing is routine policing where officials do not wear clothing that immediately identifies them as police. It does not refer to undercover policing, where police take on false identities to gather evidence.

  • THBT post dictatorial regimes should purge all elements of the previous regime from government

    LUMS Pre-ABP Online 2020 · 1

  • THW nationalize healthcare systems and vaccine production in times of pandemics

    Proxime Debate Open · 4

  • THBT the response to global pandemics should be led by the World Health Organization rather than by individual governments

    Virtual Vancouver WSDC · 1

  • THS the US pulling out of Afghanistan and transferring control to the Taliban

    USC IV · 6

  • THS the indeterminancy (vagueness and interpretability) of the US constitution

    USC IV · Open_Semi

  • This House Would not distribute emergency and humanitarian aid through non state groups linked to terrorism

    WSDC 2020 · Quarterfinals (impromptu) · World Schools Debating Championships

  • This House Believes That the West should withdraw military cooperation from India until they restore special privileges to Kashmiri residents in the J&K region

    WSDC 2020 · Quarterfinals (impromptu) · World Schools Debating Championships

2019 (53 motions)

  • THBT liberal states should fund the hacking of infrastructure designed to limit freedom of speech in authoritarian states

    The PES Debate Open · 4

  • THBT Western states should permanently revoke the citizenship of citizens who join terrorist organisations

    Munich Research Open 2019 · 2

  • THBT causing deliberate harms to enemy civilians, by the weaker side, is a justified tactic in asymmetrical warfare

    Munich Research Open 2019 · 5

  • THR the concept of martyrdom

    Empire Debates 2019 · Open_Final

    Info slide

    Martyrdom generally refers to the suffering or death of a person for their beliefs, often religious or political.

  • Assuming a world where superheroes exist, TH, as the United Nations, would regulate their engagement in conflicts

    Empire Debates 2019 · 4

  • India, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea. The structure of the alliance treaty replicates all the clauses of the NATO treaty. Motion: This House supports Asian NATO

    Leiden Open 2019 · Open_Semis

    Info slide

    Asian NATO is a proposed international alliance which unites current NATO with western-aligned Asian countries. These countries are: Ind

  • THBT states should prioritise the lives of their own soldiers over those of enemy non-combatants.

    PEP IV · Open_Semis

  • THBT States/Provinces/Territories should be able to decide whether to implement federal laws and regulations.

    Muslim Interscholastic Tournament · 1

  • As part of the post-conflict government transition, TH, as the US would have partitioned Iraq into 3 separate states.

    Colgate Open · 4

    Info slide

    After the Iraq invasion, there were proposals to partition Iraq into 3 separate countries for Shia, Sunni, and Kurdish people respectively. Motion: As

  • TH, as Japan, would support closing all U.S. military bases on Japanese territory.

    USUDC 2019 · Novice_Quarters

    Info slide

    The U.S. has maintained a significant military presence in Japan since 1951. There have been numerous crimes committed by U.S. soldiers on and around American bases in Japan. For example, in May, 2018, an American military contractor was arrested for the murder of a 20-year-old Japanese woman. Motion: TH,

  • This House believes that the protections of international law conventions and treaties should not apply to combatants from terrorist organisations (e.g. prohibition on torture, prisoner of war status, guarantee of post-conflict release)

    Cape Town WUDC 2019 · 2

  • When responding to civilian casualties, this house believes that the military action taken does not have to meet the principle of proportionality.

    HWS Round Robin 2018 · 5

  • Assuming a mechanism exists, THBT NATO should expel Turkey

    21st SSE Riga IV · Open_Quarters

  • THBT military conscription (aka involuntary draft) should be considered a war crime

    Seattle IV 2019 · 1

  • This House Would expel states which fail to spend a minimum of 2% of GDP on defence from NATO.

    Cambridge IV 2019 · 1

  • THBT Scotland should immediately announce a second referendum on independence from the UK.

    Northams 2019 · 2

  • THBT that Western countries should revoke the citizenship of individuals that traveled to the Middle East to join Jihadi groups, even if they were minors at the time of their departure / ECCQ los países occidentales deberían revocar la ciudadanía a los individuos que se trasladaron a Medio Oriente para integrarse a grupos Jihadistas , incluso si eran menores de edad al momento de su translado

    Pan American Debating Championships 2019 · 2

  • THW not allow media to report on crime reported by refugees

    DU IV 2019 · 2

  • THW never support or finance rebel groups on foreign soil as a tactic of war

    DU IV 2019 · 4

  • THBT all nations should take active steps to eliminate all borders.

    Hart House IV 2019 · Open_Final

  • THW grant senior military officers a veto over military decisions made by politicians (e.g. troop deployments, specific missions).

    Barcelona Debating Open 2019 · 2

  • THW ban the research, production and use of lethal autonomous weapons

    Estonia Debate Open 2019 · 3

  • THBT liberal states should sponsor the hacking of infrastructure designed to limit freedom of speech in authoritarian states

    Estonia Debate Open 2019 · Novice_Final

  • THS the strategy of "decapitation" in fighting transnational criminal organizations

    Vienna IV 2019 · 4

    Info slide

    "Decapitation" refers to the strategy of targeting a leader of a criminal organization for assassination or capture.

  • THBT Gavrilo Princip was justified in killing Archduke Franz Ferdinand

    Vienna IV 2019 · Open_Final

    Info slide

    Our shadows will be walking through Vienna, strolling through the court, frightening lords.

  • THBT all military strategies are justified if they save more lives than they cost.

    Poznan Open 2019 · 5

  • th, as the us Democrats, would agree to fund trump's border wall in exchange for increased gun control measures

    FLTRP Training Beijing Debate Open · Open_Semi

  • thw make it a war crime to kill child soldiers in any circumstance

    FLTRP Training Beijing Debate Open · 2

  • THBT mainstream political parties in Europe should impose a "cordon sanitaire" on radical populist parties (e.g. VOX, AFD, PPV).

    Deree Invitational LVII · Open_Final

  • THBT it is in the interest of Britain to have a second referendum on Brexit.

    Berkeley IV 2019 · Open_Semi

  • This House believes that all states should create and publish a list of those financial institutions that would be saved by Bail-Out in a crisis.

    Campus-Debatte Wien 2019 · 3

  • This house would move Pakistan's capital to Karachi.

    The Karachi Cup 2019 · 3

  • TH, as foreign militaries, would condition material support to the United States Armed Forces on the removal of the Trump Administration.

    Rocky Mountain Championships · 6

  • TH, as the United States Federal Government, would take all necessary steps to eliminate Mexican drug cartels.

    Rocky Mountain Championships · Open_Semi

  • TH supports job security legislation

    LUMS Asians' Debate Open · 1

  • TH, as the BJP, would reinstate Articles 370 and 35(A) of the Indian Constitution.

    LUMS Asians' Debate Open · 2

    Info slide

    Article 370 allows the Indian-administered region jurisdiction to make its own laws in all matters except finance, defense, foreign affairs and communications. It established a separate constitution and a separate flag and denied property rights in the region to the outsiders. Article 35(A) permits the local legislature in Indian-administered Kashmir to define permanent residents of the region. It forbids outsiders from permanently settling, buying land, holding local government jobs or winning education scholarships in the region. The article, referred to as the Permanent Residents Law, also bars female residents of Jammu and Kashmir from property rights in the event that they marry a person from outside the state. The provision also extends to such women's children

  • THBT governments should abandon the strategy of "decapitation" in fighting terrorism. Infoslide: In the context of anti-terrorism, decapitation refers to the strategy of targeting terrorist leaders for assassination.

    LUMS Asians' Debate Open · Open_Final

  • TH, as the Chinese state, would send in the People's Liberation Army to take back control of Hong Kong

    LUMS Asians' Debate Open · Open_Final

  • THIS HOUSE AS THE US CIA WILL DISCLOSE IT

    WW III · 2

    Info slide

    Assuming that there is conclusive evidence from the CIA that Osama bin Laden was not responsible for the 9/11 massacre but was a careful set up fall guy for the actual perpetrators.

  • This House, the US Congress, Should enforce the war powers act by limiting the ability of the executive branch to independently use military force against or within the boundaries of sovereign nations, except when authorized by Congress

    Western Washington University 2019 · Open_Final

  • THBT countries should develop and deploy autonomous robot soldiers in conflict zones that are capable of killing people.

    Joynt Scroll 2019 · 2

  • THW revoke ISIS fighters' citizenship, even in instances where that would leave them stateless.

    Joynt Scroll 2019 · 5

  • TH would abolish the Manaus Free Zone

    II Rio São Paulo Tournament · Open_Final

    Info slide

    The Manaus Free Zone consists in a set of tax incentives offered to commercial, industrial and agricultural businesses that want to settle in the city. Among those incentives, stands out the exemption or reduction of taxes on importation, exportation and trading of goods and manufactured products. The Manaus Free Zone was installed with the objective to boost the economic growth in Western Amazon

  • THBT the predominant just war tradition that binds countries has done more harm than good to their capacity to fight non-state armed groups.

    9th Zamboanga Debate Open · 3

    Info slide

    The "just war tradition" deals with the historical body of rules or agreements that have applied in various wars across the ages with regards to the conduct of war. This has resulted in the formation of international agreements such as the Geneva and Hague conventions.

  • THBT the funds for the rehabilitation of Marawi should be distributed to its survivors rather than remain at the government's discretion

    Philippines Intervarsity Debating Championship 2019 · Novice_Semi

  • THR the creation of memorials (e.g., buildings, monuments and statues) to commemorate victims of terrorism

    Philippines Intervarsity Debating Championship 2019 · Open_Final

  • THBT members of rebel militia groups who join as minors should be pardoned

    Philippines Intervarsity Debating Championship 2019 · Open_Semi

  • THBT Google should not have pulled out of the military contract with the Pentagon

    JPDU Spring Tournament · Open_Quarter

    Info slide

    Google decided last year to end its contract for Project Maven, a project in which Google cooperated with the Pentagon to study on the military use of artificial intelligence and image recognition which could be used to enhance drone strikes in the future

  • THW prohibit the end to end encryption of telecommunication

    JPDU Spring Tournament · Open_Quarter

    Info slide

    End to end encryption refers to technology that prevents anyone including the application developer, the network service provider, or the law enforcement to be able to decode the content of interaction over the network

  • THBT Western states should engage in covert cyber-attacks against infrastructure designed to limit freedom of speech* in authoritarian states. *e.g., the Great Firewall of China

    JPDU Spring Tournament · 3

  • THW form an ASEAN military alliance for collective defense.

    ASEAN Debate Invitational 2019 · Open_Final

  • This House Supports China's attempts to become a global dominant power (e.g. establishing its own global financial/development institutions; increased FDI in Africa, S America, Asia; increased military spending)

    WSDC 2019 · Quarterfinals (impromptu) · World Schools Debating Championships

  • TH regrets the glorification of soldiers as heroes

    WSDC 2019 · Grand Final (impromptu) · World Schools Debating Championships

2018 (45 motions)

  • This house would ban all communication tech companies (such as Google, Apple, Facebook, Whatsapp, etc.) from encrypting their users data, including the content of their communications, in such a way that the company cannot retrieve that data even under a court order.

    Mexico WUDC 2018 · 1

  • This house would redefine the criterion for excessive force in the US to be any use of beyond what is reasonable given all the facts of the case, including the benefit of hindsight (e.g. whether the individual had a gun, not whether it was reasonable to believe he had a gun).

    Mexico WUDC 2018 · 3

    Info slide

    The current criterion in the US as to whether a police offices used excessive force is whether he acted reasonably given his perspective at the time and without the benefit of hindsight. Academic research has shown that when using this criterion, juries consistently conclude that officers harming or killing black individuals acted reasonably in almost all circumstances.

  • This house, as the Chinese Communist Party, would lift all restrictions on foreign investments in China, except restrictions critical to national security.

    Mexico WUDC 2018 · ESL_Quarters

  • If it were discovered during an armed conflict that a population hides terrorists, THW not consider a war crime to attack civilians

    1st Copa Leones de Debate (CLD) at University of Guadalajara · 2

  • THBT sovereign debt must be insured with the assets of that country, including, among others, land, natural resources and state enterprises, in case of non-compliance

    1st Copa Leones de Debate (CLD) at University of Guadalajara · 4

  • Assuming it is legal, THW justify that federal states with high rates of violence, hire mercenaries (private armies) to fight organized crime.

    1st Copa Leones de Debate (CLD) at University of Guadalajara · Open_Final

  • THBT liberal democracies should constitutionally enshrine the right of regions to unilaterally secede

    Novi Sad EUDC 2018 · Open_Semis

  • TH, as a member of Pakistan's Economic Advisory Council, would resign.

    Cedar College Debating Championship 2018 · Open_Final

    Info slide

    Atif Mian, a world-renowned economist at Princeton, was invited by Imran Khan's newly-established government to join the Council — but extremist parties called for his removal for belonging to the Ahmedi sect, a minority group which is labeled non-Muslim and heavily targeted and prosecuted in Pakistan. Within two weeks, the government caved in and forced Mian to resign.

  • THR the practice of banking secrecy

    All-Nigeria Universities Debating Championship (ANUDC), University of Ilorin 2018 · Open_Semis

    Info slide

    Banking secrecy alternatively known as financial privacy, banking discretion or bank safety is a conditional agreement between a bank and it's customers or clients that all forgoing activities remain secure, confidential and private. Countries where this practice is prevalent include Switzerland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Panama and the Cayman Islands. Motion: THR

  • This house believes that in post colonial countries, land confiscated by colonial powers should be seized by the state without compensation.

    NZ Easters 2018 · 7

  • You are a humanitarian charity operating in a conflict-zone and have been instructed that to remain working in the country you must provide 50% of your donations to the government or else all access to the country will be forcibly cut off. This house would remain in the conflict-zone.

    NZ Easters 2018 · Open_Semis

  • This house believes that Western democratic countries should unilaterally evacuate relics of historical or cultural importance located in unstable countries and take possession of them.

    NZ Easters 2018 · Open_Final

  • This house believes that the International Criminal Court should use private military contractors to arrest people wanted by the Court.

    NZ Easters 2018 · Open_Final

  • This House believes that the West should impose an arms embargo on Saudi Arabia

    Tilbury House Cologne Open 2018 · 3

  • Assuming feasibility, in countries with conscription, This House Would forcibly delete all soldiers' memories of combat situations upon their discharge

    China BP · 6

  • This House, as the US, would stop all arms sales, military support, and other aid to Saudi Arabia

    Hart House Inter-Varsity 2018 · 3

    Info slide

    In 2017, Trump signed a deal of $110 billion in arms sales over the next 10 years to Saudi Arabia. The $110 billion agreement included Saudi Arabian pledges to purchase tanks, fighter jets, combat ships and a missile defense system. The US also provides intelligence, military advice and logistical support to Saudi Arabia's offensive in Yemen. Motion: This

  • THBT democratic governments should never be allowed to exercise prior restraint, even in cases of national security.

    McGill Central Novice Championship · 5

    Info slide

    "Prior restraint" refers to censorship imposed upon speech or other forms of expression in advance of actual publication. Prior restraint differs from subsequent punishment, which is a penalty or censorship imposed after the communication has been made (as a punishment for having made it). In the US, prior restraint by the government is forbidden, except in certain instances, such as cases involving national security.

  • TH supports ANTIFA. Good luck everyone.

    Rocky Mountain IV 2018 · Novice_Semis

  • This House would create a military space force.

    Penguin Invitational 2018 · 1

  • TH, as Israel, would end compulsory military service.

    Oxford IV 2018 · 3

  • This house would pardon all deserters at the end of major war campaigns.

    Seattle IV 2018 · Open_Quarters

  • TH supports the full separation of religious and political activities in Muslim-majority States

    Birmingham IV 2018 · Open_Semis

    Info slide

    Increasingly, religious parties in Middle Eastern and North African states have adopted secularism, and instead established non-political religious organisations that perform religious activities formerly conducted by the party. Examples include the growing secularisation of the Enhadda Party in Tunisia and the Saigon Coalition in Iraq. The vast majority of these states have formally established Islam as a state religion. Motion: TH

  • This House Believes that the AU should exclusively regulate the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative in Africa

    PAUDC Tanzania 2018 · Open_Semis

    Info slide

    China's Belt and Road Initiative is a program to connect Asia with Africa and Europe via land and maritime networks along 6 corridors with their of improving regional integration, increasing trade and stimulating economic growth. It is expected to involve over $1 trillion in investments in infrastructure development for ports , roads, railways and airports as well as power plants and telecommunications networks.

  • TH supports ANTIFA

    Denver IV 2018 · Open_Semis

  • This house would abolish the Second Amendment

    Western Regionals 2018 · Open_Semis

  • This House, as Mexico, would end all security cooperation with the United States aimed at limiting illegal immigration into the US

    Northams 2018 · Open_Final

  • THBT states should not prosecute members of terrorist organisations (e.g. ISIS, Al-Qaeda) who surrender to those states.

    Shanghai International Debate Open · 1

  • THBT former colonial powers should drastically increase the number of immigrants from their ex-colonies.

    Shanghai International Debate Open · 6

  • THBT states without the death penalty should never extradite individuals to countries where they may face the death penalty (info slide: extradition)

    Shanghai International Debate Open · Open_Octos

  • TH, as European nations, would grant citizenship to refugees who would sign up for the military

    IUT Professionals 2018 · 4

  • TH, as the European Union, would create a joint military force

    Pan Pacific Debate Championship 2018 · 5

    Info slide

    PESCO is a Treaty-based framework and process to deepen defence cooperation amongst EU Member States who are capable and willing to do so. The aim is to jointly develop defence capabilities and make them available for EU military operations.

  • THBT the EU should cut structural funds to member states that undermine civil and political rights (e.g. restrict court independence, reduce media and academic freedom, etc.)

    Riga IV 2018 · 2

  • THW ban private military contractors

    Riga IV 2018 · Open_Semi

  • THW give the Rohingya Arms.

    The Nixor College Debating Championship 2018 · Open_Quarters

  • TH as Pakistan in 1979 would remain neutral in the Afghan War

    Mehran Debating Championship 2018 · 2

  • THW ban violent video games.

    Mehran Debating Championship 2018 · 3

  • THW elect the Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistani Military.

    Mehran Debating Championship 2018 · Open_Final

  • THW ban all forms of self-incrimination

    KCL Open 2018 · 4

    Info slide

    Self incrimination, in law, refers to the provision of evidence or making statements that implicates or connects an individual accused of crime to the crime. Usually, countries do have some protections (on paper) against compelled self-incrimination, such as the right to remain silent, Article 20(3) of the Indian Constitution, etc. For the purposes of the debate, acts that would constitute self-incrimination would include confessions by individuals during police interrogations, testifying against oneself in court trials and agreeing to plead guilty in exchange for a lower sentence or sympathetic treatment from the courts (plea bargains).

  • THB that the countries of former Yugoslavia should create a common history curriculum and textbook.

    KCL Open 2018 · 5

  • THBT Greece should ban Sharia law in Western Thrace.

    Athens Open 2018 · 2

    Info slide

    In Western Thrace, there is a large Muslim minority who still follow some Ottoman-Muslim traditions. This includes many of them agreeing to have their civil disputes (e.g. family, property) adjudicated under Sharia Law.

  • THBT all Western states should cease selling arms to Saudi Arabia until it withdraws from Yemen

    Diliman Debate Open 2018 · Open_Quarter

  • In post-conflict multi-ethnic societies, THW enforce quotas for minorities in prominent civil and military leadership positions

    Diliman Debate Open 2018 · 2

  • THW allow the privatisation of national heritage sites

    Philippines Intervarsity Debating Championship 2018 · Novice_Final

  • THBT the West should no longer lead the fight against terrorism in Sub-Saharan Africa

    Philippines Intervarsity Debating Championship 2018 · 5

  • This House Believes That the West should end all arms sales and military cooperation with Saudi Arabia

    WSDC 2018 · Grand Final (prepared) · World Schools Debating Championships

2017 (5 motions)

  • This House believes that post-genocidal regimes should destroy all places of extermination (for example, death camps)

    Dutch WUDC 2017 · 1

  • This House would allow members of the armed forces to form labour unions

    Dutch WUDC 2017 · 2

    Info slide

    A labour union is an organized association of workers, often in a trade or profession, formed to protect their rights and interests

  • This House believes that South Korea should produce nuclear weapons

    Dutch WUDC 2017 · 7

  • This house believes that countries close to conflict zones should only grant long-term asylum to refugees who agree to one year of military service.

    Dutch WUDC 2017 · Open_Partial_Double_Octos

  • THBT post-colonial states should commemorate their war dead who died fighting for their former coloniser

    Trinity IV · 5

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