Following a brief history of the development of simulation as a research and teaching tool in the field of international politics, three specific simulations are examined in more depth. (1) Conflict in the Middle East: A Public Policy Simulation is intended to acquaint students with the political situation in that area and to help them understand the relationship between theory and reality. (2) The Inter-Nation Simulation (INS) is intended to enable students to experience decision making in a smaller and simpler version of the international world. (3) NUCLEAR DETERRENCE attempts to simulate nuclear deterrence in both theoretical and applied contexts. (STS)