United Press [UP] news thread

by **Virana** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 9:09 pm

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For the last 182 years, the United Press has graced the cover of quality news reporting. What began as a pony express route to cover the country's conflict against Spanish imperialism in the Emmerian Isles south of the subcontinent, has now become a leader in the international media reporting industry, covering every significant event since commencing international operations in the 1880s. Now owned by a host of newspapers and radio and television stations, the UP contributes high-quality stories with a tradition of accuracy, reliability, and speed in reporting to headline the array of modern world journalism. Commonly described as the "Marine Corps" of news reporting, the UP is always the first in, last out, always innovating to stay ahead of the game. Now it continues to serve the people of the world, a storied pioneer amidst a playing field of giants, one in which it remains benevolent and everlasting king.

—Mason Goldwater, President and CEO of the United Press

The United Press (UP; officially United Press Group) is an Emmerian nonprofit news cooperative providing worldwide news coverage in the form of a wire service to its contributing newspapers and radio and television stations in the United Republic of Emmeria. It has its own online news service, television broadcasting service (UPTV), and radio (UPR).

The UP is owned cooperatively by a number of organizations in the United Republic, each of which contribute to the organization and utilize stories and coverage written by its staff and journalists. Media outlets may also subscribe to the UP, receiving the rights to utilize UP articles on their newspapers, websites, and more.

The UP has reporters in most countries and provides coverage of events across the globe. The organization was founded in February 1831 when a number of newspapers in Emmerian economic hub Chaleur collectively funded a mail service route from Chaleur to southern states in order to share the cost of covering the First Spanish-Emmerian War of 1831. It began international operations towards the late 19th century, and now has correspondents in a wide array of countries.

The UP is a member of the Pardesian News Network, a multinational initiative to provide significant coverage of events in Pardes to local Pardesians and the rest of the world.

Member of Pardesian News Network initiative

Pardes - U.R. - World - Tech - Politics

by **Virana** » Thu Feb 14, 2013 3:53 pm

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by **Virana** » Thu Feb 14, 2013 8:33 pm

Basara: ACA shattering, "losing influence"
Loss of Pardes bastion and regional security fallacies causing the downfall of multinational "crypto-fascist" organization
^{14 February 2013 | By Antall Mate (@antallmate) and Daniel Ellis (@danielellis) (UP)}

Oured, D.A., UNITED REPUBLIC (UP) — United Republic Secretary of State Lana Basara told the UP during a media conference this past Thursday that the ACA's strength and influence in international affairs is rapidly dying out.

"The ACA is losing influence at an alarming rate," she told the UP. "Hippostania's ejection, a gradually decreasing role in Tyrrhenian affairs, and the rumors of an intervention in Titianicia all point to one root issue: the ACA is collapsing both from within and out."

Secretary Basara also remarked that the ACA's potential downfall would receive "overwhelmingly positive" reception on the world stage. During the press conference, she called the ACA "an imperialist far-right organization littered with fascism and tyranny" that is "detrimental to international diplomacy".

The ACA's strength in world affairs took a turn for the worst when the International Coalition for Expansion (ICE) held a respectable defense effort against the Empire of Ralkovia, a nation close to some of the ACA's most influential members, in the Adiuvo Islands in northern Tyrrhenia. The operation was successful in that it, for one of the first times ever, challenged the ACA's influence in a region dominated by its members. According to New Belhavian Imperial Foreign Minister Lord Joseph Hansdann, the ACA had no role to play in the conflict, stating that there were "no communist or socialist powers involved" during an exclusive interview with the UP.

Loss in Pardes

The ACA was also hit hard by the loss of one of its most long-standing members, Hippostania. After the Hippostanian government imprisoned foreign diplomatic officials in retaliation for their World Assembly condemnation, the ACA controversially ejected Hippostania from its organization. Prior to its ejection, Hippostania was one of the most powerful proponents of the worldwide anti-communist movement, advocating against what its current Weaverly administration has called the "pro-communist global conspiracy".

According to Hansdann, the Hippostanian Weaverly administration was losing its credibility "to be an effective partner in promoting freedom" due to the extensive controversy surrounding its recent actions. Whether or not the ACA promotes freedom in the first place remains unclear.

Hippostania, which Hansdann called a "nominal member of the ACA", despite that fact that it was once a member of the ACA's elite Grand Council, was the only member of the ACA located in Pardes. Pardes as a region has typically had a slight anti-ACA sentiment, and the ACA ejected its only channel of influence in the region. Hippostania's ejection potentially represents dissent and fracturing from the very heart of the alliance, whose sphere of influence is rapidly shrinking as fragmented groups from within protest or support the ejection.

However, members of the ACA continue to maintain that the alliance is "strong, [...] cohesive and united", as put by Hansdann.

Fascist organization or voice for freedom?

The ACA has received a lot of heat for the plethora of fascism within its ranks. Akimonadi President Johnathan Quigley called the ACA a "crypto-fascist" organization, as reported by Akimonadi media outlet Radio Free Haven last Sunday.

Hansdann stated during the interview that "such ridiculous claims have no bearing", and that only "three or four out of 24 members ascribe themselves as fascist or somewhat authoritarian regimes". Hansdann's numbers were disputed by Secretary Basara, who pulled out a number of files before reporters during the press conference.

"Independent investigations by Congressional organizations confirmed that at least 18 of the ACA's 24 member nations have poor political freedoms," she said, citing the Marlburg Report by the House Foreign Relations Committee, who published it last Saturday. "Almost all member nations are considered to be below average on that scale. At least 14 of its members oppress civil liberties unnecessarily."

"Whether or not fascist regimes call themselves fascist or authoritarian is irrelevant. What matters is what they actually do, and the [Marlburg] Report uses independently confirmed numbers and incorporates World Assembly rankings into its analysis to conclude that a majority of the ACA is, in fact, authoritarian or fascist."

These assertions are in addition to the ACA's de facto close relationship with the Imperial Fascist Alliance, one which promotes "[eradicating] the spread of Communism, Democracy, and their beloved Anarchy", according to its self-proclaimed mission statement. Seven of the IFA's thirteen members, an alarming 54%, are also part of the ACA, bringing Hansdann's claims into question. This includes all three members of the ACA's Board of Founders: the German Empire, Nachfolgia, and Old Tyrannia. The Empire of Ralkovia, one of the single most oppressive and brutally tyrannical regimes in the world, is also a member of the IFA and thus a close ally of the ACA's leading triumvirate.

Despite these claims, ACA members continue to maintain that they are less fascist than what is claimed by most international organizations condemning the ACA.

"Nearly all of our membership is conservative monarchies or republics," Hansdann told the UP. He also said that, "in reality, our membership is quite diverse along the political spectrum." In addition, Hansdann asserted that "any news service or self-respecting analyst would ignore such clearly biased vitriol" in regards to the ACA's fascist reputation.

Regarding the worldwide anti-communist movement, Akimonadi President Quigley told reporters at Question Time that the movement as a whole "is far too often a collection of fascistic and far-right regimes clamoring to oppress the free peoples of the world." The assertion is often echoed by the United Republic and many other parties internationally.

Secretary Basara said during her media conference that the ACA "is the very personification of a radical far-right fascist movement, thinly veiled in a cover of opposition to communism."

Written opposition

The ACA's waning sphere of influence was further compromised last Sunday with the passing of the Bremer Corollary to the Quigley Doctrine, which codified Akimonad's staunch opposition to the ACA. RFH reported that the move was "largely symbolic", because the Quigley administration has maintained opposition to the ACA as an unofficial policy for a long time.

This was echoed by Hansdann, who told the UP that Akimonad's "anti-ACA policy" has been known to senior ACA leadership for months.

Opposition to the ACA has increased of late as many across the world have supported Akimonad's unilateral stand against the fascism. Combining the ACA's loss of Pardes, internal splintering, codified opposition, and waning power in Tyrrhenia itself ultimately leads to the conclusion that the ACA is on the road to exponential decay, and Hansdann's statements denying this seem to suggest that the ACA has turned a blind eye to its reduced sphere of influence.

Unless the ACA tightens the reins on its upcoming downfall, it will splinter, and so will the global pro-fascist movement.

Antall Mate reported from Provisa. Daniel Ellis contributed to the article from Oured, D.A.

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by **Virana** » Fri Feb 15, 2013 12:10 pm

Carter: Savrinola will face trial
Deportation will be considered, but laws of justice will not be violated for Rodarian policy, says DoJ
^{14 February 2013 | By Martin Dedek (@martindedek) and Donald Voortman (@donaldvoortman) (UP)}

Maximus Savrinola, 54, was arrested by Noria County police after a two-hour standoff between him and the local SWAT team. Photograph of the Noria SWAT team by Daniel Ellis, United Press.

Jamestown, FR, UNITED REPUBLIC (UP) — Department of Justice spokesman Logan Carter told reporters during a press conference Friday morning that 54-year-old Maximus Savrinola, a leading Artorian cleric in the United Republic, will face trial contrary to Rodarion's requests for extradition. Savrinola, a Rodarian national, was arrested last Saturday for abducting 27-year-old Amanda Lazni and reportedly torturing and raping her. The CID confirmed Savrinola's ties to Artorian terrorist organizations such as the KCP, and the charges and evidence will likely be involved in the upcoming trial.

"He'll face trial in front of a jury of his peers as per the laws of justice," Carter told the UP. "He committed a crime here and will be tried here for those crimes, regardless of his nationality. That's international custom, and we're not going to waive the laws of justice just because Rodarion wants their criminal back."

Last Monday, Rodarian state news agency RDNNS (Rodarian Divine National News Service) reported that Rodarian Cardinal Secretary of State Aurelius Danarius requested Savrinola's extradition to his home country.

"I ask today that the United Republic's government begin the process of releasing Father Savrinola to us on the grounds of our religious extradition laws," Danarius told reporters during an emergency press conference. "[M]embers of the Artorian clergy must be sent to Rodarion itself to face the charges put against them."

RDNNS also reported that Savrinola is a "loud defender of Artorian rights within the United Republic", also claiming that the "United Republic is well known for its oppression of the Artorian minority." The state news agency, which is known for spreading biased government propaganda, reported that "his [Savrinola's] arrest and subsequent trial is yet a another sign of the United Republic's aim to oppress and destroy the identity of the Artorian community."

Carter did say that extradition would be considered.

"If the jury finds he is guilty and they determine extradition to be the most viable punishment, then that is how it will be done," he told reporters.

The United Republic Department of Foreign Affairs has refused to comment on Rodarion's requests for extradition.

Martin Dedek reported from Jamestown, FR. Donald Voortman contributed to the article from Oured, D.A.

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by **Virana** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 7:27 pm

Burns: "Denial is the first step" for ACA; U.R. to join naval exercises in Tyrrhenia
As ACA falls, member nations deny reality; "Expect full opposition in Pardes", says DoS
^{18 February 2013 8:28 | By Johnathan Abraham (@johnabraham) and Rochelle Snyder (@rochellesnyder) (UP)}

Oured, D.A., UNITED REPUBLIC (UP) — During a press conference with reporters, Deputy Secretary of Defense Richard Burns asserted that the ACA was still falling, despite its member nations claiming otherwise.

"Denial is the first step," he told reporters. "They don't like the fact that their multinational alliance is now collapsing under the weight of its own policies and ideals."

The statements came a day after the Department of State announced the codified version of the Burns Amendment to the Castilla Doctrine, which forms the basis of Emmerian foreign policy under the Castilla administration. The amendment, named after Deputy Secretary Burns, clarified the United Republic's opposition to far-left ideologies such as communism as well as the far-right fascism specified in the original doctrine.

Burns' assertions likely stem from an article by Kcalbite news agency Kcalbite News Network (KNN), which reported that the government released an official statement regarding widespread allegations that the ACA was on the brink of collapse.

"Allegations concerning the 'failing state' or 'waning of influence' of the Anti-Communist Alliance are not factual in any sense of the word," the statement read. "The basis for these ludicrous claims come mostly in the form of grasping straws and connecting events which have no relevance to each other."

Secretary Basara's claims that the ACA was falling were also dismissed by New Belhavian President Eli Goldman.

Secretary Basara and [Akimonadi] President [Johnathan] Quigley are flat-out wrong," he told the Association of Imperial Journalists (AIJ), a Belhavian media group. "I won't even give their outrageous comments any dignity of a response."

In an article published by AIJ, Belhavian Deputy Foreign Minister for Allied Affairs Jacen Gray claimed that "the anti-ACA media narrative has been thoroughly discredited." He did not acknowledge the significant fascist and far-right influence upon the ACA, nor the ACA's close relationship with the Imperial Fascist Alliance, a multinational fascist organization.

New Belhavian 5th Fleet to host naval exercises in Pardes

The AIJ reported earlier today that the New Belhavian Imperial Navy's 5th Fleet was to conduct naval exercises in Pardes. An Imperial Navy spokesman told reporters that the purpose of the exercises was to "[demonstrate] Imperial force projection on a global scale."

The United Republic State Department issued a statement following initial reports of the exercises, stating that the Imperial Navy could "expect full opposition" for its actions in Pardes.

"Nations in the Pardes region demonstrate a unique tendency to string together in response to extraregional military forces in the region," the statement warned.

The U.R. Department of Defense issued another statement two hours later.

"The United Republic Navy will be joining Akimonadi and Maltropian naval forces in joint military exercises in Tyrrhenia," the statement said. "U.R. Navy Task Force 189, the same force that once entered the region to defend the Adiuvo Islands, will return to the region to showcase modern U.R. Navy force projection capability and foster closer relationships with strategic partners in Akimonad and Maltropia."

Defense analysts claim the exercises, which have been termed "freedom of navigation exercises" by a variety of groups (although never officially so), come in response to New Belhavia's recently announced exercises.

Deputy Secretary Burns told reporters that the New Belhavian exercises were "pushing the limit".

"They've succeeded in escalating hostilities," Burns said. "Forget free speech, if you speak out against the New Belhavian government, they'll deploy their navy to your doorstep," he added sarcastically, before finishing. "There's no 'war of words', just us responding to questions and them reacting angrily."

When asked whether or not the exercises in Tyrrhenia were in response to the New Belhavian ones in Pardes, Burns denied all relationship. "They have nothing to do with each other. Our exercises in Tyrrhenia have been planned for a long time, and they're being launched in a mutual effort to improve ties with Akimonad and Maltropia, both of which uphold the same ideals as we do and share common defense goals."

Secretary of State Lana Basara was unable to comment because she is currently meeting with senior Etrusian leadership regarding collective security.
Johnathan Abraham reported from Oured, D.A. Rochelle Snyder contributed to the article from Atlantica, GA.

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by **Virana** » Tue Mar 05, 2013 5:15 pm

Geisler: U.R. to join Organisation for Economic Advancement
Multinational economic organization to help promote economic prosperity, says Commerce Deputy Secretary
^{5 March 2013 6:39 | By Kamel Rodham (@kamelrodham) and Amethyst Hart (@amethysthart) (UP)}

The Organisation for Economic Advancement is a multinational economic cooperation organization formed by Yohannes that contains many of the world's most influential economic powers. Image © 2013 Organisation for Economic Advancement.

Chaleur, CH, UNITED REPUBLIC (UP) — Deputy Secretary of Commerce Jarrod Geisler released a statement earlier today announcing that the United Republic joined the Organisation for Economic Advancement (OEA), a newly formed economic cooperation organization established by world economic giant Yohannes.

According to the Deputy Secretary, who assumed acting responsibilities of Secretary of Commerce Amanda Jarvinen while she attends the World Economic Forum in Britain, joining the OEA is a move intended to further promote the economic prosperity of the United Republic.

"The decision will not play a role in promoting anything but expedited economic advancement," the press release said. "In a world with a highly interlaced and integrated global economic network, it is essential to establish close ties with other powerful economies for mutual benefit."

The move has yet to face reasonable opposition.

The OEA was formed by the Empire of Yohannes, one of the world's strongest economies, to enhance economic prosperity. The OEA's mission statement declares three prime objectives for the organization: "mutual prosperity, the acceleration of [economic] growth, and last but not least, wealth creation through commerce and trade."

Many of the world's most influential economic powers joined the organization soon after its inception. Members of the organization include big-time defense exporters Anemos Major, Eslovakia, and Lamoni; vital economic powers Maltropia and ViZion; as well as close United Republic ally Arthurista.

Kamel Rodham reported from Chaleur. Amethyst Hart contributed to this article from Ardenfontein, Yohannes.

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by **Virana** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 4:24 pm

Isolated, powerless, starving: Titianician people scream for change
Rebels in dictatorship keep their fight alive amidst increasing poverty, give voice to oppressed people

^{8 March 2013 5:02 | By Kader Tarek (@kadertarek) and Donald Voortman (@donaldvoortman) (UP)}

Chaleur, CH, UNITED REPUBLIC (UP) — Peaceful and violent protestors in the United Ditorates of Titianicia are continually gaining ground in the isolated dictatorship as the reigning regime, hit hard by the mysterious disappearance of leader Jack Lazin, struggles to maintain its dominating power throughout the country.

Rebel organizations like the New Alotosian Republican Front (NARF), an ultranationalist rebel organization in Titianicia's fringe territory New Alotos, are striking back against a reigning government whose actions have all but harmed its 2.262 billion inhabitants. The Titianician people have starved and suffered in forced labor camps under a government ruled by wealthy elites, whose decisions have worsened Titianicia's international relations, increased sanctions against the country, and forced brutal famines and economic deterioration through gross military overspending.

"Our hard work is finally paying off," a senior NARF official told the UP on the condition of anonymity. "We are finally able to deal damage to this regime."

The poor status of Opexion's foreign policy was reinforced by its attempted invasion of the Kingdom of Afalia, a peaceful constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy in the Rebelation. The invasion was countered by what is commonly termed the "Afalia Coalition", a joint coalition consisting of the United Republic, Itailian Maifias, Arthurista, Phonencia, and the Eagleland. The Afalia Coalition, in partnership with the Afalian administration, defended the country and wrecked the Titianician fleet, which failed to touch land.

The largest loss of Afalian lives was during a bomb strike on the capital, which killed over 130,000 civilians according to Afalian media agency ABC. President Castilla, Arthuristan Prime Minister Indira Todd, and Afalian Prime Minister Christopher Kelly denounced the bombings, declaring an intention to retaliate in the case of a subsequent strike on any similar scale.

"They [the innocents who died during the Titianician strike] will be remembered," President Castilla solemnly told the press during a media conference following the incident. "They will go down in history as innocent people who perished in the fight against tyranny."

One of the hardest blows during the invasion for Opexion was dictator Jack Lazin's disappearance from the burning ruins of his destroyed flagship. Lazin, who was regarded as an invincible figure in state propaganda, is still missing and may have died during the incident.

The disastrous invasion attempt has led Tyrrhenian regional powers to reconsider their position in relation to Titianicia. Circulating rumors indicate that many regional powers are calling for action against Opexion's government, which poses a major security risk.

"Many of Titianicia's neighbors want the current regime out," an Emmerian intelligence official, who requested anonymity, told the UP. "The rash and bold decisions coming out of Opexion seem to suggest that the regime isn't very stable or mature. And there are other powers in close proximity that want to do something about it."

Oured has constantly campaigned for action against Opexion since ICE's strategic defeat in northern Tyrrhenia against a pro-slavery military coalition last January. Although the U.R. Navy is participating in joint exercises with Akimonadi and Maltropian forces in Tyrrhenia, it is unlikely for Oured to make such an aggressive move.

"There are too many varying factors involved that may play a role and complicate such action," an anonymous State Department official told the UP. "But if it's deemed the only option to neutralize the threat coming from Opexion, and if that threat is considered significant, that is the action that will be taken."

The joint military exercises in Tyrrhenia were prompted by aggressive moves by New Belhavia and its Anti-Communist Alliance allies, one of which partnered with New Belhavia to participate in similar exercises in Pardes, eerily close to the United Republic.

Protests initiated by the UR?

Claims of Emmerian involvement in the protests and unrest in Titianicia are running rampant, particularly due to the local geopolitical landscape and state-run propaganda. These claims are rooted in the Youth Technology for Democracy Summit (YTDS) held in Chaleur last year, which taught students around the world how to take advantage of information technology to promote democracy. YTDS was funded by many corporate organizations, NGOs, and the U.R. State Department itself.

Rumors indicate that specific students used what they learned at YTDS to efficiently organize protests in various countries, including Titianicia.

A senior NARF spokesperson, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told the UP that there are individuals serving a crucial role within NARF that learned from YTDS.

"No native Titianicians were part of that [YTDS summit], but we do have individuals within our ranks who attended," he told the UP. "Their expertise in utilizing technology to promote our resolve has fostered much more prominence and success than what we would otherwise expect. We are making noise and, thanks to what these people learned, the rest of the world is hearing it."

The State Department denied direct involvement in the rebellion, claiming that the students were taught various skills and were free to utilize them however necessary.

"We aren't responsible for how the students utilize the skills that were taught to them [at YTDS]," State Department spokeswoman Layla Patel told reporters. "We taught them how to promote democracy. Many students then went home and lived their lives; others took initiative to use what they learned. We didn't play a part in that decision."

The United Republic International Democratic Fund (IDF), a State Department nonprofit soft-power aid organization formed in 1983 to promote democracy around the world, has funded many NGOs in oppressive countries that have later become major players in their countries after the ousting of the regimes. NARF and other rebellious organizations in Titianicia are not officially listed on IDF's aid list, which is a part of the URAID program.

However, IDF funding was used to sponsor the YTDS summit.

UP's Kader Tarek reported from Chaleur. Donald Voortman contributed to this article from Oured, D.A.

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by **Virana** » Sun Mar 10, 2013 11:24 am

State media: Titianicia uses chemical weapons against own populace
Regime using illegal weaponry to crush uprisings, killing innocents

^{10 March 2013 1:38 | By Kader Tarek (@kadertarek) and Donald Voortman (@donaldvoortman) (UP)}

Chaleur, CH, UNITED REPUBLIC (UP) — TSM, a Titianician state-run media outlet known for running government-sponsored propaganda stories, reported earlier today through regional wire service TBC that the Titianician government had commenced a series of large-scale assaults against uprisings in New Alotos.

"The weapons used were noticeably chemical gases and incendiary weapons which have killed vast sections of the Alotosian rainforests off leaving nothing but dead animals and plants rotting in the remains," TSM reported.

The use of chemical weapons on Titianician people represents a significant shift in Opexion's overall policy for countering its loss of control over the fringe territory of New Alotos. Chemical weapons, which have been known for causing significant long-term birth defects in subsequent generations, are outlawed by various international treaties and conventions. Their destruction of the local ecosystem, both in terms of human suffering and permanent annihilation of natural resources and local wildlife, has led their use to be considered universally controversial.

A senior NARF official who spoke under the condition of anonymity told the UP that the latest array of assaults by the Titianician State Authority, a paramilitary branch notorious for indiscriminately attacking protestors and civilians alike, are only going to advance their cause.

"Their blatant violation of international laws will garner a direct response from world powers," the senior NARF official told the UP. "They're getting more and more desperate, and they just symbolically committed suicide."

"They're rapidly turning this small rebellion into a full-scale civil war. The people will soon understand these atrocities. World powers will understand these atrocities. The Titianician regime will be annihilated from within and out," the official continued.

Last week, U.R. President Luis Castilla told reporters during a press conference that swift action would be taken if Opexion began using chemical or biological weapons against its own people.

"Opexion is known to actively maintain a massive chemical and biological weapons stockpile," the President told reporters. "We will not hesitate to take action if the Lazin regime uses them on innocent people."

Now that Titianician Air Force warplanes have been confirmed to have launched chemical and incendiary weapons at ground targets across New Alotos, killing thousands of people and destroying local wildlife and ecosystems, concerns that the United Republic may intervene are drastically increasing.

U.R. Defense Secretary Aiden Lawson told reporters during a media conference that the United Republic was already prepared to launch an intervention in the country.

"We have forces operating in Tyrrhenia," he told the press. "Before this civil conflict gets out of hand, we have rapid reaction units fully equipped and prepared to counter this threat and keep the Titianician people safe from unjust harm. Their government has turned a blind eye on them, but we are and always will be their greatest friends."

A few hours after Secretary Lawson's statements, President Castilla indicated a potential solution in the works.

"We're currently drafting a joint resolution to dissolve these attacks and bring safety, security, and peace back to the Titianician people," he told the UP. He failed to specify with whom such a resolution would be signed with, citing those concerns "irrelevant". President Castilla also did not discuss the details of the resolution, indicating that it would be immature to release the specifics before they are finalized.

"We will return Titianicia to its people," he said. "We aren't scared of anybody. This has to stop."

President Castilla also dismissed TSM's claims that the NARF rebels, who had ruled the democratic Ulaastan government prior to its overthrow in the early twentieth century, were responsible for causing the famine that prompted the Opexion government to invade Afalia.

"Nuclear terrorists are never our friends," he told the press. "Whoever caused the death of millions of innocent people, destroying food production facilities in the country—that was not NARF. It's the type of propaganda you can expect from these fascist regimes."

The capture of an unspecified Ulaastan family member, who was reportedly one of the most important figures in the NARF hierarchy, has significantly harmed NARF's efforts and has drastically demoralized the people of New Alotos.

UP's Kader Tarek reported from Chaleur. Donald Voortman contributed to this article from Oured, D.A.

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by **Virana** » Thu Mar 14, 2013 7:41 pm

ACA in Pardes, chapter two
"Crypto-fascist" alliance follows "bellicose rhetoric" with Pardes re-entry; action to be taken, says State Department

^{14 March 2013 8:39 | By Michael Bradshaw (@michaelbradshaw) and Dawn Roth (@dawnroth) (UP)}

Chaleur, CH, UNITED REPUBLIC (UP) — The Islamic Social Republic of Premislyd became the latest member of the Anti-Communist Alliance (ACA), often described as a "crypto-fascist organization" by international analysts and various world leaders, in a wild U turn in its roller coaster ride from socialism to radical corporatism and quasi-fascism.

Premislyd's membership of the ACA is disconcerting for the United Republic, who has long taken a firm stance against the alliance's blatant expansionism and right-wing extremist policies. The relative proximity of the two countries, separated only by the 4500 kilometer-wide Sea of Prizra, may serve to significantly destabilize regional peace and security.

The ACA's influence in the Pardes region was wiped out after the alliance ejected one of its most vital members, Hippostania, due to Waverley's imprisonment of diplomatic officials around the world following its World Assembly condemnation. Prior to its ejection, Waverley's representation to the ACA served on the ACA's prime lower-house decision-making body, the elite ACA Ground Council.

Deputy Secretary of State Richard Burns told reporters during a media conference that the ACA's return to Pardes could be very harmful.

"Those fascist failures [the ACA] are only going to undermine and damage the forever ongoing fight for freedom," he said caustically. "They're grasping at their last straws in their last-ditch attempt at rejuvenating their continually decreasing influence and power, and to halt the late rise of their continued irrelevance on the world stage."

Secretary of State Lana Basara also spoke with reporters.

"After spitting bellicose rhetoric [at us] for opposing their tyrannical ideals, the ACA is proving to us more and more every day that they are hellbent on promoting worldwide fascism," she said. During previous media conferences, she has called the ACA "the very personification of a radical far-right fascist movement, thinly veiled in a cover of opposition to communism."

Earlier today, she said, "We will take action. We will not let a crypto-fascist alliance place the Emmerian people in danger to advance their own agenda."

After Hippostania's ejection, the ACA engaged in what analysts described as a "war of words" against various anti-ACA parties, including the United Republic. A vitriolic exchange of words ensued, resulting in heightened tensions between the two parties; ACA members New Belhavia and Transnapastain participated in joint naval exercises in Pardes, sparking powerful retaliatory reactions from regional powers.

In response, the United Republic is to participate in similar exercises in Tyrrhenia, a region described to be a "bastion of fascist ACA influence", alongside Akimonadi and Maltropian forces.

During a press conference last month, Burns also said that "[d]enial is the first step" for the ACA in regards to its continued stance that it was maintaining overall influence and power, despite continued

Following New Belhavian and Transnapastaini joint exercises, the "war of words" was expected to de-escalate in order to allow for improved relations. However, the recent arrival of the ACA back to Pardes has threatened to reboot the weaponless war.

ACA troops in Premislyd?

Anonymous inside sources indicated the potential for Split to petition for the ACA's Foreign Basing Initiative, a program to place war machines from fellow ACA members into specific nations with high potential for ACA's regional involvement. The last nation to do so, Castille de Italia, was blockaded in response by fellow regional superpowers Lyras and Lamoni to prevent foreign ACA troops from entering Greater Dienstad.

The Defense Department has indicated that it would be fully capable of performing similar actions to prevent ACA war machines being placed in Premislyd.

National Security Advisor Jason Caldwell told reporters that action would be "fully possible" and in many cases "entirely necessary".

"Extraregional ACA troops in such proximity would definitely be a threat to national security and place innocent Emmerians in harm's way," he told reporters. "We have a lot of flexibility to handle the situation, which we're monitoring closely. If it comes down to it, we will pursue options to resolve the issue."

Where in particular Premislyd intends to house ACA soldiers if such a petition is accepted remains unclear. It is believed Split may elect to place the troops nearby its highly militarized border with Rodarion, an Artorian theocracy notable for holding Emmerian diplomatic personnel hostage after Artorian cleric Maximus Savrinola was arrested in the U.R. for sexual assault charges.

UP's Michael Bradshaw reported from Chaleur. Dawn Roth contributed to this article from Oured, D.A.

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by **Virana** » Sat Mar 16, 2013 11:13 am

ACA ramps up bellicose rhetoric, admits tyrannical mindset
Premislyd stuck amidst external, internal pressure; Burns: war in Pardes instigated by ACA; Castillians call democracy "corrupt"

^{16 March 2013 2:19 | By Michael Bradshaw (@michaelbradshaw) and Dawn Roth (@dawnroth) (UP)}

A poster that served as part of the United Press's Fascism: A Fallen Ideology campaign during the Invasion of Acaema, 2000. Pictured is an Acaeman Air Force MiG fighter jet that was shot down by United Republic forces over Miblah, Acaema during a two-week no-fly zone period prior to the intervention in which the United Republic performed thousands of airstrikes and decimated much of the Acaeman military force. The Fascism: A Fallen Ideology press campaign increased awareness and knowledge about the oppressive nature of world fascist governments such as Acaema, which was subject to a long and bloody civil war prior to Emmerian intervention. Photograph by Javed Becker, UP.

S T O R Y H E A D L I N E S

:· Premislyd faces internal protests,
external criticism following
Foreign Bases request

:· ACA's bellicose rhetoric reaches
all-new high

:· British to join New Belhavia,
Transnapastain in extended
exercises in Central

:· Belfrasian Navy to conduct
naval exercises in Central Ocean

:· New Castillian foreign policy
"hypocritical", "tyrrannical"

:· Nonviolent protests in Oured, D.A.
outside Premislydic, New Belhavian
embassies closely watched by law
enforcement

Oured, D.A., UNITED REPUBLIC (UP) — ACA leaders fired up their bellicose rhetoric against the United Republic this week, augmenting their unrelenting words by extending ACA exercises in Pardes.

The extension of the exercises in light of recent events surrounding Premislyd has been criticized by officials around the world for attempting to destabilize the region.

Admiral Warren, commanding officer of the New Belhavian fleet performing exercises in Pardes, told New Belhavian press group AIJ, "the 5th's [Fleet's] deployment for exercises in Pardes has been extended two weeks."

Although likely to be conducted in international waters, the joint ACA forces may be close enough to exercise the ability to strike land targets using long-range missiles.

U.R. National Security Advisor Jason Caldwell told reporters during an emergency press conference that the move was directly placing Emmerian lives in significant danger.

"This is their [the ACA's] most outrageous move yet—it's outright ridiculously provocative. They've got no concern for regional stability—they need to stop playing with fire before they get burned," he said during the press conference. However, he reassured that "Emmerian air defenses can prevent aerial strikes from ACA forces to protect Emmerian people from hostile missiles and aircraft."

U.R. Defense Secretary Aiden Lawson also spoke during the press conference.

"The Navy is on high alert, the Air Force is on high alert, the National Guard, everyone" he said. "We're watching them [ACA forces] closely; they're on a tight leash. Any slight movement in the wrong direction will result in a prompt, rapid, measured response from Emmerian defense forces and their allies."

The United Republic isn't the only nation outraged by the announcement to extend the exercises, a move which has received widespread criticism for attempting to instigate further conflict with no other motivation.

Belfrasian media outlet BNN reported earlier today that the Belfrasian Navy, one of the most powerful naval forces in the Pardes region, was planning on sending the Belfrasian 2nd Fleet, a 21-ship strong force that left Port Jacobs in Laesico.

"You can certainly call this a normal exercise ... [w]hile the move was certainly sparked by recent events, no one in this fleet will be traveling with a sense of dread, I assure you," Admiral Henry Tornwall, commander of the Belfrasian 2nd Fleet, told BNN. "Should we cross paths with any of the other fleets out there, I can guarantee you that the first shot won't be from us."

The Kingdom of Belfras is a close United Republic ally through regional defense organization CDI.

Pravengrian media outlet PNN also reported through regional news wire Pardes News Network that Pravengria performed a long-range missile test as a "display of force" against recent Havenwalder and ACA aggression. PNN speculated that it may cause ACA forces to back down. The ACA's exercises and aggression in the region likely prompted much of the actions taken by the Pravene government, clearly in the ACA's attempt to destabilize regional peace.

The United Republic Navy will be opening a new joint naval, air, and ground forces base in northern Pravengria later this year. The tract of land where the base will be located was leased in 2011.

Extraregional powers have taken notice of New Belhavia's provocative actions as well. Renowned Akimonadi media service RFH reported that Akimonad would aid in the defense of the United Republic.

"Akimonad will vigorously defend the sovereignty and independence of Emmeria against all threats," Akimonadi Fleet Admiral Stephen Lutvik wrote in a statement released to the press.

U.R. Secretary of State Lana Basara is to meet with Akimonadi and other international officials later this month in Pickerington to discuss international freedom and democracy. Potential subjects of discussion include a formal alliance with Akimonad, which has quickly emerged as one of the United Republic's most important strategic partners.

Oured responds to New Belhavian vitriol

During a recent ACA press campaign led by New Belhavian government officials, a reboot of the weaponless "war of words" commenced as Provisa lit the United Republic up in bellicose rhetoric. New Belhavian press group AIJ reported the highly provocative statements echoed by the Provisa regime.

"I wonder how lax the drug laws are in Emmeria, because I fear that [United Republic Deputy] Secretary [Richard] Burns has been smoking a few too much of certain substances," New Belhavian Deputy Foreign Minister for Allied Affairs Jacen Gray told AIJ.

When asked about the cruel and insensitive remarks from a man who should be trusted as a responsible government official, Deputy Secretary Burns was almost speechless.

"Their... crude and scathing remarks don't even warrant discussion," he told reporters in an unusually concerned voice. "I strongly suggest Mr. Gray to take a chill pill and re-attend some type of children's daycare," Burns jeered, returning to his usual playful tone. "Maybe that will teach the honorable official the level of respect expected for being in such a powerful position."

Burns also bashed the New Belhavian government for its continued rhetoric and audacious actions in response to mere statements, calling it a "tyrannical mindset".

"Just because a government states that it opposes your ideals does not mean that it's alright to deploy your navy to them," he said. "They're flat-out admitting their tyrannical mindset, their desire to rule the world. It's common among all imperialist regimes and alliances worldwide."

"As I've said before, freedom of speech is largely irrelevant in New Belhavia. If you speak out against the government, they'll deploy their navy to your doorstep and perform actions that scream 'I'm practicing to invade you'."

Secretary of State Lana Basara also spoke with reporters.

"Their statements are completely irrelevant, as with their regime and the alliance [the ACA] as a whole. I'm dismissing their statements towards the United Republic government and its officials as simply more bellicose rhetoric. It's just all meaningless drivel that they continue to spit."

The United Republic is also set to hold exercises in Tyrrhenia alongside Akimonad and Maltropia. The joint naval exercises, set to be held later this month, were likely launched in response to the similar exercises by the ACA in Pardes. Contrary to popular belief among ACA supporters, the exercises were not motivated by statements made by New Belhavian government officials.

The New Belhavian regime has spearheaded the ACA's efforts at discrediting international claims of the ACA's impending downfall and its strong adherence to far-right fascist ideals and policies. These efforts have achieved little aside from promoting conflict between two sides who, aside from the ACA, would likely be close partners.

AIJ reported that Roth Industries CEO and President Michael Roth asserted that ""the risk of war in Pardes is exceedingly high", prompting him to send armed vessels to protect Roth's assets in Pardes. The move has widely been criticized as backdoor piracy.

"It's like the difference between a thief that holds cashiers at gunpoint, and the businessman that scams innocent and naive people," Burns said. "It's professional crime conducted in a legal environment." Burns has, however, been one of the most business-friendly members of his Democratic Party.

Burns also questioned the notion of war in Pardes.

"There's no chance for war in Pardes," he said, before adding, "Unless it's the ACA itself that instigates it."

Internal and external pressure on Split

Split, the capital of Premislyd, is faced with powerful pressure from protestors within the country and powers around it.

Rumors indicate closed-door talks between U.R. government officials and officials from the Premislydic People's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Relations. The People's Foreign Ministry has indicated that it may withdraw its foreign base application in order to protect regional stability.

Regional powers such as Oured have pressured Split to withdraw such an application. Oured's primary concern, aside from hostile ACA troops in close proximity, has been regional security following the cease-fire between Premislyd and Rodarion that resulted in a continued, yet unstable and shaky, peace in the area. The cease-fire in question essentially brought the Vesarius War to an uneasy close.

Oured has indicated a strong response if the application is not withdrawn. President Luis Castilla spoke with reporters during a media conference, stating that there would be "powerful opposition" to the application.

"We are not letting any extraregional ACA military personnel enter the Pardes region for permanent basing," he told reporters. "This is a serious issue; the ACA cannot afford to play its childish games right now."

"We're concerned for regional stability, peace, and security following a particularly bloody border conflict between two theocracies. We're concerned for 1.884 billion innocent lives in the United Republic alone—not to mention the larger populations in Premislyd and Rodarion. We aren't worried about what kind of bellicose rhetoric an extraregional alliance's conceitedness and arrogance can spit at us. We will not hesitate to take serious action if foreign countries continue to deliberately place innocent people at risk."

Although President Castilla did not specify the nature of the "serious action", National Security Advisor Caldwell had indicated before that the United Republic may pursue similar action to Greater Dienstadi nations Lyras and Lamoni. Both countries blockaded ACA member Castille de Italia following Preslaff's decision to apply for foreign bases. The actions served as a reminder to the widespread opposition of the spread of ACA influence in other regions across the world as well.

"We're in a flexible position and will explore and pursue a number of options," President Castilla said. "That's all I have to say on the matter."

Vici Doctrine: Castille de Italia's continued hypocrisy in the face of church secession

The regime in Preslaff announced the Vici Doctrine on Friday, named after Castillian chancellor Isabella Vici.

The doctrine's hypocritical context was denounced by the Castilla administration.

"It claims to be launched 'in the interest of freedom and liberty', but then turns around to straight up say that democracy is 'corrupt' and authoritarianism isn't," Presidential Palace press secretary Kayla Allen told the UP. "Preslaff is clearly attempting to spread its tyrannical ideals amidst internal dissent and trying to gain international support by calling it 'freedom.'"

The doctrine also declares that Preslaff will "retain its membership in the ... Anti-Communism [sic] Alliance."

Castille de Italia has faced significant internal dissent. On Tuesday, three provincial governments, with consent from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, officially seceded from the imperial theocracy.

"... [W]ith the Empire's [Castille de Italia's] status of Grand Councilman in the ACA, it has not won many friends within Greater Dienstad," Rt. Hon. Isaac Ervine, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said in a public statement. "Sure, it may be a key economic player, but there's so many nations keen on converting its system of governance. I fear, my friends, the Imperial Theocracy may be no longer."

The impending collapse of the Preslaff regime, especially during its clampdown on the secession by free people, will likely further destroy key ACA influential footholds around the world. One-by-one the ACA's power has been placed in jeopardy, and ACA nations continue to deny the reality of the threat to their alliance.

UP's Michael Bradshaw reported from Chaleur. Dawn Roth contributed to this article from Oured, D.A.

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by **Virana** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:54 pm

UP Opinion: ACA can recover
Hardline anti-communist organization can break fall, lead global counter-communism movement with two simple steps

^{SHARE THIS:}

^{18 March 2013 9:32 | By Jason Towers (@jasontowers) (UP)}

(UP) — Jason Towers is a minor geopolitical analyst for the United Press. UP reporters are able to voice their opinions and state detailed analysis on their blogs, and notable blog posts may be featured in the UP's main online news section. This post is from Jason Towers' Saving Face, a UP blog focusing on the world geopolitical environment and current affairs.

Despite what propagandic press briefings may claim, one fact is clear: the Anti-Communism Alliance is falling. An alliance of countries banded together to fight the tyranny of communism that has emerged as one of the world's most prominent blocks of the global anti-communist movement has now begun to show its faults and weaknesses.

The ACA is an organization that, just two decades prior, the United Republic would most likely be a firm member of. A Cold War that focused on opposing communism on all fronts, led by the United States of America, resulted in a combined effort that took down the greatest communist power in the world, the Soviet Union. Communists (or rather Marxists) themselves claim the Soviets were not communist, but "state capitalist", a term associated with an authoritarian economy and closely related to communistic ideals themselves.

Yet after the fall of the Soviet Union, communism and its ideals persisted through to the 21st century. Europe pioneered a liberal socialist movement that it called "welfare states" or "democratic socialism", which integrated socialistic ideals such as universal healthcare into a framework of a free-market system. Communism had morphed into its more resilient form—and by natural selection, its ideals held true and strong.

And at the same time, communism in its old tyrannical form continued to exist on a much smaller scale in what could more accurately be termed "neo-communism", as coined by Professor Richard Lindahl at the U.R. Institute for Geopolitical Studies in 2005 in his publication The Red Death: Current and Future Status of Communism. Neo-communism, as described by Professor Lindahl, followed the same basic tyrannical ideals as the practiced forms of communism (Leninism, Stalinism, and so forth) but in a more fragmented and confederated form, as opposed to the centralized USSR and Warsaw Pact. Professor Lindahl asserted communism could not realistically exist in its theoretical Marxist form, because the path to such a state would be blocked by basic human nature: greed, lust for wealth, and corruption.

He also asserted that modern communist states (or, rather, "societies" in order to avoid offending communists) were simply allegories of their previous ancestors from the Soviet Union. Communist societies that claimed to be entirely Marxist, such as the Free Council Communes, were merely lying to their own populace and to the rest of their world of their true nature: oppression and eradication of economic freedom.

He furthermore stated that although communism had transformed into this more Balkanized neo-communist form, the methods for opposing it remain the same today. And the ACA has continued to violate the basic tenets of Cold War anti-communism, a fact that explains the significant opposition the alliance has received from even other anti-communist powers—countries that would otherwise be its Cold War allies.

A look at the ACA: how to revive a dying alliance opposing an outdated ideology?

From the fanatical "pro-communist global conspiracy" rhetoric flooding from Waverly to the measured approach from Provisa, it is clear the ACA represents an entire spectrum of anti-communists. However, the ACA has used outdated ideologies to support its own agenda—that being fascism—and has proved overtly aggressive with little geopolitical understanding.

With proper organization and reform, the ACA can re-establish its strength and further advance its goal of the eradication of global communist through two simple steps.

Step 1: trash the fascism

On the modern political spectrum, the left is generally associated with socialism and communism, and the right with fascism. During the Cold War, alliances with fascists were necessary; according to Professor Lindahl, the threat of communist oppression outweighed that of fascist oppression. Yet in a modern geopolitical landscape, the reverse is almost fact: fascism is viewed in a much more negative light than communism (likely due to the positives of democratic socialism versus the lack of any in all forms of fascism). And because no radical leftist organizations hold as much power as the far-right ACA, opposing fascism is viewed as a higher priority for nations that utilize interventionist human rights diplomacy.

Analysts assert the number of non-fascist ACA members, but refuse to acknowledge the leaders of the alliance. One look at the ACA's board of founders tells you that it is an alliance led by a facsist triumvirate, all three of which are members of the Imperial Fascist Alliance (IFA). Countries willing to oppose the ACA simply have to say "your bosses are fascists" and they'd be right, and there is little to be done on the contrary.

If the ACA's leadership is unable to separate itself from its fascistic ideals, then the ACA is inherently a radical fascist organization. By being in the organization, relative democracies like New Belhavia announce their support for the ideals of the ACA's board of founders, and subsequently misrepresent themselves as fascist countries on a world stage.

U.R. Presidential Palace spokeswoman Kayla Allen was quoted as saying, "if they [the ACA] weren't fascists, they may have had our support."

Step 2: geopolitics is everything, and the ACA has nothing

Understanding fully the local geopolitical environment when making major strategic and tactical decisions regarding opposing or supporting events and actions is absolutely essential. The ACA's actions have, time and time again, proved that they lack understanding of geopolitics.

Opposing communism involves making allies, not enemies. As Professor Lindahl writes, "communism is inherently tied to its virus-like nature: if a communist revolution overtakes a government, surrounding countries are at high risk for similar revolutions." This idea powered anti-communism during the Cold War with the United States's successful containment doctrines. By containing communism's spread and making allies nearby where communist revolutions are likely to occur, it was possible to prevent such revolutions from occurring.

This differs starkly to the militaristic ideals the fascistic ACA leaders hold dear.

According to Lindahl, communist revolutions only occur where the economy is weak and stagnant, and workers are not receiving the appropriate rights and wages as a result. In response, the workers rebel and establish a state in which their mob rule reigns supreme and hard-working businessmen are stripped of their rights to free enterprise.

By promoting economic prosperity in states where communist revolutions are likely or near where they have occurred, it is also possible to prevent the revolutions from happening. This has been done in practice; see West Germany. Again, this differs from the ACA's doctrine.

In order for these two mutually beneficial methods to be implemented, it is essential to establish close ties with regions that may support your ideals. The ACA has done the exact opposite.

Take Pardes for example. In response to criticism for its crypto-fascist nature, ACA juggernaut New Belhavia deployed its naval forces to the region to take part in military exercises as a strategic deterrent.

Essentially, Provisa deployed a naval fleet because angry words. And just weeks prior, U.R. Secretary of State Lana Basara had called New Belhavia one of the "most reasonable countries in the ACA." If such actions are the most reasonable in the alliance, there is no telling what more hardcore regimes in the ACA could conjure.

As a result, Provisa initiated a chain of events that led the United Republic to staunchly oppose the ACA in a form of brinkmanship. The United Republic Navy is set to hold joint military exercises in Tyrrhenia alongside the Akimonadi and Maltropian navies, directly placing the ACA nations in the same exact uneasy position as they had done to the United Republic. And aside from resonant rumors that the exercises may be scrapped, they are set to begin later this month at an unspecified time and date, a decision intended to maintain operational security.

Another geopolitical failure for the ACA was its attempt at basing foreign troops in Premislyd. Had ACA analysts done their research, they would have known that Premislyd just concluded a long and bloody border conflict with its southern neighbor, imperial theocracy Rodarion. Placing ACA troops in such proximity to the border—just under 75 kilometers from the disputed province of Vesarius—is quite literally screaming for regional instability.

And almost directly calling for regional instability is the greatest way to lose the support of local regional powers. Premislyd is currently the single nation in the Pardes region that supports the ACA. And now, weeks after the apparent cooling of tensions between ACA nations and the United Republic, the U.R. is prepared to spearhead a multinational blockade of Premislyd until it rescinds its bid to house foreign ACA troops.

This is all keeping in mind that the United Republic is a staunch world anti-communist. The ACA didn't do its homework making friends.

A carbon-copy of the above scenario occurred in Greater Dienstad. Under the auspices of a failed ACA geopolitical core, Castille de Italia attempted to file for foreign troops in its country. World superpowers Lyras and Lamoni, both in close proximity to the imperial theocracy, blockaded the country and prevented the alliance from placing its troops there.

Until the ACA revamps its geopolitical core and establishes a reasonable understanding of how to approach particular issues, and until it severs the close ties it maintains with tyrannical fascism, it will continue to fail in its attempts to eradicate communism from the world.

Jason Towers is a minor geopolitical analyst for the UP. This UP Opinions article was retrieved from Saving Face, a UP blog project focusing on world affairs and geopolitics. The opinions in this article do not reflect those of UP or of its employees.

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5871 comments

^{STAR THIS DISCUSSION}

TJRawling Imperial, VI
3 Hours Ago
Towers continues to prove his gigantic fucking ego. Shit article from a shit analyst. ACA is failed as fuck.

@goldb you're fucking retarded, lern2engrish
72 likes
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goldb Atlantica, GA
3 Hours Ago
wow wht kind ofc untry wud usee army bcuz govt said bad word ??
2 likes
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martin77 November City, NV
4 Hours Ago
I'm too old to be dealing with more of this bullshit. Sorry, it's not our business. Fuck Premislyd for letting the ACA come back to Pardes. They are the ones who don't know geopolitics.
52 likes
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Beatboxa Chaleur, CH
4 Hours Ago
@JayKing, you spelled "unite" wrong.

#buzzkill
1052 likes
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JayKing Sharjah, TA
4 Hours Ago
These heretics shall burn in Hell! Come my Muslim brothers, we must unitd in our cause to destroy the infidels and restore the Ummah that these western imperialists have wiped out.
362 likes
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by **Virana** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 8:15 pm

Luis Castilla will not run for a second term
President confirms desire not to run in 2013 election

^{SHARE THIS:}

^{23 March 2013 9:32 | By Michael Bradshaw (@MikeBradshaw) and Caleb Redding (@CalebRedding) (UP)}

_{S T O R Y H E A D L I N E S}
:· Incumbent president declares
that he will not run again,
focus on retirement

:· President's late decision may
shift polls as primaries loom

:· Governor Nicholas Tooney
leading Republican polls

Oured, D.A., UNITED REPUBLIC (UP) — During an exclusive interview with the UP, incumbent President Luis Castilla reaffirmed his decision not to run for a second term in Election 2013.

"I announced the decision last year and I'm standing firmly by it. I never participated in any primary debates late last year," he told the UP. "It's one of the hardest decisions I've had to make in my life, but it's done. I am not running for a second term as President of the United Republic."

After first hinting at his desire to resign from presidency last May, President Castilla first publicly declared this intention prior to the first primary debate against fellow Democratic candidates Virland Senator Alan Morgan (D-VL) and Merrimead Governor James Arlington (D-ME). Although he did not take part in the debates, he indicated there was still a chance he may choose to run.

However, with the primaries set to kick off in just days, President Castilla reaffirmed his original stance.

Breaking a trend of six consecutive presidents that have run for a second term, President Castilla stood firmly by his decision.

"I've had a very enjoyable tenure as President. But at the same time there are other priorities of mine that I have to focus on. I just want to get away from it all, really. Retire to the countryside, spend time with my wife, my children, my family."

Alan Morgan leading polls for Democratic Liberal Party

In the wake of President Castilla's absence, Virland Senator Alan Morgan is leading DLP polls against fellow Democrat Governor James Arlington.

As part of his presidential campaign, Senator Morgan will be visiting battleground state Priscella tomorrow. Governor Arlington has been in battleground state York since yesterday to kick off his presidential campaign.

The primaries and caususes, which begin on Tuesday and conclude on June 1, will decide the presidential candidates for the two prevailing parties, the DLP and the Conservatist Party of the Republic (CPR), as well as major third parties. Minor third parties will determine their candidates during nominating conventions from July to early September.

After a period of presidential debates and campaigning from late September to October, the remaining candidates will be on the instant-runoff ballot for Election Day, November 5. The Electoral College will then determine the winner of each state based on the ballots, and the candidate will require 270 electoral votes to win the presidential election.

UP's Michael Bradshaw reported from Oured, D.A. Caleb Redding contributed to this article from Oured, D.A.

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5871

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5871 comments

^{STAR THIS DISCUSSION}

DJMore Wichita, VL
3 seconds ago
These men place their lives on the line to protect our freedom. I can't thank them enough. The hearts of the entire Emmerian family go out to the SEAL who was injured. Our prayers are with you - may God bless us all.

God bless our troops. God bless freedom. God bless Emmeria.
47 likes
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SEALS247 Chaleur, CH
2 minutes ago
I don't know how those SEALs kept this fucker alive. If I was in their place I'd pop Lazin's godforsaken head off. Support our troops!

To injured SEAL: I'm praying for ya, buddy.
27 likes
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doebat Oured, D.A.
2 minutes ago
More government propaganda. For all we know this Lazin guy's a benevolent ruler who led his country out of its dark ages.
7 likes
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by **Virana** » Wed Mar 27, 2013 2:42 pm

Whirlwind week: two autocrats down
Castillian chancellor death and Titianician dictator capture represents instability in totalitarian regimes; in response, state-run propaganda ensues

^{SHARE THIS:}

^{25 March 2013 4:59 | By Kader Tarek (@KaderTarek) and Donald Voortman (@DDVoortman) (UP)}

_{S T O R Y H E A D L I N E S}
:· NEW! Castillian chancellor Vici
assassinated by a gunman

:· Castillian government erroneously
points to U.R. involvement
while attempting to increase
tensions

:· Countries around the world spread
anti-UR propaganda

Oured, D.A., UNITED REPUBLIC (UP) — Castillian Chancellor Isabella Vici was assassinated by gunman James Tennison this past Tuesday in Ti Armani Square, Torrington, Castillian news outlet CNN reported.

The death of the chancellor marked the third time in just months that a senior Castillian government official was assassinated, along with Defense Secretary Avenius and Emperor Titus Valerius I.

According to CNN—a news network that has, in the past, attempted to increase international tensions through sensational journalism—the Castillian government was quick to place the blame of the death of one of its own on the United Republic.

According to international analyst George London of the U.R. Institute for Geopolitical Studies, the death of Chancellor Vici is unlikely to have been orchestrated by the U.R.

"The Castillian government provided little to no evidence supporting its claims that the United Republic was involved [in Chancellor Vici's assassination]," London told the UP via e-mail. "CNN has spewed false propaganda before, and it's just continuing to do so as Preslaff desperately searches for a scapegoat. CNN didn't even provide any official statements, rather making brash accusations on its own."

The U.R. government was also quick to respond to the accusation.

Director of National Intelligence Tom Callahan spoke with reporters at Press Time, stating that the claims are "entirely false and unjustified" and a scheme to "increase international tensions and push for war".

"The actions by the Castillians are clearly representative of a raging desire for open conflict with the United Republic," Callahan continued. "They need a casus belli, and after their chancellor was killed, what better one than to blame the entity your delusional government hates the most?"

CNN asserted that the United Republic denounced "Preslaff's every move" and that it was "clear" that "Oured is planning covert operations to bring down the Castillian government."

Secretary of State Lana Basara responded to the bold accusations as well.

"We never denounced their actions—there wasn't even a government statement from a senior official regarding the Vici Doctrine," she told reporters at Press Time. "The only statement from a government source came from a Presidential Palace spokeswoman who called it hypocritical and tyrannical."

Secretary Basara's statements ring true; Oured never showed hostility towards Preslaff, but senior members of the Castilla administration denounced the foreign policy doctrine written by Chancellor Vici just two weeks before her assassination.

However, the "delusional government" in Preslaff took offense to the statements, following with naval exercises outside Pardes and a nuclear missile test that threatens to destabilize peace with an open threat for war. New Castillian defense secretary Tiberius was quoted as speculating that Emmeria is "[their] new enemy", despite the lack of overall provocation by the U.R. government.

President Luis Castilla told reporters at Press Time that "the accusations made against the United Republic are ridiculous, immaturely formulated, and blatant bellicose rhetoric."

"We sympathize with the people of Castille de Italia. Chancellor Vici's death will go down in history as a dishonorable assassination by the enemies of humanity," President Castilla told reporters. "However, that doesn't mean erroneously making accusations will accomplish much in the wake of her death. In order to cope with the situation, Preslaff must act maturely and make thoughtful, smart decisions rather than promoting unnecessary conflict. We must stand side-by-side to deal with the issue rather than closing eyes and pointing fingers, in the interest of the Castillian people."

With the threat of Castille de Italia declaring war on the United Republic on this basis, the U.R. Department of Defense issued a statement earlier today stating that the United Republic could defend itself in the case of attack.

"The United Republic Defense Force remains prepared to defend the rights of the Emmerian people," the statement read. "U.R. forces are fully equipped to deal with governments or entities that threaten national security in any way."

Autocratic regimes: Unstable and doomed to fail?

Chancellor Vici's death was the second time this week that a leading government official in an autocratic regime has been ousted, with the first being the capture of Titianician dictator Jack Lazin in Afalia on Sunday.

It is also the third assassination of senior Preslaff officials in the past few months.

The internal splintering of countries amidst corruption is common in areas where totalitarian governments reign supreme. Often a single person wields so much power that the heir to the throne is fully willing to assassinate them in order to gain power.

According to analyst George London, this is the case in Castille de Italia.

"As the people of Castille de Italia fight amongst each other to gain power and independence, certain people found certain opportunities to step up the ladder," London told the UP via e-mail. "[New] Chancellor [Victoria] Mede is now arguably the most powerful person in the country."

This fragility of the government infrastructure seems to display a decay in international totalitarianism over the past few years. Authoritarian government policies were also the case in Titianicia, many of which led to the botched Titianician invasion of Afalia that would end in the capture of Titianician Ditor Jack Lazin.

"When a government wields too much power over its people, the people want the power back," London wrote. "And when they try to gain it, they inadvertently force the regime to make brutally misguided decisions—all of which lead to more rebellion. Totalitarian states are inherently locked in this downward death spiral that, more often than not, leads to their ultimate collapse."

UP's Kader Tarek reported from Oured, D.A. Donald Voortman contributed to this article from Oured, D.A.

MORE IN WORLD

Does Preslaff want war? [ 5243 ]
Callahan: Vici was not killed by UR [ 9429 ]
Castillian nuclear missile test threatens security [ 1375 ]

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^{STAR THIS DISCUSSION}

DJMore Wichita, VL
3 seconds ago
They want to fuck with us? Let's stick it to 'em. Castilla needs to stop sounding so pussy and go pop these fuckers' heads off.
47 likes
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Soldup47 Chaleur, CH
2 minutes ago
New Castillian foreign policy: put the hottest chick possible as chancellor.

I mean seriously, they're doing something right!
127 likes
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doebat Oured, D.A.
2 minutes ago
Damn, Castilla's statements were weak as fuck. I mean come the fuck on, they're messing with us and you, as president, are gonna get on your fucking knees and act all Mr. Nice Guy? Thank god the fucker isn't running again.
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by **Virana** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 4:02 pm

The Garlic: War of Worlds rages on
Martians to hold exercises in Pardes as Pravene missiles point towards Havenwalder capital

^{SHARE THIS:}

^{32 March 0000 6:04 | By God (@GodoftheGarlic) (UP)}

Editor's note: The Garlic is a UP blog. Its content is guaranteed to be 100% accurate and reliably sourced; please do not contact the UP or The Garlic staff regarding informational accuracy in this article. Doing so may result in a severe fee.

Oured, D.A., UNITED REPUBLIC (UP) — The interplanetary War of Worlds has heated up in recent days with Castille de Italia's newly declared exercises outside of Pardes. The War of Worlds, a term coined by a Havenwalder News (propaganda) Association article from Tuesday March 26 (but since unfortunately edited to the vastly inferior term "War of Words"), is a bloodless conflict between the martian alliance "Air Conditioning Association" ("ACA") and nations in the Pardes region.

During the latest ensuing battles (mostly consisting of angry words from both sides), Castille de Italia also announced a test of a brand new nuclear missile system that it intends to use against the United Republic.

"This one is bigger than my dick," new Castillian Secretary of Defense Tiberius told reporters. "I can't wait to see it come out of its hole."

The Garlic was unable to independently confirm whether the latter statement referred to the missile or Secretary Tiberius's dick.

U.R. President Luis Castilla denounced the nuclear missile test yesterday, calling it "maddening" during a speech while wearing his best bandana and wifebeater and holding a flaming pitchfork.

"Their latest actions make us angry!" President Castilla announced with a thunderous voice. "Down with Castille de Italia!"

As the War of Worlds has raged on, a number of smaller conflicts have intertwined themselves with it. The most apparent of such is the potential war between U.R. ally Pravengria and Tehraanian ally Havenwalde. Pravengrian propaganda outlet PNN reported that Pravengrian missiles were pointed at Havenwalder capital Bechstadt.

"We have removed our missiles from their silos," a Pravengrian military official who requested anonymity told The Garlic. "They are now lying on the beaches of our west coast, pointed towards Bechstadt using highly advanced GPS technology implemented in 1968."

When asked how the missiles would launch, the military official shrugged. "Our orders were to point them at Bechstadt, and that's what I'm doing."

In response to Pravengria's clearly provocative move, Premislydic propaganda station Premislyd Today aggressively ordered "Step Down Pravengria".

"Our highly accurate news networks are so informative that they can order other countries to step down," an anonymous Premislyder in the street told The Garlic. "I feel so sooty for other countries that are not blessed with such unbiased and neutral media."

Revolutionary Premislydic leader Ajatola Taras Yakiv Kozel, 12, told The Garlic that everyone else was acting too old.

"They are essentially behaving like adults. Throwing around long and difficult words in order to draw my attention to them so they can 'show off' to the martians and fellow Earthlings how 'smart' and 'mature' they are."

Premislyd has strongly sided with the martians in this conflict, despite its firm anti-air conditioning beliefs. International analysts say it may be because Ajatola Kozel is secretly a raging martian alien.

One analyst said there was "no doubt" Ajatola Kozel was an alien.

"The Ajatola has hair that looks like a turban. Who else does that?" the analyst remarked. "And look at his eyes. It's as if he's wearing some sort of extraterrestrial reading glasses!"

However, the analyst asserted that the Ajatola was at least at one point a human.

"He has criticized the martians' actions, their policies," the analyst said. "It is very clear that some sort of alien disease has consumed his mind."

This article was retrieved from The Garlic, a UP blog. The Garlic is devoted to providing highly accurate news reporting from around the world.

FAR INFERIOR NEWS

Lazin trial begins in Afalia [ 5243 ]
Castille de Italia calms rhetoric [ 9429 ]
Elcric Kcalb radically modifies policy [ 1375 ]

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^{STAR THIS DISCUSSION}

by **Virana** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 4:49 pm

The Garlic: World surrenders to Titianicia
As Lazin becomes first man in space, world leaders bow down to Dear Leader

^{SHARE THIS:}

^{30 March 2013 6:04 | By Harry Denver (@HarryDenver) (UP)}

Editor's note: The Garlic is a UP blog. Its content is guaranteed to be 100% accurate and reliably sourced. Please do not contact the UP or The Garlic staff regarding informational accuracy in this article; doing so may result in a ~~severe fee~~ mandatory payment of funds to The Garlic (original content removed due to a copyright claim by uneasyJet, the world's greatest airline).

Opexion, TITIANICIA — Following reports yesterday that Titianician Ditor Jack Lazin became the first man in space, every nation on this planet has surrendered to the almighty Tyrrhenian dictatorship.

Contrary to international claims, Jack Lazin was not captured during a U.R. Navy SEAL raid. Instead, a massive crowd of 45 people gathered in central Opexion this past Friday to observe the launch of Titianicia's first rocket that has not exploded in mid-air—one that held the Dear Leader of the country. Jack Lazin then became the first man ever to go into space.

Less than 24 hours after Titianicia's overwhelmingly neutral media outlet TSM reported the rocket successfully exiting Earth's atmosphere with the dictator, world leaders quickly got on their knees and bowed down to the powerful nation. Castillian Chancellor Victoria Mede promised to "suck Lazin's obviously massive penis".

"Their highly advanced technology is just unbearable," President Luis Castilla said. "I... we've got no choice. We are giving in." President Castilla then joined Akimonadi President Johnathan Quigley, New Belhavian Emperor Ryan Adrian I, and other world leaders in submitting to Titianicia's power.

"Our space program is the greatest in the world," a Titianician official told The Garlic. "The rocket is proof. It uses highly advanced fuel systems and technology that allow it to overcome this ambiguous force that pulls us towards the Earth's surface. Our scientists are calling it 'gravity' now, and it perplexes me how we were able to overcome it."

The powerful Titianician scientist corps is renowned worldwide for its stunning discoveries. A month ago, prominent high-level Titianician scientists became the first ever to prove that water is wet.

Reports indicate that Lazin will not return to the surface, instead ruling his country from space. He is not expected to make any more public appearances.

As nations around the world surrender to Titianicia, Titianician diplomats are overseeing the transfer of goods, services, and food to its country, which it will most likely distribute to its subjugated peoples as it deems necessary.

"The United Republic is proudly handing over its supplies, manpower, and capabilities to our new Titianician overlords," President Castilla said. "Long live Titianicia!"

Hëgegovernor Iyæn Stratovimä, who is standing in for Lazin as the Earth-based ruler of the country, told reporters that world leaders bowing down was absolutely expected.

"Their surrender was completely inevitable," Stratovima said. "The overwhelming power of our technology was impossible to resist."

Editor's note: As the inferior peoples of the world surrender to Earth's sole cultural and political power, The Garlic would like to publicly affirm its longstanding support for the Titianician regime. As world ruler Jack Lazin is aware, The Garlic has always firmly stood by the Titianician government amidst its criticism and been a strong voice for Titianicia's ascent to such power. It is foolish to resist our all-powerful regime.

This article was retrieved from The Garlic, a UP blog. The Garlic is devoted to providing highly accurate news reporting from around the world.

FAR INFERIOR NEWS

U.R. military to begin mandatory technical training [ 5243 ]
Joint Tyrrhenian exercises set to kick off [ 9429 ]
Castille de Italia threatens to kill one of its own [ 1375 ]

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^{STAR THIS DISCUSSION}

by **Virana** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 4:09 pm

The Garlic: Titianicia's military remains prepared for all threats
Amidst international criticism, Titianician military vows to protect glorious country

^{SHARE THIS:}

^{30 March 2013 6:04 | By Harry Denver (@HarryDenver) (UP)}

The glorious Titianician Navy is one of the strongest navies in the world. Pictured is Hëgegovernor Iyæn Stratovimä waving (in black) from the deck of the massive TAF Lazin, the most powerful warship of the almighty navy, off the coast of New Alotos.

Editor's note: The Garlic is a UP blog. Its content is guaranteed to be 100% accurate and reliably sourced. Please do not contact the UP or The Garlic staff regarding informational accuracy in this article; doing so may result in a ~~severe fee~~ mandatory payment of funds to The Garlic (original content removed due to a copyright claim by uneasyJet, the world's greatest airline).

Opexion, TITIANICIA — As the United Ditorates of Titianicia faces constant threats from imperialists that surround the Tyrrhenian dictatorship, senior Titianician regime officials assert that Titianicia is prepared to defend itself if needed.

"We have over 30 million well-trained troops and 1,944 warships that stand at the ready to defend our country," a regime spokesman told The Garlic. "Our technology far exceeds that of our enemies—we are a bastion of science. We cannot be defeated."

Titianicia recently suffered a major defeat during its invasion of Afalia. International analysts estimate that the country lost thousands of ships and over 20 million lives during the conflict. However, these claims are simply imperialist propaganda; in reality, Titianicia only lost 4 million troops and 456 warships during the invasion against an inferior race of peoples who were begging for enslavement.

Titianician warfighting technology is among the world's very best. As pictured, the most powerful of Titianician warships are armed with advanced propulsion mechanisms constructed of complex hard structural tissue fibers that can double as offensive weapons.

"These technologies allow Titianician warships to deal severe damage to their opponents," the regime spokesman asserted.

It is impossible to assume that the mighty Titianician military, whose annual defense budget is 7,194,339,194,798.44 Lazins (approximately $4.21 Universal standard dollars), would falter against the inferior forces of imperialists.

Now with a leader that rules from space, Titianicia has broken all known bounds in regards to ~~geo~~astropolitical power.

When asked how the mighty war machines of Titianicia lost to the inferior Emmerians, Arthuristans, Itailians, Phonencians, and Afalians during the Invasion of Afalia, the regime spokesman glanced towards security and the reporters were never seen again. The Garlic would like to apologize to Titianicia for the bold and disappointing behavior of its employees; the fact that they questioned the regime warrants their punishment of life imprisonment.

This article was retrieved from The Garlic, a UP blog. The Garlic is devoted to providing highly accurate news reporting from around the world.

FAR INFERIOR NEWS

U.R. military to begin mandatory technical training [ 5243 ]
Joint Tyrrhenian exercises set to kick off [ 9429 ]
Castille de Italia threatens to kill one of its own [ 1375 ]

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^{STAR THIS DISCUSSION}

by **Virana** » Sat Apr 06, 2013 6:34 pm

Fallen SEAL receives posthumous Silver Star
Petty officer third class Cory Lee Harvan receives armed service's third-highest honor

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^{March 25, 2013 4:59 PM · By Kader Tarek (@KaderTarek) and Donald Voortman (@DDVoortman) (UP)}

Members of the United Republic Navy SEALs unit that participated in the Jack Lazin raid and teammates of Petty Officer Harvan attending his military funeral. The individuals pictured are pinning the Navy SEAL Spear, the insignia of the renowned special forces unit, on the casket.

_{S T O R Y H E A D L I N E S}
:· NEW! Navy SEAL dies from wounds
sustained in Jack Lazin raid

:· President Castilla awards fallen SEAL
with Navy's third-highest honor

:· SEAL died shielding teammates from
hostile fire

Fort Chaucer, VA, UNITED REPUBLIC (UP) — United Republic President Luis Castilla awarded fallen Navy SEAL Petty Officer Third Class Cory Lee Harvan a posthumous Silver Star, the Navy's third-highest decoration, this past Friday.

Petty Officer Harvan was part the SEAL team that raided Titianician Jack Lazin's submarine off the coast of Afalia on Monday March 5. During the raid, he was shot several times across the body, sustaining fatal injuries in the femoral artery in his left leg. According to reports, he was at the time ordering his teammates to go into cover and, exposed, firing back at Lazin's personal security guards while informing his team of their positions.

After the raid resulted in the capture of dictator Jack Lazin alive, PO3 Harvan was airlifted to the URS Majestic. There, he died in intensive care due to his injuries.

"His sacrifice was unmistakeable," one of his teammates, a SEAL whose identity remains a secret for operational security purposes, told reporters via phone. "He would fight with such dedication and courage against any enemy, day in and day out. The man was a hero."

Hours before launching the raid, military intelligence units in Afalia intercepted Titianician communications and pinpointed the Titianician tyrant's location to a spot off the coast of Afalia, nearby the wreckage of the 1.3 km long TAF Ditorate. Within minutes, the team of Navy SEALs was prepared to take down the dictator.

The dictator was, at the time, hiding in a personal submarine while escaping the burning supership.

After the submarine surfaced due to an underwater explosion initiated by the SEAL team, the SEALs boarded the submarine. They came under heavy fire by Lazin's guards, and PO3 Harvan was shot in the ensuing firefight while attempting to ensure all his teammates were safe. The SEALs would then regain the upper hand and storm Lazin's chamber, where Lazin was shot in the leg in the ensuing confrontation before being tackled by another SEAL and arrested.

Lazin was then handed over to Afalia, and the responsibility to prosecute the dictator for war crimes lies with the peaceful country.

UP's Kader Tarek and Donald Voortman contributed to this report.

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Exclusive: How the energy crisis will affect the Pravene economy [ 1375 ]

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by **Virana** » Sat May 04, 2013 11:00 am

Secretary Lawson: United Republic will protect commercial shipping rights
Amidst rising tensions, commercial shipping lanes will be protected, says Defense Department

^{SHARE THIS:}

Kader Tarek (@KaderTarek) and Donald Voortman (@DDVoortman) (UP)
^{May 4, 2013 1:21 PM | Oured, D.A., United Republic of Emmeria}

The cargo vessel Outlands operated by UR-based sea transportation contractor IMS leaving port from Chaleur for the Central Ocean on January 7, 2013. Amidst rising tensions in Pardes, such merchant shipping has come under threat of attack by regional powers attempting to block trade for potential opponents. UP Photo/Mary D'Olympio

_{S T O R Y H E A D L I N E S}
:· NEW: U.R. Navy to protect commercial
shipping throughout Pardes, says Defense
Department

:· Announcement comes following concerns
of political conflicts translating into raids
on commercial shipping

:· New Belhavian Imperial Navy to utilize 5th
Fleet to protect ACA-operated merchant
shipping

:· Pravengrian anti-ACA commercial shipping
measures "ineffective, irrelevant, and
largely symbolic", says economist

Oured, D.A., UNITED REPUBLIC (UP) — A statement made by United Republic Secretary of Defense Aiden Lawson during a media conference assured commercial assets in Pardes that the United Republic Navy would defend shipping rights.

"The United Republic Navy is a renowned global force for good," Secretary Lawson said. "We will protect the rights for commercial ships to travel through shipping lanes throughout Pardes regardless of political background or conflict in the region."

The statements came after New Belhavian corporate giant Roth Industries canceled its contract with private security firm Pyrion Security to protect commercial assets in the Central Ocean after the move caused widespread controversy due to the presence of heavily armed, privately-operated vessels in the region. The Imperial Navy promised to take up the role to escort New Belhavian merchant vessels as large-scale conflict threatens to break out in the region.

"We will cooperate with the Imperial Navy in defending the rights of commercial assets to navigate freely in international waters," Secretary Lawson said. "As always, the United Republic Navy will continue to escort merchant marine vessels through dangerous waters if they request the protection."

Pravengria may block ACA merchant shipping from Pravene Straits

Experts in Pravene media outlet PNN speculated that the country may be planning on "closing [the Pravene Straits] off to ACA merchant ships".

Dr. Jackson Rouad, chief economist in Chaleur-based economy magazine Worldview, criticized the notion.

"Pravengria's move is just ineffective, irrelevant, and largely symbolic," he told reporters. "A majority of ACA nations are located towards Pardes's north, so practically none of the ACA's merchant shipping would be coming through the straits anyway."

He also exposed major holes in Pravengria's potential anti-ACA strategy.

"[Pravene capital] Saxonopl' never stated how they would deal with multinational corporations that have ties to ACA-based firms," he told reporters. "And how would they treat cargo that ACA-based companies outsource to foreign shipping firms? Additionally, are they planning on investigating every single merchant vessel that passes through international waters in the [Pravene] Straits in hopes of determining whether they have any ties to the ACA?"

"The entire goal is just illogical and impossible to enforce without destroying the ability for merchant shipping to pass through Pravene territory. They aren't hurting ACA shipping as much—since so little goes through the area anyway—but they [would be] killing the ability for non-ACA firms to efficiently transport materiel through the Pravene Straits."

Secretary Lawson also commented on the potentiality.

"[Pravengria would be] increasingly isolating itself and [...] transforming from an effective partner in promoting global human rights to a nation that ineffectively enforces obsolete and oppressive policies," he said during the press conference.

He did not indicate whether the United Republic would take action to allow commercial assets safe passage through the Pravene Straits. The United Republic Navy operates a leased base in its northern islands, located very close to the straits. Pravengria is considered a strategic ally of the United Republic of Emmeria.

*** Correction 5/4/2013 6:24 PM: An earlier version of this article assumed that the Pravene government had officially supported the notion that the country may block the straits, as reported by Pravene state-owned media. However, it was simply speculation; the Pravene government never made a statement until later on, when senior officials denied that such action would be considered. The United Press would like to apologize for this inaccuracy, as it takes informational accuracy in news reporting very seriously.

*** Correction 5/5/2013 12:29 PM: An earlier version of this article referred to Pravene news outlet Pravengria National News (PNN) as a state-owned entity. The assertion was a mere misunderstanding and has been fixed. The UP apologizes for this inaccuracy.

UP's Kader Tarek and Donald Voortman contributed to this report.

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