Focus on Firepower [GO News Cycle][Closed/GO Only]

[Vienna Eliot]

blogspot.republicanpoliticsblog.co.or

Martinez caves to hedge funds (maybe), with... boats?

Hi everyone, and welcome back for the midweek post.

Here's the quick rundown of what's going down in orpol this week:

• EOE appears to have saved the MU, for now, but not by her own doing. Bonifaz has proven an unlikely ally in the fight.
• The Liberals are at this point definitely going to block the Medicare repeal efforts. This is what we get for having Labor in the cabinet.
• Speaking of, Viel has all but declared his loyalty to the Eliots, so I'm not sure how long he's going to be in H&L.
• Trains.
• And of course, Salvador O'Hara literally shot someone and nobody will talk about it.

So that's the rundown. Next up, President Martinez has caved into the investment banks.

Not long ago she was giving Parthonopia a run for their money, with the Oceanian ambassador delivering a not-so-subtle statement (though it didn't name Parth) about nonproliferation and the need for nuclear nations to welcome inspectors.* Of course, its suggestions were quickly shot down with an official letter from Parthonopian leaders, which essentially boiled down to "We don't have nuclear weapons — but if we did, we wouldn't let you inspect them."

*Meronnia, which claims to have gotten rid its stockpiles, signed on. But at least a few academics think they held on to a couple warheads. Winst was, noticeably, not a signatory.

But now, it looks like Danielle Martinez has caved into demands from vulture funds, who count the government of Parthonopia among their most lucrative clients. Some of the big investment bank CEOs recently met with Martinez (and they've been pouring unprecedented dollars into lobbying this government), and while I'm sure that helped to change her mind, whatever threats Jay Carter was able to leverage likely sealed the deal.

If anyone else were President of Oceania, they would probably put out a strongly worded statement, because "that is how you pivot." For better or worse, though, Danielle Martinez actually has military expertise, so her strategy might take a second to wrap your head around: she (very quietly) sent some (very small) boats to the Rosel.

This is an extraordinarily subtle move, so you'd be forgiven for thinking it's unrelated to the Parthonopian situation. But recently, Ackesia implemented an active suasion strategy with a cruiser in that area. Rather than send a capable war fighting force, it looks like the Oceanian Navy has directed a research ship and a littoral corvette to cruise around the waters west of the Amalosian Islands in search of natural resources. In other words, Martinez is subtly letting everyone know that Oceania is keeping an eye on Liran international waters lest somebody try to start something.

It's the kind of latent suasion whose details are up for the viewer's interpretation, but whose general message is very clear: don't shoot.

[Tia Regness]

February 17th 2021

T.P.K Авангард dispathced to Pyrrenian Bay

In a decisive and clear statement from the Nationalist Republic in direct response to the 'Liran Missile Crisis', a military maritime vessel has crossed the Inoran ocean and now sits in the waters around the Kingdom of Parthanopia. The Kingdom recently unveiled a new selection of military warheads during a parade in Ancona in King Carlo's honour, this display of power has delivered many concerned and enraged reponses from the regional community including the nations of Winst, Lunderfrau and Ackesia. Winst has recently claimed that the weapons are indeed nuclear in their nature and were stolen from them earlier this year, however this is a claim that the government of Parthanopia and King Carlo himself vehemently deny. The Matriarchy of Lunderfrau also issued an ultimatum to the Kingdom inferring military consequences if an investigation is denied. Now, two days ago, the Ackesian republic has deployed a military vessel to western Rosal in an obvious bid to scare the Kingdom into submission.

It is well known that the Kingdom of Parthanopia and our own glorious Nationalist Republic have in recent years become closer with a new energy deal last month further compounding the two nations relationship. This energy deal was merely the tip of the iceberg with many more talks and deals being conducted behind closed doors and through backroom channels, and it is now understood that the relationship runs deep. Aggression towards Allies, nations of economic interest or nations of strategic interest will not be tolerated by Tia Regness, although we still wait to see under which heading the Kingdom currently falls.

"It has been made clear over the past days that the Nations of Lira intend to bully and harass their neighbors into submission at any and all opportunities, all the while under the guise of peace and safety. The nation of Winst has fabricated a fantastical story of missing weapons and aggressive nuclear powers to their south, The nation of Lunderfrau believes it has the power to conduct its self as a holy superpower dishing out ultimatums to any it deems a threat, The nation of Meronnia believes it has the power to pick and chose which soverign nations exist and the nation of Ackesia believes it can launch warships in an aggressive nature while attempting to hide their true intentions under the thin veil of 'protection and safety'. The nations of Lira forget that there is a world far larger than themselves, and that not all of their intended targets stand alone. We have a large vested interest in the the Kingdom and we shall not allow them to be bullied, for that reason the defense and protection of our economic partner are a top priority, and will continue to be so." - excerpt of a speech by the deputy chairman to the people's diet.

The TPK Авангард, which now sits as a cold reminder of Tia Regness' naval power to the nations of Lira, was once the pride of the navy. During the 1970's and 1980's it was the major capital ship of the naval forces and a formidable beast on the battlefield, sporting twelve 17" main guns mounted on 4 different turrets and a variety of lighter armaments this Gudzyak class battleship was able to penetrate all naval armour of the time and would come out on top against any of its direct competitors. Now with the modern times and a general shift towards aircraft carriers as the dominant naval force in the world, the Авангард no longer leads the navy. It has however been updated and its armaments modernized in an attempt to keep it a viable solution to power projection on the waves, along side its original guns it now also boosts a stockpile of rocket ordinance and missile systems in both an anti-air and anti-vessel capacity, although its exact specifications are unknown.

While the battleship currently traverses the waters solo, it is unlikely that it will sail alone if its message is not received quickly by the nations of Lira. The party has made it clear that the might of the Tia Regness Navy is available if required.

[Winst]

Tourne announces Nuclear Missiles to be stationed in the Republic Lafida Marcomer.

Feburary 18th, 2021

Following the announcement of a foreign battleship taking up an aggressive position in the Rosel, Tourne announced a plan to ensure the safety of the Wintonian Ally the Republic of Lafida-Marcomer a breakaway Parthonopian state that has successfully resisted the hostile take over of the region by King Carlo and won recognition in the week-long war between the two nations. In the statement which Tourne delivered directly, she stressed the importance of ensuring the Lafidan and Marcomerian people of Winst’s commitment to their defense. Tourne singled out the movement of Tia Regness’s battleship into Liran waters as a sign that further support for the young republic was needed as the waters of the Rosel might find themselves as tenuous as the air above Orthuria, an obvious call back to the plane downed allegedly by the Parthonopian Government. Tourne called out as well to the conference being held in Sylva stating Parthonopian lies and aggression has gone unchecked for too long and that the diplomatic event would serve only to legitimize and boost the man's ego. She went on to comment on the inaction of Liran leaders who have for too long allowed this festering wound to grow and swallow the continent in its malice.

Within the statement, Tourne mentioned the moving of several more conventional missile systems into the republic but also included moving Nuclear missiles from the Domain of Northern Meridiq to the small southern Orthurian nation. This move marks the first time Wintonian Missiles have ever been deployed outside of Winst or the private property of Wintonian Citizens. The delivery of the missiles is scheduled for some time next week.

[Achesia]

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ACKESIA FLEXES IN THE EASTERN ROSEL, SINKING VETERAN SHIP
Spontaneous Naval Exercises Called By Beldon have Not so Subtle Message.

SHARE

Alwin Fiedler (@AFPKendra)
18 February, 2021| Beldon, Ackesia

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_{The sea floor} of the Rosel has a new inhabitant today as the former ARM-Lulian Lazar battlecruiser rests after its planned destruction by the Ackesian Republican Marine. Weighing 12,000 tons the Lulian Lazar served the Royal Marine from 1947 to 1974 until it was reclassified as a test bed in 1976 and finally decommissioned in 1987. Since then it has sat at dock in Bogdan on the southern coast of Wescain awaiting its time to be scrapped. That is unit just days ago the Ministry of Defense deemed it was high time for an exercise of its naval might.

Just before these exercises were called by Beldon, the Nationalist Republic of Tia Regness deployed an antiquated battleship to the Rosel in support of the Kingdom of Parthonopia and as an answer to Ackesia’s own deployment of the cruiser Tafok Island. In a move that has left military observers the word over scratching their heads, the Nationalist Republic has chosen what one observer has called: “Taking dad old rusted truck out to the street race against a Venâncio”. The battleship Авангард has of note served as a major surface combatant in the mid-20th century but since has been frankensteined into some semblance of a modern warship.

Regardless of the ill fated decision to deploy yesterday’s weapons to today’s conflicts, Beldon has seen the play and is not amused. Just this morning the ARM-Seige of Beldon, one of Ackesia’s two carriers left port with full compliment on what the Ministry of Defense called a “routine training exercise in the eastern Rosel”. But unlike most routine exercises which involve mock scenarios and drills, this one featured live ammo and real targets, mainly the Lulian Lazar.

Towed out to see the day previous the Lazar sat alone waiting for its fate in the middle of the Rosel. As the sun rose and the S.O. Beldon sailed closer, three F/A-21C Cyclone navalized fighters launched from the carrier armed with the Marine’s Carelian supplied AGM-84 Harpoon missiles. At a standoff range of 100 miles each fighter launched its selected weapon, dooming the long serving Ackesian ship. As each weapon struck the Lazar the hull split into subsequent pieces, sending the naval vetran burning to the seafloor.

The Marine has stated the exercise was a great success in proving the capabilities of both the weapon system and pilots. However, many have read between the lines given the context of the situation in the Rosel. Ackesia has sent a clear message that bringing a rusty knife to a Harpoon fight will end badly for the enemies of the Greater Republic. The spontaneous exercise is trurly not so spontaneous as tensions heat up in the waters of western Lira.

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©The Ackesian Free Press 2020

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[Lykens]

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Statement from the Office of Foreign Affairs



February 18, 2021

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The Federal Republic of Lykens condemns in the strongest of terms the planned relocation of nuclear weapons to Lafida-Marcomer. The Plutocratic Republic of Winst has for many years shined as a beacon of democracy and liberty on the Liran continent along with her sister republic of Meronnia, however the over correction of a perceived threat to the Republic of Lafida-Marcomer will only serve to further increase tensions in the region. The Government of Lykens has tremendous respect for Michelle Tourne, however it can not allow hypocrisy to go unchallenged. Since putting down a domestic insurrection, President Tourne has yet to relinquish emergency powers afforded to her to defend her nation from internal threats. It is the fear of this government that an unchecked tyrant is possibly in the making. Wielding emergency powers against the Kingdom of Parthonopia is the exact type of fearmongering that Tourne has led numerous leaders in against the Parthonopian King. Both sides have contributed to an increasingly unsustainable situation where massive destruction is prone to be wrought upon millions of innocents.

The world learned from the mistakes of the Olympic War, and we must not repeat them. The time for diplomacy is now, and I urge all attendees of the Congress of Lira luck in resolving the situation at hand. We in Mu-Kal learned long ago that cooperation between nations yields productive benefits that serve to lift us all up. However, for peace to resume, we must show good faith on both sides of the issue, and Wintonian aggression must come to an end. The continued persecution of the Parthonopian people for centuries by their Liran neighbors must come to an end in order to bring about Liran prosperity. Lunderfrau's history is checkered with abuses of peoples of nations throughout Lira, and its latest interventions in the case of Parthonopia are some of the most glaring examples of hypocrisy exhibited. Slow reforms to advance equal rights and democracy do not absolve centuries of repressive and downright brutal reign. The Federal Republic will not allowed the Parthonopian Kingdom to be bullied by two nations with such checkered pasts and hostile actions, and once again calls for continued international cooperation to solve the growing tension of the region.

Kenneth Diaz, State Counselor of Lykens

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[Twynam]

Commonwealth Office of Foreign Affairs

Feb 21

@TwynamForeignAffairs

The Foreign Affairs minister is deeply concerned with recent findings in regards to the ICBMs seen in a Parthonopiaian parade. The minister wishes to encourage anti-proliferation across the region and insists a diplomatic solution is created to end this crisis.

[Achesia]

HRH Princess Trinity of Avondale

Feb 19

@TrinityAvondale

Just as progress is being made in Liran peace efforts the Republic if Winst takes a step too far. Just as I told the former President Ackerman a year ago, violence begets violence. The placement of these weapons in close proximity during such a critical time in the region will only lead to more innocent blood shed. I pray to Beo saner heads prevail.

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[Vienna Eliot]

The Associated Press

Feb 21

@AP

BREAKING: Oceanian research ship, Planet, reports standoff in Rosel.

[Vienna Eliot]

Oceanian ships go missing in Rosel
David Davidson-Davids, Associated Press
^{February 21st, 2021}

The Oceanian research ship, Planet, as well as a small naval vessel, have gone silent.

(AP) — Two Oceanian ships have gone missing in the Rosel, according to a report Sunday evening from the Oceanian Navy.

The ships, Planet and the OSS Roswell, were deployed to the western Rosel Sea on an energy research mission in the midst of increasing tensions in the region caused by speculation over Parthonopian nuclear capabilities. The AP reported Sunday morning that the Planet was caught in a "standoff" at sea.

The Navy would not confirm any involvement in military activity, but reported in the evening that the Planet and its defensive escort had stopped reporting their location earlier in the day.

The disappearance occurs as navies increase their presence in the region in response to the ongoing Parthonopian missile incident. Parthonopia displayed large missiles in a military parade earlier this month, which some actors have suggested demonstrate nuclear capabilities. Oceanian President Danielle Martinez joined a statement emphasizing international nonproliferation goals, though some observers suggest that the small Oceanian deployment to the Rosel was designed to discourage aggression in the region.

[Parthonopia]

OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE OF THE KING OF PARTHONOPIA

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From the Desk of King Carlo I

CC: FOREIGN SECRETARY ANTOINE BEAUDOUIN
Patience is the Companion of Wisdom
14th of February, 2021

TO THE FIRST DEPUTY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MERONNIA MAXIMILIEN SARDOU,

Sincerely yours, Mister First Deputy Sardou; I am gravely concerned and upset with the unfolding circumstances we both face. My disappointment is immense. Earlier this week I was unfortunately presented with the sad reality that the newly minted, green President Augustin Lajoie chooses to live within: a reality he has since, with the ridiculous remarks he made, chosen to drag us all into. I titled this communication with that of a quote from the great theologian and early father of modern Beoin doctrine, Saint Augustine of Rumad; Patience is the Companion of Wisdom. I did so for the purpose of reminding you of this pertinent message that the quote conveys; patience is not a sign of weakness but rather that of wisdom. This indispensable virtue, patience, is necessary now as it has always been. I have shown much wisdom when I have displayed an immeasurable amount of patience that I have extended towards those who have so little for Parthonopia.

It was wise of me to show patience and restraint and meet with you and that feeble Produese doormat in Senone a year ago. War was avoided and bonds cemented. It was only due to patience that the Cisparranian Republic was left alone. A long time ally to to its ethnic cousins and peoples whom share a common language and culture, it remains one of only two Parthonopian states that have not aligned behind my cause. There were boundless opportunities for this go other ways but I have patience, and it was clearly wise to avoid treading there. Wisdom was necessary to see that what could be gained accounted for much less than what may have been lost if pushed. Patience is the Companion of Wisdom. I have been reminding myself of this all throughout the days since President Lajoie's foul outburst. It has taken immense self control to avoid responding with a similar outburst. But what does escalation have in store us? I have the wisdom to know that it is nothing good. The question is, then, do you? Do you possess the wisdom and patience to work to turn this around? I have done my part so far but I cannot cooperate with such a level of aggression:

President Lajoie does not get to determine whether or not Parthonopia exists.

I urge you to refrain from continuing down the unfavorable path your foolish counterpart has set you upon. It is unsustainable. It is foolhardy. It forces a change in the dynamics of our two nation's relationship; where there was cooperation, the warming of relations and further room to grow, now there is little but disdain. I am truly disheartened by it all. What may have been even more of an offense than the farcical statements made by the inexperienced President is the lack of any communication on your behalf in regards to it. I have waited too long for even a mention or a hint that you would reach out to right this wrong. I was, before these statements, under the belief, perhaps foolishly, that there was an opportunity for Parthonopia and Meronnia to work together. I genuinely held hope that the cooperation we had previously established was a stepping stone to further mutual aid, not a cliff's edge. Diplomatic mutual understandings had been made, in your home, a year ago. What has occurred since leaves me with little to no choice but to assume that any agreements reached that day are now moot.

This quote is poignant still. Despite it all I can remain patient yet but only if there is reciprocation. The first step you must take in changing the course is to renounce what President Lajoie has said and reassert the fact that the Republic of Meronnia recognizes the Kingdom of Parthonopia as a legitimate, sovereign nation. From there it is up to debate and speculation. Far down the hill has our relationship fallen, if there is any value that you see in it then perhaps you may wish to fix that. The rest of Lira, and the world for that matter, seem ready to show their patience and their wisdom and work together towards an agreeable future. I am available, indefinitely, for you to begin the steps towards reengagement. Until then, I can only wish you the best in what way come from diplomacy led by impassioned, fiery, inexperienced demagogues.

It is such a shame you will be unable to attend the summit in Karlovice. The Congress of Lira they are calling it now. I would have assumed that such an event would be the makings of the master diplomats from Senone rather than a President from the Larovas. Perhaps I should not be surprised, however, for if Lajoie is a water mark on where Meronnian diplomacy is heading; the days of Detente long gone and level headed, pragmatic decision making a thing of the past. Perhaps the rest of Lira will be for the better in working without such reckless voices towards a peaceful and prosperous future.

Regards,

Sua Maestà,
Carlo I

[Produzir]

Prime Minister Bonadeo to Begrudgingly Meet Propped-Up King of Arideo
Martí Pujolriu, Noite de Produseía
^{February 12th, 2021}

Ricardo Bonadeo with King José, both scheduled to meet with the propped-up King of Arideo.

— Several days ago, in response to alleged Parthonopian armament, Prime Minister Ricardo Bonadeo publically invited the partially-recognized king of Parthonopia for a state visit at the Produese monarch's ceremonial home at Vidaveira Palace in Burlon. To the surprise of many in the Bonadeo administration, Carlo stated he would not be able to attend until a later date, instead offering his son, whom was placed on the throne of Arideo in 2020, to come to Burlon instead. Allegedly, this was seen as an insult by some within Bonadeo's cabinet, however Bonadeo himself made a statement saying after some thinking he will accept the king's offer to meet with King Filip, citing that it was worth it to meet when the issue was in it's infancy than wait for his father to become available.

Bonadeo, appearing with a mildly frustrated tone in his press conference stated he was happy to meet the King of Arideo, yet disappointed that Carlo himself could not appear in person for the time being. He also stated that he hoped Carlo's son was as pleasing to discuss with as his father was in Senone.

The Prime Minister still has not admitted to the visit being directed at Parthonopian armament, perhaps due to potentially sending the wrong message to the Ciaia family if it is in fact the case.

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[Nova Sylva]

Sylvan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Feb 25

@SylvakiaForeignMinistry

President Cernik and the Foreign Ministry were happy to greet the incoming representatives and heads of state in the first ever #CongressOfLira in Karlovice. Sylvakia makes strides onto the world stage on this historic occasion of peace, diplomacy, and international relations. The nations in attendance are Sylvakia, Parthonopia, Boaga, Winst, Lunderfrau, Illynetheria, Grenzaria, Ackesia, Gostia, Radea, and Produzland. This marks the largest diplomatic meeting of non-allied nations in Olympic history.
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OFFICIAL INVITATION FROM THE SYLVAN GOVERNMENT

To whom it may concern:

For too long, conflicts and disputes have been settled by force of arms rather than diplomacy and negotiation. With the modern weapons of war at our fingertips, the stakes have never been higher. As such, a direct course of action to counter this danger must be set by a community of Liran nations. As such, the Republic of Sylvakia will be hosting an international summit in Karlovice beginning on the 25th of to discuss the ongoing international incidents and regional crisis afflicting Lira and Olympia at the first ever Pan-Liran Congress.

President Vaclav Cernik respectfully requests the attendance of your nation’s head of state or established representative. Please RSVP with the Sylvan Ministry of Foreign Affairs at your earliest convenience.

ITINERARY:

FEB 25 – Arrival

FEB 26 (12:00-14:00) – Press Conference
FEB 26 (19:00-24:00) – Formal Dinner and Welcoming Party

FEB 27 (08:00-17:00) – Summit session (no press, closed door)

FEB 28 (08:00-14:00) Summit session (no press, closed door)
FEB 28 (15:00-17:00) Summit session (with press)


FEB 29 (08:00-17:00) Summit session (no press, closed door)


FEB 30 (08:00-14:00) Summit session (no press, closed door)
FEB 30 (15:00-17:00) Summit session (with press)

FEB 31 (10:00-13:00) Closing press conference

MAR 1 – Departure

The devil of diplomacy was always in the details. It was the small, seemingly insignificant things that truly made the most impact on the representatives in attendance. The natural arrogance of working in government made even the smallest infraction of decorum a diplomatic insult, while the prestige of the nation they represented prevented any real public response. As such, the meetings and conferences were often equal part negotiation and childhood pranks.

The fact that, for example, President Cernik personally greeted only the Parthonopian, Lunderfrau, and Boagan representatives at the runway where their planes landed, while the other representatives were met by orderlies and functionaries of the Foreign Ministry. Konstantin was one such functionary. When the Grenzarian heir-apparent stepped off the plane, he immediately frowned.

Sylvakia had promised transportation to and from the airport. Upon arriving, however, no transport for the Grenzarians was there. “My apologies,” Konstantin had replied. “There must be some mistake. Perhaps you should contact your embassy?”

Embarrassingly, then, the Heir Apparent of the Grenzarian Archduchy was forced to wait on the runway for half an hour in the winter cold of Karlovice while his embassy scrambled to provide vehicles for him and his entourage.

There were other small insults to be shared as well. The Vlachavian ambassador, for example, was surprised to receive an invitation the proceedings after the initial round of invites had deliberately passed up his nation; when he arrived to the black-tie dinner, he found that, instead of being seated with the other delegates and representatives in the main ballroom, he was relegated to a seat in the adjoining room where the embassy personnel and diplomatic functionaries of the attendant nations were dining.

There were other small insults to be had, and not at the Sylvans provocation; the Lunderfrau representative, instead of bowing to the Boagan royal in attendance as was the custom, instead offered a handshake. With the cameras present, and forced into the corner, the Boagan had reluctantly accepted. Or what of Produzland and Parthanopia? When asked to present a toast, the Produz ambassador offered a prayer to the lives lost in the airline shot down by Parthonopian SAMs. King Carlo, for the sake of appearances, had even bowed his head.

This, and the plethora of other details and insults, was the great concert of Olympian diplomacy - and in this snowy evening in Karlovice, the waltz was in full swing.

[Tia Regness]

February 23nd 2021

Naval presence in Pyrrenian Bay set to increase

The BMCTP seems intent on delivering an increased Tia Regnessian prescense in the Pyrrenian Bay, a small body of water of the coast of the Kingdom of Parthanopia, after a concerning rise of naval maneuvers conducted out at the Rosal sea by the state of Ackesia. After a poor attempt at a show of strength by Ackesia, which ultimately culminated in the sinking of one of their own museum ships, BMCTP command has deemed it necessary to move an UNREP group into the bay to allow the T.P.K Авангард to continue its operations without the need to visit port to refuel and re-arm.

The UNREP group, consisting of a replacement tanker, a destroyer and a frigate, were dispatched five days ago from Svavodsk port and are now believed to be currently traversing the Inoran Ocean and should be in the bay in the coming days. With the security and defense if its economic partner's now at the forefront of foreign policy, it is unclear as to whether this is the end or just the beginning of the BMCTP's residence in the bay.

[Meronnia]

Personal Correspondence of Maximilien Sardou
To Carlo della Ancona
18th February, 2021

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I was honoured to receive your measured and thoughtful letter last Sunday regarding the comments made by my President. I echo the feeling you have expressed to me that the comments made were unwise, and perhaps poorly considered, taking into account the endangerment of the great work that has been done by both parties to build a new foundation of cooperation and communication between our peoples; a key step forward from the violent competition of positioning that was continental politics in our past.

Know that I was greatly distressed by the thought of the damage these comments may have done to the incredibly valuable working relationship between our administrations. I have been very grateful for the opportunity to work with you personally in the past, to come to mutually agreeable and peaceable resolutions to what may have, in another time, evolved from crisis into conflict.

Please accept my sincere assurances that the government of Meronnia, and myself personally, will remain available - regardless of comments made - to build on the work we have done and secure a better future for our peoples by negotiation and agreement. As you have noted, Meronnia will not be party to the conference hosted in Sylvakia, an unfortunate reality that I and my government must face gracefully. As we will not be party to any agreement that results from that conference, I hope that representatives from our administrations might work on a bilateral basis to come to a solution on the present issue under discussion that is mutually satisfactory, and renders sanctions and other such actions unnecessary.

I recognize your frustration with the comments made by President Lajoie, and I sympathize with the historic basis that invites anger at this invalidation of legitimacy. I am also quite confident that you understand the Meronnian Constitution and Fundamental Laws well enough to know that the First Deputy and their governing ministers may advise the decisions of the President on foreign affairs, but have no basis for forcing their hand.

Cordialement,
M. Sardou

[Lunderfrau]

The Salzewinde Times

2nd Squadron deploying to Western Rosel to secure “Lunderfrausian Interests” in Area

I.M.S Caroline II and the rest of the 2nd Sqaudron seen leaving the Esketres for open Ocean; heading for the Rosel Sea

February, 24th 2021

Sandusky, Lunderfrau-

With tensions rising in the Rosel, the Kaiserliche Marine announced today that it was sending the 2nd Squadron to the Western Rosel to secure Lunderfrausian Interests in the area. The announcement comes just days after communication was lost with Oceanian research vessel Planet and its escort Roswell. Sources from the Associated Press Reported February 21st that the ships had encountered a “Standoff” before falling silent.

At a press conference at Kaiserliche Marine Headquarters in Sandusky, Lady Freida von Tirpitz, First Sea Lady of the Admiralty made clear the intention of the move.

“With the arrival of the TPK Авангард from Tia Regness, the ever lurking threat of Parthonopian Subs and now the dissapearence of two Oceanian ships in the Rosel; it is clear that free passage of the Rosel is at risk. The deployment of assets is both a deterrent to would be aggressors of Lunderfrausian shipping and added protection for our merchant vessels in the Rosel.”

According to the Kaiserliche Marine, all 11 Ships apart of the 2nd Sqaudron will be making the trip to the western Rosel. According to publicly available records, the current makeup of 2nd Squadron includes 8 Frigates, 2 Destroyers and a Single Helicopter Carrier. In addition to sending the Sqaudron, the Matriarchy has also requested docking rights from the Kingdom of Produzland, which will likely prove critical to extending the duration of the mission.

[Nova Sylva]

The officer fussed with the high, officer style collar of his deep brown uniform, ensuring the badges of his Army branch were attached tightly to their holding pins in the Lunder style. His daughter and guest sat aside him in the rear of the Grenzarian staff car, one of their young NCOs behind the wheel, piloting the armored BMW through the cold capital city streets. His guest wore a cherry-maroon ball gown, a white woolen coat over the top shielding her from the harsh Sylvan temperatures.

The pair of Grenzarians had been invited to Sylvakia more as a propaganda move then with any real hope of making amends. With the amount of atrocities committed by both sides - Sylvans and Grenzarians alike - during the Rozpad War, it was unlikely the two nations would ever be friends. Instead, the Grenzarians intended to do their best to flounder the Sylvan's moment. The man of the pair in the car, Colonel Yohan Marius of the Royal Grenzairan Army, wore an assortment of seven medals with the last medal an award for superior service, pinned onto the Colonel's chest by the King himself. It was a medal of appreciation for the Colonel's command and control of his army during a cross border raid earlier that year that had seen two Sylvan villages burned. The blood-red Active Service Medal on his chest with the conflict emblazoned on a clasp, four spots up on the ribbon, was sure to be a slap in the face to any Sylvan.

The lights of the city flittered through the car, putting a shine over the man's various awards and the oval patch of the unit he commanded upon his right shoulder. His daughter, with black curled hair falling alongside her face, touched up her makeup in the other side, excited about a formal outing and break from her studies, a Master's in security and counter-terrorism.

The Grenzarian presence at this event wasn't light, despite the animosity between Sylvakia and Grenzaria. The Ambassador, Julian Erreas, would be in attendance, as would some other Grenzarian personalities and interested business parties. For the Colonel, his attendance was at the request of the King as a soldier.

Melissa Marius, the 26 year old girl from the southern coastal province, was not used to the cold. A chill in the air was replaced with the fantastic heating in the BMW, and her coat would have to do from here to the first venue. The car had stopped, with a well-armed Sylvan soldier checking identification documents before allowing their passage through the first of a few checkpoints. Some thought the security measures an annoyance, a hinderance to the diplomacy taking place; but in all reality, and as both Marius' knew, a diplomatic meeting of this size and prestige hadn't happened...ever. Security wasn't just necessary, it was paramount. What bothered Melissa wasn't the security itself, but the fact that it was all so...Sylvan. Across the city, Sylvan flags. Sylvan banners, hanging from every street. And a massive show of military force - tanks and armored vehicles on street corners, and soldiers marching in perfect order. What Melissa and her father knew, and hated, was that this was Sylvakia's moment - not Grenzaria's. It hadn't been Grenzaria that called the Pan-Liran Congress, it had been her rival. And as a spurn, a yet subtle turn of the knife, the Grenzarians had been invited to gawp at the displays of Sylvan military prowess and diplomatic achievement.

The BMW rolled gently to a stop some minutes later, the military man placing on his peaked cap and taking his daughters arm, laughing with her up the stairs to the baroque, yet modest, palace. The household staff took his cap and her coat, and led the pair delicately into the magnificent and well-lit Szeychenyi House. The atmosphere was picking up, and household staff milled about with canapes and champagne of the finest variety - the Grenzarian pair took a glass each and looked about. It was a wide ranging crowd. There were some military men, like Marius himself. Sailors and start-up founders, government guests and diplomatic corps members were all equal here - the Masters Student, beautiful and resplendent in the simple gown, every bit the VIP as the Ambassador or the silicon billionaire.

"If there's one thing about these damn Sylvans," the Colonel said to his daughter, looking down to match her eyes, "You'll see they're compensating strength with burly security theatrics. If they had half this equipment at the border, I wouldn't have these medals."

No, the Grenzarians were a much simpler people. A simple gown for the lady, and the high-collared black and brown uniform for the Colonel, epaulettes on each of his shoulders. He was the one that wore a medal for service, with the pride of any local General, and could regale them with real, on-the-ground stories of commanding the hardest regular soldiers in the Grenzarian Military. He was the one that travelled across the world on the nation's dime, seeing foreign capitols and touring with platoons of men to train with allied nations, fielding intelligence and training reports covertly back to Grenzaria - something she shouldn't really know, but she could keep her dad's secrets.

The two entered the room, talking to each other, as the other delegates made their way inside.

---

This close to the city, a sky full of stars was a rare treat. President Cernik took the sight as a positive sign. There was much riding on the success of this night. If all went well, there would be friendships made, both in the personal and diplomatic senses. Since the Rozpad War and the collapse of Panlarova, the successor states - Sylvakia, Vlachavia, Grenzaria - had been relegated to a status of pawns in regional power politics, but Cernik hoped above all to change that. As such, a sizable fortune had been spent transforming Kralovice from the capitol of Sylvakia into the meeting grounds of the Liran Congress. This is what hosting the Olympic Games must have been like, he remembered thinking, as aides and staffers had asked for his input over color schemes, banner locations, parade times, the whole of it. All of this had been done in under two weeks, to present Sylvakia's best foot forward to the international community. Motor traffic had been restricted; homeless people jailed; potholes filled; hotels emptied - all to host arguably the most inclusive diplomatic event of the century.

But regardless of the inclusivity of it all, the lines had been drawn already. The Lunder diplomats had begun speaking with the Grenzarian ambassador; the Vlachavians looked almost pathetic as they were nearly attached to the hip to their Ackesian 'allies'. Other blocs, more interesting ones, had also formed - near the orchestra, a Boagan royal danced with a Parthonopian; and a Winstian with a Produese. As the President looked around, he breathed a sigh of relief - so far, it was all going splendidly.

Planning was where Vaclav Cernik shined - numbers, charts, organization and logistics. The conference, planned to the minute, was evolving around him like a play he had written in his mind - which in some ways, he had. But he wasn't just a Brigade executive officer anymore, where he could retreat to the safety - the comfort - of such things. He was President. And being President also meant playing the part. It was a role that he hadn't grown into, and feared he never would. Where some people feared claustrophobia and a deafening quiet, the introverted mind of Vaclav proffered the comforts of solitary thought. But this - a formal ball and dinner where charisma and small talk were the name of the game above numbers and figures, he struggled. And he hoped, he prayed, that it wouldn't show. He motioned to his aid, who in turn motioned the orchestra, who, ending Shostakovich's Waltz #2, played the opening hymm of 'Farewell to Sylvakia', the national anthem. A few seconds later, it was quiet. Cernik picked up the microphone as the lights dimmed, and began to speak.

"Ladies, gentlemen - colleagues and diplomats. Many of you I have not had the pleasure of speaking to in person before. But let me be - if not the first, then, at the very least the most sincere, in welcoming you to Kralovice."

There was some scattered applause as Cernik took a deep breath. He could feel the sweat on his neck and below his arms. He hated this. But it was what must be done, for both his own future, and that of his beloved country's.

"I wish the circumstances of this conference were better. But, as I speak, naval standoffs in western Rosel fill the headlines, Parthonopian military capabilities dominate the news, and our nations draw ever closer to the one thing which none of us desire - war. War is not a word that I speak lightly, as here in Sylvakia, we have had our fair share. We know the real cost of conflict - and it is not measured in international prestige, expanded borders, or martial prowess. It is measured in the dead and the dying. We as statesmen take a solemn oath - one I consider to be sacrosanct - that we represent the interests of our nations - and more specifically, their people - first. We are elected, appointed, or born into a role that makes us responsible for the lives of millions of people, who care not about flashpoints and international incidents, but of their families, and the simple continuation of their way of life. War, on the other hand, is the antithesis of that life. Death, economic ruin, and tragedy are directly countered to what citizens want. I speak not of the citizens of Lunder, with their wonderfully tall women, or the men of Parthonopia with their proud martial tradition. Or even to the Boagan, who adheres to a nobility and chivalry most of us have long forgot. I speak instead of the citizens of Lira, the continent that you and I share. It is in this spirit that I speak to you today. Not as a Sylvan, but as a Liran. If we are truly to guide the ships of state, we must avoid the pitfalls of historical rivalries, petty grievances, and whatever else separates us. I invite you all to approach this Congress instead as citizens of the continent which you inhabit, and with the goal to leave it a better, safer, more prosperous place than from whence we found it. Cooperation, not division, must be the guiding light of this conference. Working hand in hand, and at this truly historic summit, we will work to forge a new path for this continent."

Vaclav could feel his heart pounding in his chest. All the eyes of the ballroom - filled with the most important men and women in the world - staring at him. Not transfixed by his words, but unraveling them and dismantling them in a fashion more akin to dogs hunting prey. They were looking at him, their supposed equal, and wondering if he was up to the task. He missed a breath. In the following moment of weakness, he stuttered, then stuttered again. His heart pounded even faster.

"I'm, I'm sorry, friends, my, uhm...my...Lunder is rusty at best. As I was, uhm, saying, uhm." Fuck me. "I hope - I wish - that, uhm, the omens of war and animosity....All that planning, all that organization, down the drain. You clutz! All you had to do was remember the words! Focus, Vaclav. ...that have called this conference, I mean congress, together, are soon replaced by the hopeful future that cooperation and diplomacy will bring. Thank you."

The applause, at least, was polite. Cernik handed the microphone back, and taking a glass of champagne from a tray, swallowed it in a single gulp.

[Parthonopia]

Castello d'Cormor
Ancona
18th of February, 2021

"We need to respond with a show of force and if not that a reasonable defensive maneuver," The First Admiral pounded his closed fist into the open palm of his other hand, attempting to emphasize the importance of what he was saying. The plethora of medals on his chest shook with the impact. He stood in front of a large flat screen, green and red dots floating across a blue scape representing the western end of the Rosel Sea. At the top and bottom of the screen were a section of the landmasses on either side of that great body of water.

Carlo reclined into his tall leather rolling chair at the end of the table. His left hand was on his chin, thumb rubbing his Adam's apple while his pointer finger was curled over his lips. He tapped a pen on a notebook in front of him while he listened to the top men of the military he built blather on relentlessly. Between him and First Admiral Walter Romolo di Giambattista was almost all of the top commanders of one of the most formidable armies on the continent. Recent events had called for a joint session of these men and the King, threats from the South growing closer while war seemed to loom in the North. The sabre rattling reverbarting from almost all of the highest offices throughout Lira could be heard echoing across the world.

“The TPK Abahrappa is in our territorial waters off the coast near Piombino,” First Admiral di Giambattista continued, furrowing his brows as he pointed to the map just west of the Produese coast, “the Tian follow up can deploy somewhere around here within less than two weeks. There is already chatter that the Lunders may throw some ships in the mix, intel is that some of their 2nd Squadron is doing maneuvers in the Eskretes near Sandusky. They may or may not send the whole deal down by the end of next week.”

It was perplexing to Carlo how far it all had escalated in such a short time. One little thing, one step too far. Of course he had known this going in, those missiles had been in storage for more than half a year. His goal was to poke the continent and they certainly had stirred after. There was no going back now to the timid peace that he had been enduring since his trip to Senone, but he was still committed to ensuring that this flexing did not prematurely lead to the war that was both immanent and fleeting. Now there were warships piling up in the Western Rosel to join an expanding stand off. He needed to pump the brakes and cool off the situation before it became worse.

The First Admiral was fumbling with a remote, stopping to squint his eyes and hold it up close to his face. He was dressed the part of a seasoned naval commander but the truth was that if not for his father he would never have had the job. The job did not exist only a few years ago and the thought of a Parthonopian Navy was a bit of a joke among the rest of the military commanders in the armed forces that Carlo had rapidly accumulated.

“Ah, here we go,” he was finally able to make the graphic he wanted to show appear, a curved dotted line leading from northern Meridiq to Porto Lafina. “This is the most likely course that they will be taking to transport the WMDs. RESP activity in our region is drastically increasing,” he pointed to Aloisio, “the Porduzi are on high alert and have been constantly moving around down here since the Abahrappa arrived. I don’t think I am alone in saying this, but we may be too far gone to reel this in and it may be time to respond with escalation of our own.”

“I will know when the time for that has come, Walter, and it is not now,” Carlo sighed heavily after replying. The First Admiral was eager to play with his new toys, he wanted to send his submarines into the area and prepare to enter the fray. There was not a chance he would allow this to happen yet. It had taken years to make what little he could field now, all of the naval production effort focused on an attempt to efficiently pump out subs. There were three in the water now, a fourth near completion, with four to eight more completed a year. This was only helpful if war did not break out now.

Field Marshal Gianmarco Francostara butt in, his head cocked to the side and speaking with an inflection, “Perhaps it is too far. Those nukes in LM are just too big a threat, too close to home. The First Admiral surely could at least harass the shipment, if not sink them but long enough to hold them up while we crush them on land.”

The commander of the Esercito dell’Ovest, Field Marshal Roberto Pelnorio, let out an exaggerated chuckle before sarcastically snipping, “Perhaps that would be a good idea if the EdGM was up for it. We all saw how the Weeklong went.”

There was an even split in the response of the crowd to Field Marshal Pelnorio’s remark, half the room releasing a near silent laugh and the other half nervously looking down at the table or their feet. Only Carlo, Grand Marshal Ongaro and Field Marshal Di Pietro did not respond that way. Carlo, beginning to seeth on the inside, remained collected while Di Pietro, whom Pelnorio’s comment was a dig at, glared at the man.

Ongaro was quick to intervene, practically growling at Pelnorio, “And are you so confident in your men, Field Marshal, on the Porduzi front? We’ve gone over the battle plans for that contingency many, many, many a times. You know what it will take to reach our goals there. Complete mobilization on a massive front. Such speed that needs to be had there, unless we want to get stuck. That would of course cost every other army on every other front. You’re feeling confident, Field Marshal? Really anxious to get it started?”

Pelnorio was knocked down a few notches but retained enough posture to respond, “Grand Marshal, sir, this was known from the start and that is why you placed me there. I am not eager to start a war, sir, but if one is inevitable… We had always planned on striking first when the signs were clear it was no longer avoidable, I believe we have reached that point.”

“Maybe it is time,” Field Marshal Marino Cantoforza of the Esercito della Guardia Parrania chimed in, “the Meronnians are riled up. They're swelling in Cisparrania and have been in the process of recalling the Foreign Legion from abroad to start taking up defensive positions at home. Lajoie is a madman but he seems intent on getting it started as well.”
The second opinion openly voiced by the land commanders to perhaps kick off what they had all been preparing for years for had set off a bit of a rumble across the table. Whatever remaining Field Marshals that had not already spoken up felt it necessary to add their piece of information and talk up the status of their army.

Carlo let them all bicker amongst themselves for a moment as he contemplated quietly to himself. He watched on and took note of their comments, gestures and facial expressions. The personal tiffs and rivalries between the many generals were apparent as they tried to cut down eachother’s egos and stroked their own. It did not matter to him what they had to say at this point, any war plans they were rambling about had already been gone over dozens of times, he had read all of them and been instrumental in planning a few.

“That's enough!” Carlo bellowed after he had heard as much as he wanted to. The room fell silent and all heads were turned towards him. He stood from his chair methodically and saluted the gathered men before gesturing towards the door with an open hand, “Please, give us the room. Ongaro, Francostara,” he turned around to Hugo Baldassaro who had been standing there silently against the wall behind him the whole time, “and you Signore Baldassaro, take a seat.”

Everyone shuffled out of the room save for the three he had asked to stay behind. Hugo unbuttoned his jacket as he sat down immediately to Carlo’s left. Ongaro and Francostara moved up on the table to be to his right. He sat back down and folded his hands together on the table, panning across the three of them, looking back and forth.

He deliberately cleared his throat and leaned in, “This is a fucking mess.”

Ongaro sighed and leaned back in his, squeezing his forehead, “They're not wrong, sir, but they are not right. This is on the verge of becoming untenable, and once it is we have to strike, but we’re not there yet.”

Carlo smacked the table and scowled, “Tell me something I don't already know! But if that fucking bitch Tourne gets those into LM is well fucking past untenable. Now, yes, yes, I’m sure they are all so prepared for whatever may come, but, and this is a very significant but, it doesn’t matter how prepared they are if we have to take on the whole goddamn continent by ourselves! I need time, some more, and if bullets start flying now we are not in the position I want us to be. I’ll be in Karlovice in a week, for Beo’s sake! I know what needs to be done to reel this all back but that is not possible when ever one and their fucking grandma has got fingers on the trigger.”

Everyone nodded in agreement, Carlo turning his head to single out Ongaro and question him, “What is the story with Marshal Bichieri? Isn’t he supposed to be dealing with threats coming from Meridiq? What the fuck did I sign off all that funds and equipment for if he just stuck with his thumb up his ass in Irpan and we are blindsided here?”

“Your majesty, there is a lot of ground to cover there and a lot of different groups to be dealing with. He is trying to get up to Beoamedia to coordinate with local intelligence on when and where the Wintonians are sending those ships from but it may take longer than we have.”

“I’m done waiting,” Carlo scoffed and turned to Baldassaro, “I know what needs to be done from here. Hugo I want Sultan Azgha on the phone immediately, we have much to discuss.”

Hugo stood from the table and nodded before silently departing to get the communications moving. As he exited he left the door open as another uniformed man approached and rapped on the wooden door with his knuckles with some trepidation. Carlo shook his head and waved the man in as he beckoned for him. The man, General Omar D’Agatino of the EdP, stood just past the threshold and nodded reverently to the King.

“What is it General,” Carlo inquired with a tone of impatience.

General D’Agatino cleared his throat, “He’s here sir, Major Tellera-Gariboldi.”

A devilish grin appeared on Carlo’s face and some of the rage that had filled his complexion began to dissipate. “Send him in, thank you General” he said with some faint excitement. He spun his chair back to the two remaining men at the table and smiled, “Grand Marshal, I’ve got it from here. Go make sure your Marshals are in order and ready in case of the worst case scenario, but stay close.”

Ongaro stood up and left the room behind General D’Agatino, Field Marshal Francostara still in his seat with an inquisitive look upon his face. Carlo watched them go and after the two had he turned back to Francostara, “You’re his commander, so I’d like you to be here for this. You remember his father, right? Gianfranco...”

[Parthonopia]

OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE OF THE KING OF PARTHONOPIA

---

---

From the Desk of King Carlo I

OPEN COMMUNICATION
Accessible Peace and That Which Denies It
22nd of February, 2021

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,

Dear esteemed leaders of Lira and the world; Peace within our time is attainable. Not only is it obtainable, immeasurable prosperity for all within our grasp, but peace within our time is guaranteeably. This is a certainty that we all may profit from and revel in but only if it we allow for it to happen. Peace and prosperity may be shared by all but denied by a complicit few. Peace is what is sought after by the many people who long for it, wish for its continuance, but can be so easily ruined by such a miniscule, warmongering, smallminded few.

I look upon the Western Rosel, once a great majestic body of water that hosted the many merchant ships that traversed it on a crucial leg of the circular Inoran trade, transferring commodities, culture and philosophies alike from Nori to Meridiq to Lira and so on. This early symbol of peace and prosperity between peoples the world over passed through the same waters that warships now patrol. The Kingdom of Parthonopia posses no warships nor intentions for war even, yet vessels of RESP nations breathe down the neck of our allies. The show of force is disappointing and has had no success in its purpose to frighten or bully me or my nation. It is only fitting that those who have for so long trumpeted for peace show their blatant hypocrisy by pointing their guns at those who genuinely call for it. Some are more responsible than others in perpetuating the awful standstill against cooperation and further discord among our nations. My answer to all, however, at this time remains the same as it has been; Parthonopia will stay the course, we will not be bullied, we will not be pressured. Peace is the goal that we are after, as we all should be, but not at the expense of our freedom or prosperity.

The repugnant escalation of aggressions over the course of the past two weeks is truly despicable. I contemplate what has transpired and must remind myself that this has only occurred in the matter of days, not months, not years. I find myself struck with unanswerable questions that I must ponder. Attempting to fathom the intentions or the mindset apparent in such belligerent despots whose only goal is to discredit the legitimate and to destroy that which they do not own. The joyous return of my beloved daughter, Queen Annamaria, is at hand now; I am both graced and pleased to host her and the revered King of Boaga, Erramun XII, whom I am honored to call a son. Yet at a time that should be of celebration, I am begrudgingly sidelined, distracted from the revelry and instead focused upon attempting to engage with the uncompromising. Just this week, more warships come to the waters and prepare for a slaughter. Blood has already been shed. A defenseless research vessel of Oceanian origin, the Planet, and its escort the OSS Roswell were forced into a standoff by brutish RESP naval forces. Neutral, innocent, and noncombative ships were apprehended yesterday somewhere near the Porduzi Aloisio Island and these ships remain missing. Where is the outrage? Where are the consequences?

It is questionable how something so little as a parade can ignite such brinksmanship within hostile and hotheaded leaders. The term leader is laughable to describe those who are so willing and so quick to push for annihilation on this level. Is the globalist's grasp on the order of things slipping so tremendously that the equipment of the Parthonopian Armed Forces is so frightening?

The most disturbing revelation of these current turbulent times we find ourselves in is the willingness of the Wintonians to escalate. The disregard for human life is excruciatingly high. The announcement by President Tourne, a military dictator at the helm of a state purporting to be Revolutionary, is appalling. Nuclear weapons are easily the single most grave threat to human life not only in Lira but the world over. The continued proliferation of potentially world ending weapons by such a horribly unstable nation is already a cause for concern. The inability for this nation to keep track of such weapons, as was laid bare by the loss of fifteen missiles which the whereabouts of are unknown, is even more concerning. The slanderous, poorly laid attempts at claiming the Kingdom was behind this theft has fallen flat, as such a falsehood should. My concern now, is the intent to place similar weapons in a Parthonopian state, aimed at Parthonopian people.

Let me be clear, this level of aggression is unacceptable and will not be met with inaction or further attempts at diplomacy.

A demonstration of my faith in cooperation, peace, prosperity, and, now an even more important goal, nonproliferation, I extend an invitation to the government of Oceania. A shining beacon of stable government committed to the betterment of its people and of the world, I feel obligated to accept the offer of their unbiased inspectors to come to the great Parthonopian Kingdom. My people and I have nothing to hide, certainly not weapons of doom like that which the Wintonians aim at us. While the accused should be offered the decency of innocence until proven otherwise, we sadly do not live in such a world. This is an opportunity to prove that the lies spread are just that. There are no nuclear weapons and the Wintonians lost theirs somewhere else.

The Kingdom is willing to engage in good faith and willing to turn this tide around and prevent the impending war that some seem so eager to create. The ships have not yet departed, Ms. Tourne, and I pray you have the good sense and courage to rethink what you have proposed. The Pan Liran Congress is set to occur in just mere days. The first of its kind, this is an opportunity to unite our many fractured peoples onto a cause greater than ourselves, greater than our agendas and ideologies, greater than our nations. I intend to work with all of you and to compromise, fully expecting reciprocation in the cooperation I am willing to extend.

Sincerely,

Sua Maestà,
Carlo I

[Vienna Eliot]

Readout of President Danielle Martinez
Call with King Carlo of Parthonopia

President Danielle Martinez spoke today with King Carlo of Parthonopia. They discussed both countries’ commitment to the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, agreeing to have their teams coordinate the visit of scientists to Parthonopia to inspect claims of nuclear capabilities. They also agreed to explore strategic stability discussions on a range of arms control and emerging security issues. President Martinez made clear that the Republic will act firmly in defense of its national interests in response to actions by Parthonopia that harm us or our allies. She also reaffirmed the Republic's firm support for Arideo's sovereignty. The two leaders agreed to maintain transparent and consistent communication going forward.

###

[Parthonopia]

February 24, 2021

International News
Article by
Pepi Panforte

Successful Boagan Royal

State Visit in Ancona,

Royal Families Heading

Karlovice Tomorrow

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King Erramun XII, Queen Annamaria, Princess Charlotte and Crown Prince Eneko.

King Erramun XII, his wife Queen Annamaria (King Carlo’s first daughter), their children Princess Charlotte and Crown Prince Eneko have enjoyed a four day visit to the capital of Parthonopia, at King Carlo’s behest. The Royal Family of Boaga arrived in Ancona on February 20, greeted at Ancona Premier Airport with much pomp and spectacle. The entire Royal Family was present there alongside King Carlo to greet the return of their family, save for King Filip who was in Burlon at the time meeting with the Porduzi government.

Princess Charlotte, age 4, and Crown Prince Eneko, age 2, enjoyed spending time with their grandfather and posed for several photographs for the media. The royal children enjoy widespread popularity in Boaga, and by all accounts are good, well-mannered and gentle children.

It was a joyous reunion for King Carlo and his grandchildren, whom he has not seen since a visit to Boaga shortly after Prince Eneko’s birth. This is the first time King Erramun and Queen Annamaria have visited Ancona since King Carlo’s December 2018 coronation so naturally there was much celebration in store for their return. An extravagant galla was hosted the first night in the Castello d’Cormor to celebrate the homecoming.

The King of Boaga spent a few minutes with the press, and addressed reporters about his thought process during the recent firestorm surrounding Parthonopia. “I never used to get too wound up or worried about things,” King Erramun explained. “But now the smallest little things, you well up a little more, you get affected by the sort of things that happen around the world or whatever a lot more, I think, as a father. Just because you realize how precious life is and it puts it all in perspective. The idea of not being around to see your children grow up is horrible. Family is everything. That’s why we are here, and that’s why I do the things I do now.”

The pivotal state visit comes at a time when diplomatic relations are uneasy at best across the continent following the Ancona military parade at the beginning of the month. After a series of unnecessary condemnations and subsequent escalations, there has been a slew of international summits and bilateral talks taking place throughout Lira. The timing of the Boagan stay in Ancona coincides with another state visit that the Kingdom is taking part in and only a week before delegations from a majority of Liran states will be meeting in Karlovice, Sylvakia.

King Filip returned to Ancona from his diplomatic mission to Produzland in King Carlo’s place midway through the Boagan visit. It has almost been a year since the former Prince has been back home since his marriage last summer to the Queen Amadalia II of Arideo and his subsequent coronation as King of Arideo. On February 18 King Filip had departed from Gvardio de Montento and landed in Burlon to meet with King José III and Prime Minister Bonadeo. The hastily organized meeting had initially called for King Carlo to attend however he was unable to do so, already committed to hosting the Boagans.

King Filip appeared in several photoshoots and press conferences while in Burlon, alongside the Porduzi government officials. The nature of the meeting has been kept relatively quiet and little has been alluded to as far as was what topics were discussed. King Filip did make a public statement, afterwards in Ancona, that it was “a pleasure to have been [in Burlon], but I’m afraid to say that there is still a long way to go before Partho-Porduzi relations are on a better footing.”

The relationship between Boaga and Parthonopia is relatively new, stemming from the marriage of the then Crown Prince Erramun of Boaga and Carlo’s daughter Annamaria. Before that, relations were often described as poor, as Parthonpia had often enjoyed close ties with nations Boaga historically opposed, such as Lunderfrau, while Boaga was allied with Parthonopia’s traditional enemies, such as Produzland and Winst. King Erramun’s mother, Princess Isabel of Produzland, was said to have been opposed to the initial relationship between Erramun and Annamaria for those reasons.

Despite several protests and past cool relations, the union of King Erramun and Queen Annamaria has led to a renewed investment in friendly cooperations between our two nations. Public statements from both governments have signalled that King Carlo and King Erramun are on a similar page and have taken a similar stance towards the ongoing situation. Following the conclusion of this visit both Royal families will be heading to Karlovice for the first Congress of Lira.

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[Meronnia]

Nouveau Magazine

PRESIDENT'S CONVERSATION LEAKED
^{February 23, 2021}
President Lajoie was strongly critical of foreign partner Lykens.

(NM) —

DRAMA in the president's palace, as a recording of Lajoie's conversation with advisors about the international response to the nuclear crisis leaks to the public. The President used strong language to criticize other nations, including the Federal Republic of Lykens, a Mukal democracy that Meronnia has worked with in the past to promote international liberty. The President's office declined to comment on specifics of the leak, simply stating that passion should be expected behind closed doors in government, and that not everything said should be assumed to be representative of national policy. A transcript of the leak follows:

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Lajoie: Fucking idiots. Dumb motherfuckers! Waving their dicks around in the Rosel like that gets anything done. Why does Carlo give a shit if there's five navies sitting off his coast when they're too pussy to make a fucking move, huh?

Tiphaine: Yes, Augustin.

Lajoie: It's no wonder that stupid ass Oceanian ship got caught up in something. Hell, it's a fucking wonder there hasn't been a traffic jam with all those fucking bitches trying to look big and tough without doing anything useful! Fucking children.

Tiphaine: Yes, sir.

Lajoie: I mean, for Beo's sake, the fucking fascists sent a battleship! FUCKING. FASCISTS. IN THE ROSEL! Fat old mafia thug son of a bitch sitting on his ass smoking cigars in Ancona wasn't bad enough, he's throwing in with the worst scum of Olympus and they're all just watching them send a fucking dumbass monstrosity from centuries past to terrorize fishers.

Vaillancourt: Monsieur President, this session-

Lajoie: Don't get me started on Michelle Tourne's buffoonery. This was a fucking easy win! I couldn't have ever imagined how she could spin this to make herself look like the bad guy. She snatched defeat out of the jaws of fucking victory! Typical fucking Wintonian arrogance. But you know the point-

Beaux: Yes.

Lajoie: The point is, dumb as rocks as it was to do it right now, of all times, it's certainly no business of Kenneth fucking Diaz's what happens between Winst and Lafida-Marcomer.

Beaux: Sir-

Lajoie: Can you believe this sword-swallowing whore? What the fuck happened to Lykens. They used to stand for something, you know! Back when Meronnia was still working out whether or not shooting natives was good or bad, they had a fucking clue. Apparently they fucking lost it since then. They got soft, that's what it is. Fucking cuddling with the communists in that bullshit do-nothing union they like to parade around. Dumb motherfuckers. They see dipshit Emperor Salus cuddling up with FUCKING. FASCISTS. Stealing nuclear weapons, like he's actually the fucking villain of a spy movie like he wishes he was, and they point their finger at the bitch trying to stop civil war round two in Silvus!

Vaillancourt: Yes, Monsieur President, this-

Lajoie: What did that sheep fucker say, let me find it. "The Federal Republic will not allowed the Parthonopian Kingdom to be bullied." BULLIED, for Beo's sake! Diaz thinking he's the god damned world police, barely passing muster as fucking world hall monitor. Boo fucking hoo. I'd like to see Lykens manage a fucking cunt with an army and delusions of grandeur on their border and then see how they feel about fucking bullying - give it a decade and they'll fucking have that with the damned communists unless they start growing their balls back and facing their problems head on.

Tiphaine: Sir.

Lajoie: No pissing competition in the fucking Rosel. No fucking crying about bullying. The fucking tinpot greaser needs to learn a lesson, he's got this far because every fucking one he's stood up to has been chickenshit. Not me, not this administration. I want sanctions ready tomorrow. In a week the fucking rat weasel cunt bitch First Deputy and I are announcing FORCE 2021, and you can fucking bet where training exercises are taking place.

Vaillancourt: Sir, this session is a matter of public record.

---

[Vienna Eliot]

Danielle Martinez

Feb 24

@DanielleMartinezElicia

Sometimes people lose their temper. It's no big deal.

The Associated Press

Feb 24

@AP

Ambassador to #Meronnia Ella Castro: Lajoie's words "threaten the progress we've made in the situation."

Vienna Eliot #StartUp

Feb 24

@Vienna

i'm staying outta this one