Pardesian News Network (Closed; Attn Pardes)

by **Western Confederation** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 4:01 pm

50 years since the moon landing, what now?

50 year anniversary of the Zeus 4 landing on the moon. SPAWN: “The moon landing was an important milestone, but we have to look beyond and our next objective is exploring new planets.”
Frank Port, fport@en.wst — (Eagle News)
^{March 22, 2013 | Old Lake, State of Montgomery, Western Confederal States}

_{Cpt. Nick Rogers saluting in front of the Western 7-star.}

Old Lake, State of Montgomery, WESTERN CONFEDERAL STATES - It dates back 50 years when the crew of Zeus 4 touched lunar ground. A multinational endeavour in which the Belfrasian, Belhavian and Western space agencies contributed to an early Pardesi moon mission. Cpt. Nick Rogers’ crew wrote history with an all-time nostalgic phrase: “Our planet is small, but our steps are big”.

Launched in the early 1960’s, the multinational Zeus project allocated Pardesi experts to the headquarters in Old Lake, Montgomery, Western Confederal States. Where day in day out new preparations and calculations were made in a decade of technological innovation, where the SPAWN (Space and Aeronautics for Western Novelties) played a crucial role..

“Our astronauts are tested and examined based on their physical and psychological capabilities, only the best are potentialized for a space flight.” Said SPAWN’s former administrator Greg Palin in 1963 just one year before Zeus 4 succeeded in landing on the moon.

According to opinion polls SPAWN’s involvement reached a certain peak in the 60s-70s. Now, according to many critics, it’s slowly drifting off its course.

Another innovative propulsion method intended for a manned spacecraft is on the march; a nuclear pulse mechanism that allows a spacecraft to use nuclear explosions for thrust. First proto-designs have been drawn out in the 70s.

Despite its efficiency, this was never portrayed on such a large scale and ever since its introduction sparked up controversy as many people were sceptical on the concept, which stayed a theoretical method and will likely remain for the upcoming years.

The SPAWN has, however, based on multiple tests confirmed that risks are minimal. If this 50 year anniversary is going to launch another program that would include the method is still debatable. “The moon landing was an important milestone, but we have to look beyond. Our next goal is exploring new planets. We may be small, but our steps will always be big.”

by **Ulthrani** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 4:28 pm

NEWS FROM ULTHRANNIA

The RCO meets to sign 'Los Reyes Treaty'
Written by: Óscar Rafael Argueta
Outlet: Ulthrannia Today
:7:15PM

Picture taken by Los Reyes Inquirer photographer of delegates

In an auspicious day, members of the Romulă Cooperation Organization met in the capital to sign the Los Reyes Treaty, a treaty the vast majority of the media within the Empire have yet to have any clear information on, despite the meeting being public knowledge. Various officials from the memberstates today have met for the signing of the bill and the only media outlet that was allowed to participate in the signing was the Los Reyes Inquirer.

On 5 February 2014, the leaders of Armavira, Azura, Rodarion, Sturmia, Tarsas and Ulthrannia all signed the Treaty of Romulă, which officially founded the RCO as a successor organization from the PECA. PECA, or the Pardesi Economic Cooperation Agreement, was a economic and cultural pact signed by the nations listed about as a means of fostering stronger relations through commerical and cultural exchanges between each of the member-states. Through PECA, The Ulthrannic government was able to end the many centuries of hatred and disdain between the Enlightened Empire of Tarsas and itself with strong Rodarian oversight. Though the original goal with aligning with Tarsas was to end the current border disputes and finally nationalize the disputed zones to each respective country failed, PECA allowed Ulthrannia to flourish unlike any other time in the modern era and brought peace.

It is widely known that Ulthrannia had desired to turn PECA into something more akin to the Central Defence Initiative (CDI) but until the Treaty of Romulă the memberstates of PECA rejected the notion time and time again and it wasn't until this Summit that the RCO would turn into a military alliance. We interviewed Sebastian Rodriguez Linera, the editor-in-chief of the Los Reyes Inquirer moments after leaving the summit.

"The full name of this 'Los Reyes Treaty' is the Treaty for Mutual Defence and Security, i've been given a warning not to reveal too much about the actual contents of the Treaty until those within the Organization allow the actual content to become public knowledge." Linera said to our reporters at Ulthrannia Today "But essentially, what this treaty does is create a counter-balance to the CDI by creating a mutual defence agreement between member-states of the RCO and allies of certain nation-states within the organization."

Linera went on to describe the feeling that members within the Ulthrannic delegation as being one of great excitement and joy. It is known that Emperor Santiago, Vicar Rojas, Foreign Minister Baldetti and other staff-members of the foreign ministry were there in attendance. Such as jabs between staff-members about how the CDI will be 'quivering in their boots' when this comes out.

What was interesting to note was the attendance of Manuel Cedeno, the Marshal of the Office of Strategic Military Intelligence who was there for reasons unknown.

"He [Marshal Cedeno] walked up to me and we had a general conversation, when I asked what he was doing here all he did was simply laugh, pat me on the shoulder and say 'I'm here to watch history happen' before leaving the building. It was half-frightening and half-intriguing, the first part mainly due to his and his office's reputation and the second part wondering why the Marshall of OSMI was in attendance."

Although Linera didn't get the time to speak with the Emperor as he didn't have time to speak due to making speeches and matters of politics to attend to, he did overhear a conversation between His Majesty and the Vicar "What was also interesting is seeing the dynamic relationship that he [Vicar Rojas] has with the Emperor. After the delegation signed the agreement, I overheard him [Rojas] say to the Emperor 'This will change everything, Your Grace, no question about it' with the Emperor simply replying with an actually genuine smile saying 'No, my friend, this is only the beginning'"

As of writing this article, Emperor Santiago released his public statement to the nation in regard to the Treaty:

"To all loyal children of the Empire;

I have come to announce officially that today, officials from the Romulă Cooperaton Organization gathered today to sign a document that only lights the way for the future of our region and also for our nations. Most of you remember back to 2006, when our nation was recovering from war and the ill-advised ruling of mad men who sought tainted glories and cared not for our nations place in the world. How far we have come as a nation, where today we stand shoulder to shoulder with our brother nations to reinforce the idea made in 2011 where prosperity and peace between all nations can become a reality.

But there are those in distant capitals who look at our dream of a united world with disdain and spite and arrogance. These individuals believe in the same ideas that brought our nation to commit an act of senseless war that nearly tore our nation apart and cost so many lives. These are the same individuals who refuse the laurel wreath and instead hold the bloodied sword as their favoured tool, those who look at peace and spit but look unto war and quiver with delight. These are the same individuals who do not believe in justice, those who can look at wanton slaughter and turn a blind eye at the carnage caused by their neglect and stupidity.

That is why tonight, I call upon Itailia and her governance to bring those responsible for the death and misery that occurred on the 9th of December to justice, true and proper justice. How any nation can allow five hundred thousand deaths to go unpunished is beyond any rational head of government, head of state or anyone with authority or common sense. I also announce that my government recognizes all attempts by those within the Province of Drakkar to separate as legitimate and call upon Archon Caius and those who run your Empire to give those in Drakkar the right to self-determination and allow a referendum to decide whether or not Drakkar can be free or if it wishes to remain with Mother Itailia.

I also announce tonight that I will be sending messages and contacting the heads of state of the Central Defence Initiative and the governance of the Papal Republic of Rodarion for offering the chance for Ulthrannia to mediate peace between both parties the chance to stop any blood from being split before any war even occurs, but on the condition that the Itailian government allows a referendum within the Drakkar Province. Through this, I hope, that Ulthrannia will spearhead the RCO efforts to ensure that our mandate of peace and prosperity can stand above aggression, violence and death. Failure to comply with any of these noble requests shall be met with the swift consequences that is only deserving for those who shun peace, justice and the right to life.

As always my brothers and sisters, May the Holy Messenger guide us on our noble paths and may the Holy Messenger guide our Empire.

"

by **Virana** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 11:52 pm

Liberty Watch releases Freedom in the Region 2014 report
Renowned NGO releases Pardes democracy index on delayed deadline

^{SHARE THIS:}

Kader Tarek (@KaderTarek) and Donald Voortman (@DDVoortman) (UP)
^{March 22, 2014 10:21 PM | Oured, D.A., United Republic of Emmeria}

The Freedom in the Region 2014 report by Liberty Watch. Green nations are labeled as "free", yellow nations as "partly free", and purple nations as "not free" by the organization. Liberty Watch photo

_{S T O R Y H E A D L I N E S}
:· NEW: Liberty Watch releases latest Freedom in
the Region report

:· 18 free, 8 partly free, and 15 not free,
according to Liberty Watch

:· LW Exec. Director: Tyranny still strong, but
liberty still winning

Oured, D.A., UNITED REPUBLIC (UP) — Almost three months after its usual annual deadline, Liberty Watch finally released its yearly Freedom in the Region report, a comprehensive report that indexes, classifies, and extensively describes the progression of democratic institutions throughout Pardes. Liberty Watch, one of the most prominent non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and a leading modern think tank in Pardes, conducts research and advocacy regarding democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of information, Internet censorship, and press freedom.

The report found 18 sovereign states in Pardes to be "free", 8 to be "partly free", and 15 to be "not free", based on an analysis of political liberties.

Traditionally, Liberty Watch's acclaimed Freedom in the Region report, cited by countless journalists, political scientists and analysts, and lawmakers throughout the region, is released by mid-January. The report includes comprehensive discussions on political freedom in each nation in Pardes, including an analysis of major events throughout the past year, as well as a system that ranks each nation's political freedom on a 1-10 scale. The report has been issued since 1953 and has become the staple of Liberty Watch research. Other reports, including on press freedom and freedom of the Internet, are released at separate times of the year.

In 2014, the Freedom in the Region report was delayed from its traditional release date. "Overwhelming developments in Pardes in late 2013 caused us to delay our report in order to cover recent events and their immediate aftermath," Liberty Watch executive director Kurt Walker told reporters. "Many of these events carried well into 2014, which resulted in a three-month delay as we continually analyzed the events and revised our report."

These events include a military takeover of theocratic Rodarion and a radical leftist coup in Azura, both of which occurred towards the end of 2013.

Both Rodarion and Azura dropped significantly on the index. Azura lost a record amount of points, dropping from "free" to "not free" as a result of its recent coup. The report alleged major background influences on Azuran democracy.

"The Komitet's blatant suppression of political freedoms in [Azura] represents the greatest and quickest emerging threat to Pardesian democracy in perhaps all of modern history," part of the report read. "Liberty Watch gained conclusive empirical evidence suggesting the Komitet organization exercises significant political influence on elections for and decisions made by the Saeculum [the people's congress]. The Komitet has transformed the country from a relatively free nation respecting individual rights and freedoms into a police surveillance state, enforcing loyalty and propaganda laws that jeopardize all Azuran democratic institutions."

Most countries did not show many significant shifts in their overall political freedoms rating. The United Republic gained 0.3 points due to "open government" initiatives enacted throughout 2013 by the Hayes administration and expanded in the early weeks of the Vaziri administration, which increase transparency and freedom of information throughout executive bodies and election commissions. These initiatives help offset the significant setbacks the country endured as part of last year's report, which criticized the United Republic's dragnet electronic surveillance programs.

The report finished with a stance that assumed a perpetual conflict pitting liberty against political suppression. "It is clear from any objective analysis that Pardes is sharply divided on a thin line between democratic and tyrannical political forms, particularly due to the prevalence of sovereign states on each extreme," the report read. "As the strengthening of totalitarian regimes confounds with the increase of authoritarian tendencies in liberal democracies, the need for increased statutory protection of absolute individual liberties is imperative, perhaps more so than in history. Open government initiatives in countries like the United Republic and elsewhere serve as positive occurrences representing the revival of liberty before newfound authoritarian tendencies take root, but in many cases they serve as diversions for governments to seize more power while maintaining an illusion of freedom. The elections of classical liberals in top executive positions in the United Republic and Western Confederation are vital developments that have the potential to drastically shift the gradual rise in authoritarianism in the opposite direction, at least in traditional liberal democracies. Unfortunate events in Azura and Rodarion, in both cases where a tyrannical government has forcefully taken control, undermine the recent successes in the United Republic and Western Confederation. It is necessary to conclude that tyrannical forms of government remain powerful and, in some areas, more prominent than democratic administrations, but this trend is gradually shifting towards a new era where liberty is present as the predominant government form, as evidenced by the continued existence of more democratic administrations than tyrannical regimes and the larger geopolitical influence of each respective democracy as compared to oppressive countries."

Poorest report yet?

Rodarian-Emmerian political pundit Peter Alexandrescu lambasted the report as the "worst Freedom in the Region report ever" on his daily WZNN show Peter Politics.

"One would expect after three months of additional delay that Liberty Watch is able to produce a more objective and reliable report for use by political analysts to properly measure the progress of democratic institutions in countries around Pardes," Alexandrescu said on Peter Politics. "But Freedom in the Region 2014 is the most insurmountably subjective report published by Liberty Watch in its 71-year history."

Alexandrescu pointed at the drastic drop in the Rodarian democratic ratings and contrasted it with the relative stability of that in Itailia. "Clearly a nation that allows a massive minority to be mindlessly slaughtered without its perpetrators facing justice is not a democratic system worthy of being considered 'free'," he said, "especially when compared to the effect of a military junta that transforms an obviously oppressive theocracy into... well, an obviously oppressive theocracy."

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

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by **Estovakiva** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 3:05 pm

TVNP Regional

Pardesian-Financial news

Irkana Petroleum Conglemerate welcomes its new partners
"This is a step to establish improved trade relationships and of course partnership with the companies of fellow RCO nations" says CEO of Irkana Conglemerate group, Alexey Borisovich.
^{24-march-2014 | Freja Olaffssen (@FrejaOlaffsen) (TVNP)}

Estovakivan offshore oil and gas platforms operating in the Kraken Sea

Ensomheden Island, district Capital, Stavanger - As the flags of three respected companies waves by the local headquarters of the Estovkaivan state-owned Irkana Conglemerate Group, one can easily take it as a sign of a new economic age on the large island and on which shall in turn influence the millions of people living on Ensomheden Island.

CEO of the Irakana Conglemerate, Alexey Borisovich had this to say regarding the investement and of course the invintation of two well respected and renowned foreign companies during a press conference where representatives of said companies were present. "It is great to see that two well respected companies has accepted our most gracious invitation, which is GrazuHarolamb Energy Corporation from Rodarion and Rajoy Exploración from Ulthrannia. Which will invest in this project and contribute with their expertise in all phases of this project and we are glad to have them aboard our boat as RCO nations."

Economic build up on Ensomheden Island and its waters

The Estovakivan goverment owned Irkana Petroleum Conglemerate and the Rodarian GrazuHarolamb Energy Corporation signed a joint plan to explore a recently discovered oil field some 33km east of Ensomheden Island, the Oil and gas field has been now called Fallende Trolls which is a hint to the cultural heritage and history of Estovakiva.

Two days later, Ulthrannian exploration company Rajoy Exploración also signed a contract granting it full access to the field for definition of the oil fields dimensions. This is the first time that Rajoy Exploraccion has accepted a contract from Estovakiva. Rajoy Exploración was founded in 1980 by said CEO and has grown into a decently sized prospecting company that gets a majority of its prospecting contracts from the Ulthrannic government its current CEO is Carlos Martinez Rajoy, Carlos Rajoy is the ancestor of Martin Rajoy, who is a famous oil tycoon which founded the company 'Rajoy Exploracion'. He had these things to say during the press conference.

"It is a pleasure to begin operations on Ensomheden Island, we are honoured that the Estovakivan government chose our company to spearhead prospecting operations and I look forward to prosperous commercial ties as apart of the RCO's new scheme in this field"

This is part of a long term plan between Rodarion and Estovakiva to build a strong energy partnership, that will see three new refiniries be built in Rodarion to support Estovakia's export of gas to Rodarion and Sturmia, Rodarion also has invested $2.3 billion in Estovakivan gas fields

Increased Military presence on Ensomheden Island

An Estovakivan Federation Soldier patroling the perimeter of a military installation on Ensomheden Island.

Following this economical investement and joint project between Estovakiva and fellow Romulă Cooperation Organisation members, specifically Ulthrannia and Rodarion. Estovakiva has increased the defensive garrison on Ensomheden Island this is tied to the unstability in the Drakkar region and the tense situation between Rodarion and Itailia which is a member of the Central Defense Initiate, the foreign minister has issued a travel ban to regions in both nations.

General of the Army Kamerov Iluyichev has said that the increasement of military perrsonel on Ensomheden Island is purly a defensive measure against any potentional agression and to secure the intrests of Estovakiva on its own soverign soil and of course its economic intrests.

Increased naval and aerial patrols may be expected in the future in the South-Pardesian waters of the Central Ocean and within the Estovakivan island-chains themselves.

Writen by members of the Volostovian Press-team

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©The Volostovian Newspaper(TVNP) 2014

by **The Eagleland** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 9:22 am

BREAKING: Eagleland pledges support towards Itailia.
One million forces are to be prepared for a "possible" military intervention in Itailia's war of national defence.
^{29 March 2014 | By Vasiliki Nefelopoulou (@vasonefel) (ENT)}

President of the Orthodox Federation of the Eagleland, Theodoros Deligiannis, has pledged support for the Italian state in it's current predicament.

Kokkinia, KCT - In light of tensions between Itailia and the militaristic theocracy of Rodarion, the Orthodox Federation of the Eagleland has officially pledged support to the former, as announced by a decision made by the Federal Government today, pending approval from the Federal Senate. The state of Itailia, an ally of the Orthodox Federation from the International Coalition for Expansion (ICE) Alliance, is considered to be, alongside Arthurista, one of the Eagleland's key allies in the region of Pardes.

The Rodarian state, effectively a militarist theocracy, has continuously carried out acts of aggression not only against Itailia, but also on the Central Defence Initiative (CDI), an alliance within the region of Pardes, which several nations, including allies important to the Eagleland, constitute. It's various acts of human rights violations, it's oppressive theocratic policies and it's aggression towards embassies of CDI nations such as Emmeria, have alarmed the Federal Government, which proceeded to a reception of a variety of measures against the rogue theocratic regime.

Via an inter-ministerial decision by the Ministry of Manpower, the Ministry of Merchant Marine and Tourism and the Ministry of Immigration, a visa ban on Rodarian nationals has been introduced as of March 29, effective immediately, until "hostilities between Rodarion and Itailia cease", as mentioned by sources from the Ministry of Manpower, just like Tehraani nationals. All diplomatic relations between the Eagleland and Rodarion will also be ceased on grounds of "unreasonable aggression towards states friendly to the Eagleland", while the Eagleland's harbours are no longer to accept ships registered to Rodarion, unless "exceptional circumstances" occur.

The Federal Government has also announced that a possible deployment of a maximum of one million soldiers is "expected", should hostilities between Itailia and Rodarion escalate further.

"The Rodarian state appears to have no sense of shame for acting like a bully in front of a coalition of states that do nothing to threaten Rodarion's national sovereignty. These measures are taken so as to safeguard our Itailian allies, should the Rodarian menace gets out of control. The Orthodox Federation of the Eagleland is prepared to send a force of a maximum of one million soldiers to the region of Pardes, in this case. Though we believe logic will overcome sensation we must be fully prepared if anything does happen."

The speaker refused to answer any further questions.

Vasiliki Nefelopoulou reported from Kokkinia, KCT. Konstantinos Irakeides contributed to the article from Kokkinia, KCT.

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by **Tarsas** » Wed Apr 02, 2014 1:17 pm

Los Reyes Treaty Signed Amidst Naval Mobilization

Foreign Minister Alrec Severeoth Nimirae has sent word back to the press that Tarsas has signed the Los Reyes Treaty. The treaty is the central determination of future doctrine of the entire Romulă Cooperation Organization and has codified the discussions carried out in Los Reyes. The leaders of Armavira, Azura, Rodarion, Sturmia, Tarsas and Ulthrannia have all confirmed signing the treaty. The Emperor has called a day of national celebration to celebrate Tarsan-Ulthrannia relations finally mending after 2000 years of warfare. The initial massive success of PECA, or the Pardesi Economic Cooperation Organisation, saw Tarsas an eager participant in its successor, the RCO. The organization's greatest accomplishment has been so far to bring peace to Tarsas and Ulthrannia.

A spokesperson for the Ministry held a press conference today to tell us what was public knowledge. "Though I can inform you of little without revealing knowledge best left secret, I can reveal the following to the Empire. We have signed the Los Reyes Treaty, which solidifies the mutual defense portion of the initial agreement between RCO states. We have decided to sign this to counterbalance the imperialistic and overbearing CDI. For too long has the CDI attempted to dominate the region and it is time we put a stop to it." Little other information was given and the conference ended shortly afterwards. Alrec Severeoth Nimirae has announced he will be returning to Tarsas in a week's time.

Other private sources have confirmed that once word reached Tarsas the treaty had been signed, three hundred minelayers and countless submarines have been seen departing Tarsan naval bases and ports for unknown locations. "The minelayers clearly had a full cargo of mines", said an unknown source that works within Marvius. Several naval dockyard workers have revealed that they have seen several of the navy's mightiest cruisers, the Imperator class, being loaded and prepared for war.

The navy's only public statement on the subject was to announce the construction of ten new Imperator class cruisers. Even though the design is an older one, the new cruisers will be updated with newer electronics and weapons configurations, effectively creating a sub class.

by **Valinor1** » Thu Apr 03, 2014 8:47 pm

Royal Treasury Declares '91 Recession Over
Treasury releases records showing a rising growth in the GDP for five quarters

^{SHARE THIS:}

Niels S. Møller (@NielsMøller) (KH)
^{March 22, 2014 10:21 PM | Kavala, Aggronomious, Kingdom of Valinor}

Chancellor of the Treasury Zinon Ioannidis announcing the release Kavala Herald photo

Valtos, Valinor — Chancellor Ioannidis held a mid morning press conference this morning on the steps of the Royal Palace, and to the cheer of the surrounding crowd and his associates standing by his side, he said that the Treasury has released reports that they have confirmed with a multitude of independent organizations that show a steady rise in gross domestic growth over the last five quarters, stating it has grown from 4.31% to the highest in this recently ended quarter of 5.112%.

Chancellor Ioannidis later went on to declare the infamous Great Recession of 1991 to " be thoroughly finished", with the GDP growing by at least 5% and the unemployment rate falling below five percent for the first time in a decade. Ioannidis went on to state that " without the help of our beloved friends in Emmeria, Belhavia, Anikatia and all over the region, we would not have recovered. " Zinion, who is a MP for a district within the Zonai Province, was a long critic of what is now coined Kastros Policy, a doctrine of complete isolationism that was institued by Prime Minister Fatios Kastros in 1989 at the conclusion of the Third Orlessian-Valinese War and was up held by the following three Volus Primus Party governments, until the reigning Destralios Party won the 2010 general elections and ended the policy. Since then, a number of Pardesian companies have slowly help the heavy industry sector recover from the sack and looting it endured during the War, and Treasury estimates put the Kingdom at higher industrial rates then pre-1982 numbers in about six months.

Niels S. Møller contributed to this report.

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by **Virana** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 8:30 pm

Opinion: We must stop the oncoming Tarsan war of conquest
Fighting Tarsan imperialism will protect Emmerian security

Joshua Azizi (OP-ED CONTRIBUTOR)
^{April 5, 2014 10:21 pm | San Loma, SF, United Republic of Emmeria}

Editor's note: Joshua Azizi is a Federalist senator from Sante Fe. All opinions expressed are his own.

SAN LOMA — If President Alex Vaziri isn't calling his friends in Congress every hour to boost defense spending and oil subsidies, he might just be insane.

Let's start with the facts. Tarsas—an empire long governed by neo-Roman expansionists dedicated to establishing an all-encompassing regional hegemony—just signed a mutual defense treaty led by Pardes's resident psychotic Christianist theocracy, Rodarion (a country still living in the Year of Our Lord 1095). Ignoring the fact that the Tarsan state-owned media reported news of the treaty almost two full weeks after Rodarion did (a clear testament to the superiority of Tarsan state press as compared to that in Rodarion), the country's military simultaneously mobilized what Tarsan media called "three hundred minelayers and countless submarines" loaded with a "full cargo of mines" heading to unknown locations presumably in Pardes.

Tarsan government sources called it an action to respond to the "imperialistic and overbearing CDI" that has "attempted to dominate the region." This statement serves as the paragon of Tarsan ignorance. The country calls itself the "Enlightened Empire of Tarsas" (emphasis mine), and its history is filled to the brim with aggressive imperialistic expansion. Want proof? Ask any Ulthrannian that has lived in the past 2,000 years. The predominant public opinion in Tarsas assumes many Middle Eastern countries, who once were part of the empire in an age long past, to be Tarsan territory. A dispute or conflict between Tarsas and any Middle Eastern country is considered to be an internal conflict between the Tarsan empire and one of its satellite states. Tarsas criticizing other countries for "imperialistic" expansion is blindly hypocritical propaganda.

And let's not forget the danger the recent RCO mutual defense treaty represents to the entirety of Near-East Pardes. This danger stems from the radical peculiarity of the treaty in regards to some of the region's greatest powers. A brutal, bloody, 2,000 year long rivalry between two massive empires was supposedly magically resolved by an unforeseen treaty proposed by a deranged man calling himself the leader of Christendom. Any political analyst would predict such a deep-rooted hate to take several miracle generations of gradual reversal in public opinion to deracinate (a reversal which has yet to begin). The unstable peace between Ulthrannia and Tarsas is akin to two archenemies forcibly getting married; while they once attempted to avoid each other, the rash and thoughtless juxtaposition of the two into cooperative positions is openly inviting the collapse of the security treaty and the breakout of a war unrivaled in brutality and bloodshed. Rodarion thought it was, for the first time in years, gaining a stable array of allies; instead, it brought two alpha males into the same wolf pack. The imminent threat of dispute leading to the rise of ferocious conflict is greater than ever as the mutual cultural strife pools within the same international organization.

The stability and security of the Middle East is an additional concern. Of course, the Middle East has never been particularly stable in the modern era, and despite recent conflicts in Talibastain and Alabasta, the region is essentially as peaceful as it has ever been. The Middle East's most vital economic resource is oil; oil powers virtually every industry, particularly in today's industrial and postindustrial economies. If Tarsan expansionism is funneled to the country's south, where a war of conquest would be most economically productive, then the Middle East's shaky "stability" will surely collapse and Tarsas alone will be in control of regional oil production—and thus in control of the region's economy.

These possibilities were surely considered by presidential administrations throughout the past two decades. However, the threat is now imminent. With Tarsas aggressively deploying military forces, the day has come. It's here, President Vaziri, whether you like it or not. And we have the power to stop it and protect our security and that of our allies. The United Republic is a regional heavyweight. We have bases around Pardes; we have extensive diplomatic relationships with countries throughout the region; we have pan-Pardesian force projection capability. Tarsas has none of these. The decisions we make affect all of Pardes. So it's time we put aside the dangerous isolationism and fight once again for what is right.

What the president must do is obvious. Boost defense spending to ensure Emmerian military forces are adequately prepared and equipped to fight the Tarsan military in "flash-fire" conflicts around the Middle East. Expand Emmerian overseas deployments throughout the Middle East to both ensure our commitment to our Middle Eastern allies while deterring Tarsan aggression. Enlarge our foreign development aid to solidify our interest in securing the stability of the Middle East. Provide military grade weaponry and training services to countries at risk of being attacked so they may defend themselves. Increase subsidies to domestic energy firms so they can expand their operations and Emmeria can stop relying on foreign oil.

These measures must be associated with clearly defined restrictions on what we are willing to allow the Tarsans to do. We must lay down the red line and make it clear that stepping over it will lead to severe, crippling consequences for Tarsas. Only then can we ensure the stability of the Middle Eastern economy, and thus the economy of the region—translating to ensuring the security of the United Republic of Emmeria.

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by **Virana** » Sun Apr 06, 2014 5:14 pm

Joshua Azizi @joshuaazizi
15m

Latest from Joshua Azizi. Proud to represent Santa Fe in the United Republic Senate. UR of E.

@PRRB & Cardinal Remus Dragescu: "we do not hear words or statements, we hear plain and simple hypocracy [sic]" Yes, all they have to do is turn on #PRRB. #Rodarion
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by **Pravengria** » Mon Apr 07, 2014 12:22 am

Worry looms over Argent Stock Exchange; Rodarian Crisis

Adrianople, FCP- Stock holders and investors in the Royal Trading Company's Argent Stock Exchange have become ''shaken'' by recent events in Pardes, having now watched for the fourth day in a row a drop in the market over Pravene Oil - The nation's top oil producer for the FCP. Over the past few weeks PAX has watched numerous Pravene Oil share-holders begin to worry over their shares as the situation in Pardes has begun to ''escalate'' amid tensions with Rodarion and other Pardesian nations. The result Chief Economist, Fredrick Allen says, is a 'powder keg for a sudden and dangerous trend'.

''The first thing these share-holders will do is 'panic sell', dump their shares quickly and it'll start of a chain reaction that could have damaging affects on the market and especially on the oil industry.'' Allen said noting the 'Pulsa Incident' in 2013, and what that caused for PAX. In 2013, anger quickly arose over laws and criminal cases that were filed against Rodarian citizens which sparked a public outcry against the Rodarian government in the FCP. Days later, amid public pressure the Parliament ordered for a ''desiste tempore'' order that would temporarily bar Rodarion from receiving Pravene oil in hopes of influencing and swaying the Rodarian government to drop charges on several of it's citizens - charges that both the public and Parliament viewed as ''inhumane''.

As a result, the Royal Navy reported that it tried to stop a Rodarian tanker from leaving port with oil it had received and torpedoed the ship killing several aboard and dumping hundreds of thousands of petroleum into the sea. Rodarian then seized Pravene assets, and Pardes quickly followed with a trade embargo. ''Within a day the oil market dropped abysmally, within the first week the oil market began to crash and finally, four weeks later, Pravengria offered concessions to repair the relationship between the two countries'' Allen said stating that almost 58% of Pravene oil goes to Rodarion.

The Ministry of Defense has also taken notice of the worries, since the Pulsa Incident, oil has started flowing again to the Papal Republic, while pharmaceuticals from Rodation continue to flow back to the FCP. This has created enough worry to grab the MoD's attention on protecting shipping, ''Pravengria doesn't want to get involved with the Rodarian Crisis, but it's becoming a big concern among the MoD over civilian shipping to Pardes, they're vulnerable and it seems almost inevitable.'' Deputy Minister Alexei Romero said in a PNN interview.

''Pravengria's Foreign Policy has shifted to respect regional territory, we can't just move warships in to act as escorts for our tankers without it being considered an act of aggression, but on the other side, our tankers are vulnerable to attack if opposing powers of Rodarion decide to target the Papal Republic's Oil supply, which would mean attacking or blockading our tankers.'' Romero said. Despite the worries, the Foreign Ministry is said to be working on a plea to send to the members of the OPA, a multi-national organisation in Pardes; that Pravene shipping will not become a target of the current situation. ''It's about all we can do right now'' Romero added, Chief Economist Allen also added that ''If our shipping is targeted, and share holders panic and start rapidly selling it will crash the market, not just on oil and the potential to create a domino effect in several regions such as Sondria is a very real threat to our and others' economic stability.''

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by **Itailian Maifias** » Mon Apr 07, 2014 1:18 am

Navy Announces Blockade of Sea of Orlessia
5th Fleet links up with Orlessian, Valinese units, and enforces OPA Resolution 002 towards FCP ships

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Gnaeus Tanicius Vopiscus (@Gnaeus Tanicius Vopiscus)(TH)
^{First Seed 17, 3E5 4:00 AM | Ebonaervon, Itailia}

IPTF as it passes through the Orlessian SeaAP photo

Ebonaervon, Itailia(Herald) — Just a few short days after the conclusion of a rushed and protracted meeting of all members of the Central Defence Initiative, Secretary Zolara has announced that she had deployed the 5th Eastern Blue Fleet and the 12th Western Fleet, normally escorting ships to the Firenze colony outside of Pardes to form a multi-national task force and to enact a blockade along the boundaries of the Sea of Orlessia, and to enforce OPA Resolution 002, which bans trading with Pravengria from any Pardesian member. It remains unconfirmed that this was done to hurt Rodarion, which receives 58% of all FCP oil, but Zolara insists it's time to enforce the law.

The 5th Eastern Blue Fleet is the third largest top tier unit within active service with the Itailian Navy, consisting of a total of more then three hundred combat ships, the Fleet is infamous throughout the Empire for it's combat service, earning high honours in the First Ulthrannic War, the Saladian campaign, and more then nine other operations, granting them the informal nickname the "Wolfhounds", known for their fast strikes, within the Navy. In addition to the 5th Fleet, Prime Minister North of Orlessia announced in a short cable that the 2nd Carrier Battle Group would accompany the 5th Fleet, which raised eyebrows when their arch-rivals, the Valinese, confirmed they would also be sending a carrier battle group, as well as a rumored sub pack, to assist the operation.

The group, dubbed the Inter-Pardesi Task Force by the three commands that are so far participating, is expected to reach the Orlessian Sea in no more then two days and will take approximately half of that time to get into positions to enforce the blockade; where it will be stressed that they will not engage FCP merchant ships and will merely ask them to turn around. Lethal force will only be used if required, as Secretary Zolara stated and that sentiment was echoed by her Orlessian counterpart, Minister of Defence Matthew Cooke who told the Herald " Look, the majority of this region voted to embargo the FCP entirely, and now the FCP has to learn that it's actions have consequences and this things, just don't fade away. That said, we're not going to be shooting them out of the water, just telling them to go home." Professor Kali at the University of Tharsius also commented that "the strategic elements and effects on Rodarion are profound, while we are unsure of how much Rodarion buys in total from FCP, 58% of their total output is a pretty substantial figure and that supply line being cut off or the price of it going sky high will hurt "

Foreign Minister Atticus Decius has declined comments so far, but aides of the Foreign Ministry were seen entering fellow CDI member embassies throughout the Empire and one can't help to wonder to see who else joins the task force, and what will come of it.

Gnaeus Tanicus Vopiscus contributed to this article.

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by **New Belhavia** » Mon Apr 07, 2014 7:36 pm

Trending Stories -- Rodar-CDI Tensions -- OPA Blockade in Orlessian Sea -- Valinese Economy Recovery -- Osbourne Affair -- Price of Oil

Blockade, Escalating Geopolitical Tensions Spook Markets Across Pardes

_{Pictured: A worried trader on the floor of the Provisa Stock Exchange takes note of eastern Pardesi markets.}

Market Watchers, Analysts: Blockade, C.D.I.-R.C.O. Tensions Unsettling Markets Across the Region
^{April 6th, 2014 | By Jack Hathaway (jhath@aij.org) (AIJ) | 8:57am EDT}

PROVISA, NEW BELHAVIA — After essentially shrugging off then-Rodar-C.D.I. and later C.D.I.-R.C.O. tensions and saber-rattling in 2014, markets reacted negatively to the announcement of an Itailian-led OPA blockade of the Orlessian Sea as well as confirmed rumors of an impending invasion of the Near East by the Empire of Tarsas.

Most major exchanges and indices fell across Pardes this morning, many with midday falls as floor traders and investors became increasingly concerned about the regional economy following aggressive escalation by R.C.O. member Tarsas and the impromptu OPA blockade led by the Empire of Itailia. Itailia currently hosts hostile relations with the Papal Republic of Rodarion, who is widely seen as the target of the blockade. The Organization for Pardesi Affairs passed Resolution 0002 last year during the Pulsa Crisis that proscribed Pravene goods from being sold anywhere in the region. Rodarion is a major beneficiary of Pravene oil sales.

Most Markets See Modest Drop Across Indices

The major Pardesi stock exchanges, led by the Western indices - the Franklin Stock Exchange, the SUP500, and Lewis Yorkshire - as well as the flagship Belhavian Provisa Stock Exchange and Emmerian Chaleur Stock Exchange, all saw drops between 2% and 7% by close of day. The P.S.E. lost 347 points, a fall of 4.2%. The C.S.E. fell 279 points, closing 3.6% down from yesterday. Roth Industries, the largest Belhavian corporation as well as a major global transnational conglomerate, saw its stock price rise from $45 to $81 by end-of-day trading. Analysts credit this to Roth's profitable defense contractor subsidiary, which is a major supplier of the Imperial Belhavian military. Gray Industries & Oil Consortium, the Empire's largest oil & gas firm, saw its price skyrocket from $76 to $109. Balian Shipping, a major transport firm, saw its stock price fall modestly from $34 to $22, while Zalleran Pharmaceuticals & Drug Company - which exports its products across Pardes - saw its price fall from $51 to $39, a big hit for a company with a sterling reputation for price stability.

The largest stock index in eastern Pardes, the Alleghanian Ambrosia Exchange, saw minimal losses today - the exchange fell by 0.005% due to efficient hedging against Rodarian and Tarsan assets. Belhavian analysts note that due to a combination of neutrality and hedging on the limited exposure with minor commodities from Rodarion and Tarsas in Alleghanian markets has insulated Ambrosia floor traders and institutional investors. However, Alleghanian investors encountered some minor instability amongst some high-risk futures by midday trading.

The Romula Stock Exchange, the RNEX, fell 6,400 points by the time of close today, a major hit to the Papal Republic's financial sector as foreign investors fled Rodarian markets because of the fear of an economic collapse from the blockade or a hypothetical war with Italia. The RNEX has fallen by about 15% since March, with major foreign investors divesting to safer havens in other emerging markets in the Ulthrannic Empire or Estovnia.

The major Estovnian Stock Exchange, Strandakirkja Fondsbørs, rose 165 points, gaining 0.8% by day's close. Unless a financial crisis sweeps the region, the High Kingdom is rated by long-term market watchers as a good buy. Business magazine Investor Insider ranked Estovnia with Valinor as the "top two" investment opportunities for investors looking to add emerging markets assets to their portfolios. The Bors d'Valuen da Azkabana, an Irkutian stock exchange watched by traders in the U.R., Belhavia, and the West, dropped 319 points in daytime trading, closing with a loss of 2.14%.

Likewise, other emerging markets had mixed results. The Tarsan Marvius Stock Exchange dropped 120 points, closing roughly 1% down. Benefiting from an exodus of foreign markets investors from the RNEX, the Empire of Ulthrannia had a great day, with the widely-traded Santiago Stock Exchange rising by 412 points, ending the day with a 2% rise. The IASDAQ Exchange, another closely-watched Ulthrannic index, rose by slightly less than 1%, down most of the day due to the news of the blockade of Pravene goods but with a small rally into the black that eked out a narrow 1% gain before the index closed trading for the day.

Meanwhile, the Cinigrad Stock Exchange had a strong finish, gaining 6.6% by day's end on Estovakivan floor traders' and investors' confidence in the stratocracy gaining higher revenues from the skyrocketing price of oil and other energy sources as well as on the rumors of an impending Tarsan war of conquest in the Middle East, whose turmoil many market analysts believe would make Estovakiva the largest oil producer and exporter in the region.

Jack Hathaway reported from Provisa, N.B. None of these organizations are associated with the AIJ, and all opinions and personal views in the article do not reflect the viewpoints of the AIJ or their employees.

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by **Tarsas** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 12:33 pm

[

Military Announces Imperator II Future Weapons Test Ship

The Imperial Sea Legion, in light of a recent funding increase by the Senate Budget Committee, has announced that it has successfully finalized Project Veras. Project Veras is a long standing naval weapons development project started in 2004 to develop new, more intelligent missiles. As early as 2009, Professor Rechtus Carbeli from the University of Sciences in Tyre proposed a new concept called a Railgun.

The Railgun uses a principle called Lorentz force to hurdle a projectile at incredibly high speeds. The gun does its damage entirely via kinetic energy and does not require an explosive shell. The project initially began in 2009 and went through several phases of development at the Marvius Naval Research Facility. The first successful gun emerged in 2013 and was tested at the live fire range at the facility. The estimated range of the test gun was 300 nautical miles and it required over 9 mega joules of power.

The navy has recently announced that it will be refitting the Imperator class cruiser Bellicus as the first of its Future Warship Test Vessels. The ship will primarily be equipped with two railguns, each featuring a muzzle velocity of 5,800 m/s. The ship was taken out of service today and replaced with the newly launched Imperator class vessel, the Tormotha. The Bellicus will undergo a lengthy refit period.

The Imperator, despite being a design from the last decade of the 20th century, has a sound hull design and can be built in different forms and easily refitted. The navy will also test its new Laser Close In Weapons System on the Bellicus. Capable of taking out small boats and incoming missiles, the Laser system will supplement existing CIWS on Tarsan vessels as early as 2016.

The Bellicus is set to go back into service in 2016, the year the navy has projected that operational Railguns will be possible. The refit will be finished as early as January 2015 and will be tested extensively throughout the remainder of that year. A spokesperson for Naval High Command at a press conference in Marvius issued this statement. "With the changing political landscape of Pardes, we can foresee no other conclusion but a protracted war with the Central Defence Initiative. The CDI features some very well equipped navies and the Enlightened Empire will have to stay ahead. We may not possess the force projection capabilities and carrier battlegroups but we do not need to. They cannot possibly invade us. For continued insurance of this reality, we have released information of this new concept design and its date to show them that we are capable of keeping up and quite possibly superseding them."

Foreign Minister Alrec Severeoth Nimirae had his own words to say on the subject. "With this report from the navy of a technology that five years ago was only a dream being deployed in as little as two years, we have truly shown the CDI what they have to fear. With their consistent war mongering and their blatant disregard for a massacre of 500,000 people, they are the ones that we must be ready to fight at every turn. The Imperator II, upon its release, will render their newest, most well equipped vessels obsolete at a stroke. This is our answer to their threat to regional peace, a show of technological mastery to prove we are ready for the future."

Lab Test Of the XCV09 Railgun

by **EsToVnIa** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 9:36 pm

Estovnia petitions to join CDI
With the possibility of war on the horizon, the High Kingdom formally applies to join the Central Defence Initiative

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Karenlise Nicolaysen (@KNicolaysen)(ST)
^{Rain's Hand 11, 146 E4 12:36 AM | Strandakirkja, Hoskuldsvatn, Estovnia}

Majority speaker Erleiv Sundet (CP) speaking to members of the Folkeforsamling Monday (AP photo)

Strandakirkja, Estovnia — Following a close, 391-309, vote Tuesday the High Kingdom will officially be applying to join the Central Defence Initiative [CDI], Majority speaker Erleiv Sundet said in a statement Wednesday morning. This marks the first time since the Great Southern War that the High Kingdom will be taking the regional stage.

Estovnia has, thus far, enjoyed a peaceful existence without the worries of foreign attack or interaction, raising the question of "why get involved now?". Speculations on this have come from far and in between and range from Zionist bankers wanting to cosy up to the governments of New Belhavia and the Western Confederation to aliens brainwashing High King Bartholomeus and Chancellor Pontoppidan. But if you ask any citizen on the street, or rather any member of Venstre, the Social Democrats, or any other left-wing group, and they'd instantly tell you the truth: Sundet and his followers within the Conservative Party are using the CDI as a way to get involved in the Drakkar Crisis and, by extension, reclaim the St. Viktor's Islands that lie directly west of the Rift.

Is there any truth to this though? The National Coalition does have the Katolsk Party, a small but growing Romulăn Catholicism party, within it that would surely block any legislation that would call for the annexation of the St. Viktor's Islands. That's where the truth to the statements end however. What the minority doesn't want you to know is that they're all for the annexation of the St. Viktor's Islands as much as any warhawk Conservative would. In fact, of the 391 "aye" votes, nearly 120 came from the Nord Party and Venstre with Minority Speaker Katleen Gunst even voting "aye."

Where does the CDI come into play?

Because of mounting tensions between the Itailian Empire, one of the several major nations within the CDI, and the Papal Republic of Rodarion over the Itailian province of Drakkar, political analysts viewed that now would be the ideal time for Estovnia to join the CDI. When war finally erupts between the Itailians and Rodarians, Estovnia would be a front not even thought of during the war. As other CDI memberstates, notably those within the CDIC [Central Defense Initiative Coalition Itailia], get involved, it can be expected that those nations within the Rodarian influence sphere, the Romulă Cooperation Organization [RCO], would get involved in support of their master, thus leaving little forces available in support of the Rodarian forces stationed on St. Viktor's Islands.

But with the CDI's queer, and sometimes confounding, "unanimous" voting system, there is the faint hope that one nation's representative votes "nay," saving the High Kingdom from going on a downwards spiral of grace and onto a road of imperialism and nationalistic tendencies that seem to hold the region hostage.

Editor's note: Karenlise Nicolaysen is a professor of political science at the University of Skafta. Her opinions do not represent those of Strandakirkja Times.

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