News Thread [Kylaris|Canon|IC]

by **Nuvania** » Thu Feb 13, 2020 8:55 pm

Opinion: Could A War Of Words Change The Geopolitical Landscape Of The Asterias?

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Samuel Hofmeyr (Professor of International Studies at the University of Pietersburg)
14 February (1:50pm)

For the Day of Saint Valentine this year my wife gave me the gift of silence. Not because we're separating, but because I'd forgotten to do something that apparently needed to be done. Not that I'll ever know what it was, because she'll never tell me.

Marriage then, is much like international geopolitics. Filled with unspoken, yet telepathic nuances that need to be understood and acted upon in order for the existing world order to function as it has done for the last eight decades.

Like marriages, the relationships between two different countries can often be very close, to the point where marriage seems inevitable, or they can be distant, like the middle aged couple that somehow can't reconcile one small aspect of their relationship. Like marriages, they can be the subject of considerable tensions and strains, brought about by sudden changes or mood swings.

It is no surprise that one of these mood swings recently swept into power in Eldmark at the start of this week, when a more radical force emerged within the powers at be in Hammarvik. Deputy Prime Minister Tyra Brahe emerged victorious in an emergency election, which was called following the resignation of Örjan Rehn, who had suffered a heart attack last month. Rehn was considered to be among the more moderate forces within the Eldmark National Party (ENP) and within the wider governing coalition.

Rehn also was one of the enforcers of a multi-partisan consensus within Hammarvik, enabling its continued participation within the Asterian Forum for Development and Cooperation (AFDC), and reaping the benefits of participation within the largest economic bloc outside of Euclea. For Eldmark, the rewards have been worth the sacrifices.

The sacrifices are the domination of Satucin over the AFDC. It is by far the largest economy, it has the largest military, and thanks to a sharing policy with Valentir, is the only country in Asteria Inferior with nuclear weapons stationed on its territory. Economically and politically, the AFDC remains heavily aligned with and in the interests of, whoever is in charge in Satau. Much to the chagrin of numerous emerging political forces within AFDC members.

Brahe's confirmation as Prime Minister has already begun to set in motion significant change in the relationship between Eldmark and the AFDC, although this change has not yet been enacted through policy, but rather a choice of words she made during her victory speech upon winning the election.

"Though now it is time to revive ourselves. We cannot rest in complacency, we cannot settle for "good enough," we must strive to empower ourselves, not just for those who fell before us, but for those who will rise after us. We as a nation will strive evermore to walk the path of righteousness, to stand everready to defend our interests, our uniquely Eldmarsk interests, and we will rise evershining."

If merely brushing aside the ENP establishment with relative ease was not indicative of a wider change within Eldmarker politics, then her victory speech certainly is. These are not the words of a politician willing to engage and respect the already established consensus. These are the words of a leader ready and willing to shake the established international order to its very core.

Brahe has tapped into that growing core of voters in Eldmark that have become increasingly exasperated at the dominance of Satucin over the organisation and over Eldmark, especially after the incident involving the seizure of an Eldmarker freighter, the MV Pårla, during the closure of the Arucian Sea to Chervolesian shipping, something which the Rehn government had actively supported. The seizure became the catalyst for this group of voters, who had come to the realisation that Satucin could act with impunity regarding members of the AFDC, and that their own government would sit on their proverbial hands and allow them to do it.

This then, represents the mood swing that threatens to divorce Eldmark from the collective polygamy of the AFDC. And it is by no means insignificant.

Eldmark leaving the AFDC would likely see it enter into the sphere of influence of Nuxica and Cassier, the broad cooperation of which acts as the only real "rival" to the hegemony of the AFDC in terms of economic power. An axis such as that would ultimately upend the existing geopolitical stability of the Asterias and have a substantial impact on countries not already affected by the posturing of Chervolesia.

Furthermore, Eldmark's divorce could also see other members question their participation in the AFDC and venture off own their own, causing significant economic and trade disruption if those countries revert to ITO trading rules and do not renegotiate trade agreements. Satau risks losing its influence and becoming isolated itself.

Nuvania risks losing its collective security.

Events 1,500 or so kilometres away in Hammarvik are not easily ignored in Pietersburg, and Brahe's assumption of power within the existing coalition government has sent alarm bells ringing within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so much so that it has prompted the Chief Minister to respond to Brahe's election and victory speech with a thinly veiled threat: "Watch Yourself".

The Chief Minister's comments represent the very real concerns Pietersburg has regarding the integrity of the AFDC at the present. Sautcin's deal with Chervolesia securing the release of the remaining crew of the MV Mistral and recognition of the Maritime Security Zone has called into question the international community's willingness to enforce existing maritime law, and with that a threat to the hundreds of billions of Euclos in trade that passes through Nuvania's ports every year. They also represent a growing unease about Nuvania's security situation. A nationalist government in Hammarvik could itself directly threaten Nuvania in one of its most sensitive areas, a nationalist government backed by Nuxican nuclear weapons could see the region becoming a flashpoint, and Nuvania at the centre of an armed standoff with the potential to kill millions if it went hot.

Furthermore, any further insecurity in the Arucian would negatively impact the Nuvanian economy, itself already unstable after the dispute with Chervolesia. Two of Nuvania's largest ports, Pietersburg and Windstrand, lie on the coast of the Arucian, and any disruption to their operations would cost the country billions and cause further economic instability.

But the Chief Minister risks pushing Eldmark to that divorce. Veiled threats are not typically issued to two members in a loose political and economic alliance, and belligerant behaviour on his part could end up making the situation worse. While Brahe has yet to respond to his comments, she could very well use him as the example of what is wrong with continued AFDC membership, and lead Eldmark on a path outside of it. A dispute between the two could end up changing the geopolitical landscape of the Asterias forever.

And that is something we should always refuse to be silent about.

by **Imagua and the Assimas** » Sat Feb 15, 2020 11:20 am

DISAPPOINTING RESULTS FOR IMAGUA'S MALE BIATHLETES
Imaguans place fourth for the men's 20 km individual, and sixth for the 15 km mass start

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ED SMITH (@EdSmith)
16 February, 2020 05:21 IST | ULAN KHOL, NAROZALICA

Biathlete Jerry Jackson with his wife and daughter

Imagua's biathletes come home with disappointing results today, as the men placed fourth in the twenty kilometre individual start, and sixth in the fifteen kilometre individual start, while the women placed thirteenth in the individual fifteen kilometre biathlon, and fifth in the 12.5 kilometre mass start.

In the men's twenty kilometre individual start, they finished in fourth place, with a time of 51:38.2, just twenty-two seconds behind that of bronze winner Werania, and 7.4 seconds ahead of the Azmaran team, but were behind Chervolesia by 1:47.7, who obtained the gold medal.

In the men's fifteen kilometre mass start, they finished in sixth place, with a time of 36:07.1, just 1.7 seconds behind Swetania, and ahead of host nation Narozalica by 2.8 seconds, but were 18.3 seconds behind gold medal finishers Caldia.

In the women's fifteen kilometre individual start, they finished in thirteenth place, with a time of 45:43.6, 7.4 seconds behind Hennehouwe, and 0.3 seconds ahead of Amathia, but were 4:09 behind gold medal finishers Caldia.

Finally, in the women's 12.5 kilometre mass start, they did somewhat better, with a time of 35:43.5, eight seconds behind of Velzemia, and 2.1 seconds ahead of Werania, but were 25.2 seconds behind host nation Narozalica, who gained the gold medal.

After hearing of the results, DLP leader Douglas Egnell expressed his disappointment, saying that "while the results are impressive, especially for a nation from the tropics, the fact of the matter is that we need to do better, and my hope is that in 2024, we Imaguans will win a gold in the winter Invictus games."

"Now is the time," Egnell said, "to return home, to reflect on what went well, and what went wrong, so we may perfect what went well, and learn from our mistakes this Invictus games, so that we may return faster, higher, and stronger."

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© GOVERNMENT OF IMAGUA AND THE ASSIMAS 2020

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by **Eskaeba** » Sun Feb 16, 2020 1:32 pm

AS CN SANCTIONS LOOM, CZENKO ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR NAZIM AL'QUTAYNI IN TSABARA

Al'Qutayni is seen meeting with Narozalic FM Myroslav Ivanchenko in Samistopol on Saturday

Written by Olesya Stalmakh
16 February, 2020

As sanctions imposed by the Community of Nations' Security Council on Zorasan seem to edge nearer, one of its permanent members in Narozalica has explicitly come out in support of interim President Nazim al'Qutayni.

In a speech delivered to the Vojnaskul last Friday, President Samuel Czenko announced that Narozalica would be politically supporting the co-social state initiative of interim Tsabaran President Nazim al'Qutayni against what he referred to as a "blatant disregardal" of Tsabara's "independence" by the Union of Zorasani Irfanic Republics. Czenko condemned Zorasan's "complete mishandling" of the situation ahead of a series of missile attacks and sponsored killings across Tsabara linked to the Zorasani government.

Czenko also announced that Narozalica would be backing and supporting Estmerish calls for severe sanctions on Zorasan over the affair, and has called in particular for sanctions on Zorasani oil, which was, as he referred to it, the "beating heart of the Zorasani regime".

The President also continued in supporting increased sanctions for ROSPO members, Ajahadya and Xiaodong, over the affair, accusing them of propagating Zorasan's actions in Badawiya.

It is likely that any sanctions imposed by the Community of Nations' Security Council will pass through its permanent members, all of which have veto power that often renders it incapable of passing any legislation. The milestone passing of Security Council Resolution 936 on February 1st laid the framework for later sanction impositions by the Security Council, accusing Zorasan of continuing to disobey Article 10 of the Resolution, which states:

"Calls upon all nations and other parties to refrain from intervention in Tsabara without the express consent of the Tsabaran government or the authorization of the Security Council,"

Czenko made it clear that Narozalica would be supporting the cosocial state as a means to "protect the interests of all groups in the region, particularly our Sotirian brethren". He also stated that a lack of action by the Security Council in Tsabara would affect the livelihoods of many other nations through its domino effect, particularly nations who receive oil through the Adunis-Mambiza railway that connects Tsabara to Bahia.

If the sanctions are to pass, it is expected to be announced by the CNSC in the coming weeks.

© Global, 2020

by **Ostry** » Sun Feb 16, 2020 8:49 pm

by **The Kingdom of Glitter** » Mon Feb 17, 2020 11:29 am

Jan de Haan - 17 February 2020

Home · Kesselbourg · The Continent · The World · Policy · Opinion · Features · Newsletters · Continental Pro

AS STABILITY IN TSABARA DETERIORATES, THE EC AND ETRURIA LOOK TO MEND TIES

EC President Walker has overseen the bloc's rocky relationship with Etruria since 2017.

Kesselbourg, Kesselbourg - After years of an increasingly tense relationship, the Euclean Community and Etruria appear to be looking to restore their once close relationship. The failed 2016 Etrurian referendum on membership in the bloc and subsequent rise of the Tribune Movement soured ties between Euclean capitals and Poveglia. Subsequent diplomatic spats over judicial reform, denial of war crimes, and the Pietramontecorvino Incident brought relations to an all time low in 2018. Slowly, EC officials and their Etrurian counterparts have worked to bridge the widening gap.

Now, both Kesselbourg and Poveglia appear to be keen to further cooperation and overcome the remaining obstacles that complicate closer ties. A more assertive Zorasan has alarmed the Etrurian government just as it has throughout the EC. Tensions in the Solarian Sea have escalated since a political crisis first began to grip the Tsabaran government last year. As the situation worsened and stability was gradually eroded, Etruria and the EC began a slow process of rapprochement. Sanctions placed by the EC on senior Etrurian officials were quietly dropped while retaliatory sanctions put in place by Etruria were voided. Criticism of the Tribunes from the Euclean Commission and national governments became less and less frequent. For his part, Etruria president Francesco Carcaterra blunted his rhetoric and that of senior voices in the party when it came to the EC and its interests.

Aggressive policy moves made by Zahedan went against the interests of both the EC and Etruria. Differences have gradually been put aside as the two nations have looked to counter Zorasani influence in the Solarian. Of pressing concern was Zorasan's acquisition of its first overseas military installation in Tusania. Euclean capitals are uneasy about the influence Zorasan's powerful military government will wield in Bahia and are alarmed by its ability to project power beyond the Aurean Straits.

The restoration of trust between Kesselbourg and Poveglia is not a new process. In the wake of the Caldish diplomatic bag scandal and its aftermath, the two have quietly worked to patch up ties. Etruria joined Gaullica, Estmere, and Werania in naval exercises held this summer. The exercises demonstrated the immense progress made in repairing the strained relationship between the EC and Etruria.

Carcaterra's has also strongly backed Estmere in its efforts to combat Zorasani influence. After the killing of Assad Erekat in July, Etruria voted to condemn Zorasan at the Community of Nations and opposed Zorsani attempts to bring a retaliatory resolution against Etruria. Estmerish prime minister Reginald Wilton-Smyth has made it known he wants to bring Etruria back into the Euclean fold. The victory of the National Consolidation Party in Werania last year has also helped Etruria find its place among the EC member states.

On Saturday, Carcaterra said that “the situation in Tsabara is one that can upend the entire security situation in and around the Solarian Sea. By cooperating, Etruria and the Euclean Community can guarantee and safeguard our continent’s safety and prosperity”.

His remarks have fueled suspicions that the EC and Etruria are looking to close security gaps in Southeastern Euclea and along the Solarian Sea. There have been some reports regarding the prospect of Etrurian membership in the Euclean Defense Treaty Organization. However, both EC and Etrurian officials have refused to comment on the prospect.

One main obstacle remains to this level of deepened cooperation. This weekend, EC President Alexis Walker indicated that further cooperation between her bloc and Etruria would be hindered by Etruria's territorial disputes with Priaea. The contested region of Tarpeia has proved to be a consistent problem for Euclean diplomats and was a major roadblock for Etruria and Piraea's 2016 bids to join the EC. With the prospect of Etrurian membership in the bloc as unlikely now as it ever has been, Walker has taken a new approach to trying to solve the Tarpeian issue.

At a press event this weekend, Walker told reporters that "[Tarpeia] is the obstacle we must overcome". She also urged Poveglia to work with Alikianos to resolve the issue.

"Diplomacy can bring about a lasting solution if both sides are willing to negotiate in good faith" the EC president said. The EC was also ready and willing to facilitate talks according to Walker.

Another seemingly unlikely ally in the Euclean battle against Zorasan's growing influence is Narozalica. The Narozalic government has joined the EC in backing Tsabara's interim president, Nazim al'Qutayni. Support for sanctions against Zorasan for a series of missile strikes on targets in Tsabara was also indicated by Narozalic president Samuel Czenko. Rumors have indicated that Estmerish diplomats are preparing sanctions against Zorasan for violating a Community of Nations Security Committee Resolution passed just over two weeks ago. CoNSCR 936 backed the Tsabaran government and called for nations to stay out of the country unless explicitly invited.

Narozalica appears primed to join the EC and Etruria in combating Zorasani aggression in the Solarian Sea and Swetanian diplomats have also indicated that their government may do the same. A diplomatic coalition of the continent's main powers seems to be coming together.

The Etrurian president stated that the EC and Etruria would "fight to defend white Euclea”. Walker and other EC officials have not gone as far, but it is evident that Kesselbourg remains eager to include Etruria in its response to the Tsabaran Crisis.

by **Valentir** » Tue Feb 18, 2020 6:55 pm

Emily Charlton - 18 February 2019

Babineaux government declares support for Tsabaran gov't in "solidarity" with EC, announces increased development aid in Coius

Nelson stressed solidarity between the "liberal, democratic world" is paramount as tensions fly high with Zorasan

Valeins, Vallois - As the Tsabaran Civil War continues to intensify, with no end of the conflict in sight, Prime Minister Babineaux has officially announced Valentir's support for the interim federal government of President Nazim al-Qutayni, joining with the Euclean Community, Narozalica, and Etruria in a show of "solidarity" as the Tsabaran government's hold on the country crumbles with every passing day.

Citing the Tsabaran government's withdrawal from nearly the entirety of the eastern portion of the country as the "line-in-the-sand," Prime Minister Babineaux has promised to substantially increase Valentirian foreign aid to Tsabara. "The people of Tsabara are innocent bystanders in a greater conflict with roots going back decades. My government will sit idly by and let these people suffer." The Prime Minister's promise could yet come to fruition, with the Senate set to vote on the Foreign Assistance & Relief Act, 2020 (A-04), which passed the Assembly last week. The bill would nearly triple foreign aid spending to a staggering £24 billion, with £3 billion set to be allocated to Tsabara.

Babineaux declared that Valentir will stand in "solidarity with the democracies of the world" and "ensure the survival of the al-Qutayni government." Opposition leaders from all the major parties were also swift to tap into the issue, standing with the Prime Minister's statements and offering similar goodwill to the Tsabaran people.

Having sat on the issue for nearly a month, sources close to the Prime Minister state that he has always "privately intended" on supporting Tsabara, but became distracted by increasingly volatile domestic affairs. It was reportedly at the urging of Foreign Minister Brandon Nelson that prompted the Prime Minister to finally act. Nelson, who is considered one of the more popular, competent government ministers, has apparently also pressed for the government for months to take a stand against an increasingly aggressive Zorasan, where the military has firmly taken hold of the reigns.

Nelson, who has promoted a "Coian development strategy" to counter the growing influence of ROSPO both economically and militarily throughout the continent, was crucial to the passage of Bill A-04 in the Assembly, which if passed by the Senate would set aside £12 billion in foreign aid to be distributed between Tsabara, Djedet, Tabora, Garambura, and Rwizikuru as part of a new foreign aid program targeting developing Coian countries. The government has long been committed to assisting to the principle of international development, and has launched a series of similar programs in the past. The new initiative promoted by the Foreign Office is primarily focused on expanding investments into the development of higher education, advanced infrastructure and transport facilities, and stable financial institutions capable of providing a steady line of credit and loans to the large, emerging Coian markets.

The Foreign Minister argues that the major democratic economies of the world must substantially "increase foreign aid and investment in the developing world." Nelson continues, saying that "inaction" concerning this pressing matter is "no longer an option." He stresses that "we must offer a better alternative to Zorasan and Xiaodong."

"It is paramount that the liberal, democratic world must show unity and act with defiance in the face of surging authoritarianism and anti-liberalism." Babineaux and Nelson both signalled their intent to work closely with Valentir's "strongest" allies, among them Nuxica, Senria and Estmere. The Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Sant-Picano next week to attend a joint Valentirian-PAT summit, the first of its kind in the history of diplomatic relations between Valentir and the Pan-Asterian Treaty for Cooperation and Defence members: Nuxica, Halland, and Cassier. Foreign Minister Nelson, meanwhile, is expected to journey to Verlois this weekend to meet with President Vallette, as well as EC President Alexis Walker, ahead of the anticipated CoN vote in an Estmerish attempt to sanction Zorasan.

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by **Nuvania** » Wed Feb 19, 2020 1:01 am

Opinion: Au Revoir AFDC: Could Nuvania Travel Down The Same Road?

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William Bowen (Senior Political Analyst at Die Vrystaat)
19 February (6:50pm)

Recent events in Eldmark and Imagua and the Assimas have lead to questions on what kind of future the Asterian Forum for Development and Cooperation (AFDC) has, if it has one. Tyra Brahe's victory within the Eldmark National Party (ENP) and the pushing aside of the political establishment and the Movement for a New Imagua announcing leaving the AFDC as part of its policy are indicative of a new wave of dissatisfaction at Gatôn's influence over the organisation. And while Eldmark and Imagua and the Assimas might have reasons to leave, could Nuvania also do so?

It's no secret that Chief Minister Robert Marten has much displeasure for the Allaire administration over the conclusion to the Mistral crisis, and one would be forgiven for thinking that he would willingly lead Nuvania out into a brave new world outside the AFDC. But while he appears brash, and quite uncouth at times, the Chief Minister is not a stupid man. Marten understands the costs to Nuvania in terms of national and economic security, and therefore he would fight tooth and nail to protect the established status quo.

Like the ENP, the National People's Party (NVP) has a nationalist faction within it. After all, the party was founded primarily by Asterianers to serve Asterianer interests in the colonial parliament prior to Nuvania gaining independence. But unlike the ENP, the NVP has struggled to reconcile its nationalists, especially the Asterianer nationalists, with the modern, globalist neoliberalism ideology that has dominated the party since the election of Johnathan Keaton in 1982. If anything it represents a struggle the party has waged silently since independence, when the NVP broadened its appeal to the Estmerish population by positioning itself as a broad-tent, pro-business and pro-trade party.

Whether or not that policy is an indictment on the legacy of Jacobus Petrus Mauritz, the man who implemented it to dominate the conservative and pro-business vote within Nuvania, is irrelevant. But we can be certain that it has a relevant impact to this very day. Understanding the historical dynamic between Nuvania's Estmerish and Asterianer populations is crucial not only in understanding the challenges and the delicate power of balance that Robert Marten faces within his own party and coalition, it is also crucial to understand voting patterns and overall support for or against the AFDC.

The policy of Mauritz to dominate the conservative vote was a shrewd move, but one necessary in the context of the immediate post-independence era. Prior to independence in 1883, the NVP spent much of its existence in opposition to a grand coalition of Estmerish-dominated political parties intending on upholding the existence of colonial administration in Nuvania, and promoting the economic and cultural ties with Estmere. After independence, these parties were wound up by the government, and the NVP assumed the mantle of the primary party for conservative voices. The Estmerish, who were largely middle and upper class and ran most of Nuvania's most important companies, needed to be taken on board if the NVP was truly to be what Mauritz envisioned: a "party for all peoples". Crucially, the Estmerish also valued their connections to Estmere, and their businesses relied on a steady stream of exports and imports to make profits. By comparison, the traditional NVP voter was rural, and usually provided the raw materials and goods that the Estmerish businesses exported. To them the NVP represented a party that could ensure their own interests and business sustainability independent of the reliance on what they called vreemdkapitalisme, or "foreign capitalism".

This dynamic and the cultural stereotypes have changed little in the 137 years of Nuvania's independence. And this dynamic belies the trends in choice of leader within the party. Good times result in Estmerish candidates, bad times result in Asterianer candidates, although even then this is an oversimplification. Estmerish candidates represent the pro-free trade, pro-business, laissez faire capitalism. Asterianer candidates represent the controlled, dirigisme capitalism with high protection of domestic industries, especially for agriculture, which is dominated by Asterianers.

In many respects the post-Great War economic booms and declines are representative of this trend: the first post-war election was won by Charles Berkeley, an NVP candidate who was a prominent business owner in addition to participating in politics. Although he served a single term, he helped lay the foundations for the AFDC in the post-war era. With the advent of the Solarian War in Euclea and widespread economic disruption and recession, Berkeley was voted out in 1933 and replaced with the DAP's first Chief Minister, J.P van Vollenhoven, who was an Asterianer and a protectionist nationalist. Van Vollenhoven's economic policies, of tariffs, of subsidies, of massively expanded government welfare, benefitted the Asterianers most, as they were once again facing significant economic hardship for the second time in a generation. They also established the consensus for both NVP and DAP governments for the next 39 years. Attempts at reform were made, all were cut down either through reduced vote shares, or in the case of Owen Fraser, unceremoniously dumped during the NVP's pre-election convention in 1964, forced to meekly announce that he wouldn't be seeking reelection.

Fraser was replaced as NVP leader by F.A Vredeling, a man with paternalistic ideas of how to run the country. Vredeling, affectionately known as oupa, or grandpa by the time he retired in 1974, had a profound impact on the Asterianer voting public, and is largely responsible for the nationalistic nostalgia held by most in opposition to the AFDC, despite the fact that the organisation had lasted for 16 years by the time Vredeling was elected. During his time in power, Nuvania expanded both its political and economic influence within the organisation. Unemployment was at historical lows, people enjoyed a quality of life unparalelled in Nuvania's history up until that point, and Vredeling was widely respected and admired as a statesman.

That was the image that nationalists within the NVP have portrayed since. The reality is that the Vredeling government ballooned Nuvania's borrowing to pay for the complex and elaborate array of subsidies and tariffs that encouraged wasteful spending, which continued after the NVP was voted out again in 1974 and replaced by a one-term DAP government under William Bosman, who was in turn voted out during economic troubles of the late 1970's and replaced by P.K Burger of the NVP, whose primary goal was to keep everything as it is. Including the $5.11 billion ($16 billion in 2020) being spent annually just on subsidies across Nuvania's most important economic sectors.

This economic malaise caused a public fracturing of the NVP in the lead up to the 1982 general election. A new leader in the form of Johnathan Keaton was elected leader, who had spoken of a wide range of economic reforms, what he referred to as a "new economy for a new society". In response to what was considered to be the death of their subsidies, many NVP politicians and voters abandoned the party and instead formed the EAB to advocate for Nuvania's rural communities and economy, and more importantly, prevent what they considered the economic apocalypse.

Keaton's government presided over the most extreme economic deregulation and reforms in Nuvanian history, moreso than the Great Consolidation that had been implemented under van Vollenhoven in the 1940's. Between 1982 and 1990, Keaton's government implemented the complete disassembly of the protectionist paternalism that had dominated Nuvania's economy and politics since the 1940's. Not only did this result in the alienation of the NVP's nationalists, it also created the most ardent anti-free trade political party in the General Council today. As businessmen in Nuvania's cities got richer and richer, Nuvania's rural communities became more and more depopulated, and became poorer and poorer.

This is the legacy that Robert Marten inherited when he was elected in 2013 after 23 years of successive DAP governments. Although his first term between 2013 and 2017 was more or less repairing the damage of more than three decades of neoliberalism, Marten is by no means a nationalist, and recognised the value of Nuvania's existing trade and economic policies. With over $150 billion in exports at stake, anything that could hurt exporters would be seen as detrimental to both the economy and to his reelection prospects. Therefore he has to confront and either contain the nationalist elements within the NVP or risk having them assume more and more influence within the government. Marten has some sympathies with the nationalist faction within the NVP; the deal between Chervolesia and Satucin to end the Mistral crisis showed to him that unwavering loyalty is not always rewarded. In this respect he is himself reevaluating the relationship between Nuvania and Satucin. This is something that the nationalists could easily exploit, and likely will.

This then would be a sticking point between Nuvania and Satucin within the AFDC itself, and something Marten knows could have serious consequences. While he is more than willing to criticise the Allaire administration over its handling of the incident, Marten is still, first and foremost, a proponent of AFDC membership, and the existence of it as a guarantor of Nuvanian economic security in the form of the largest economic bloc outside of the EC, and of Nuvania's national security. There is safety in numbers.

The question of how long can Nuvania's goodwill towards Satucin will last will ultimately underpin any discussion of discontinued membership within the AFDC, but in terms of actual action it is unlikely to happen. While Marten has some sympathies within the nationalist faction in the NVP, that faction simply doesn't have the votes or the support to influence government policy outright, but might influence specific aspects where and when advantageous.

But what about the other parties? The EAB, despite its avowedly nationalist and protectionist nature, its vote share, and the goodwill of the voting public, is fluid. While it became the third largest party in the General Council after the 2017 general election, its public support has fluctuated to the point where it cannot be relied upon as a serious threat to the existing status quo, and in the end, would not have the numbers to pass any legislation taking Nuvania out of the ADFC.

The biggest inhibitor of this is the DAP. It, like the NVP, spent much of its existence as a nationalistic protectionist party. Protectionism guaranteed jobs for Nuvania's working class. Furthermore most of the time it did little to differentiate itself from the NVP in terms of broader social policy, only really adopting more radical social reform policies in the late 1960's. In the simplest terms it was described as the party for an older style of working class man: white and conservative. It spent the 1980's successfully as the "new party" for the "new society" Keaton boasted he was creating in 1982. This "new party" was merely the embracing of social democracy; retaining the benefits of market capitalism with some economic regulation, but most importantly guaranteeing well funded social services. In most respects, it differed little from the inoffensive social democratic parties of Euclea. However, this embracing of market capitalism, and with it the free trade policies, meant that the DAP also cannot go against the ideology it has now adopted. Any serious effects on exports would ultimately hurt its working class voter base, those who rely on jobs that provide the export income Nuvania needs to sustain itself. In this respect, the DAP would almost certainly shut down any attempt to leave the AFDC.

The DAP's willingness to remain within the AFDC is, somewhat surprisingly, the biggest weapon Robert Marten has that can shut down any vote regarding Nuvania's continued membership in the AFDC. Both the NVP and DAP recognise the considerable negative impacts of any vote in favour of removing Nuvania from the AFDC, and would have no issues combining their votes to defeat any internal threat to that membership.

The talk of Eldmark and Imagua and the Assimas leaving the AFDC definitely troubles Nuvania, and it should trouble Satucin as well. However, Nuvania still remains loyal to the organisation even if certain politicians elsewhere are not.

by **The Kingdom of Eldmark** » Wed Feb 19, 2020 10:11 pm

Opinion: Typhoon Tyra Threatens To Bring Down It All
^{ELIAS SVENDAHL (Professor Emeritus, Hammarvik University)}
^{Wednesday, 19th February 2020|Hammarvik}

Just a month ago, Eldmark was firmly a member in good standing among the Asterian powers that be, namely in the AFDC. While by no means the most powerful in terms of population or total GDP, it is important to realize that given such limiting factors, Eldmark is an economic powerhouse, punching well above its weight, and by all means, is strong. While these facts remain true, in nary a month our status in the AFDC has been called into question, by none other than Tyra Brahe, who in many circles in Hammarvik is seen as a pariah and a maverick, over her Forumskeptiska and her more nationalist leanings. While she is more than popular among her contemporaries in the ENP, and apparently the Eldmarsk people, her ascendancy to the helm of the Riksdag brings home the question of how exactly she was able to do so without significant pushback from the establishment, and how it aligns with a long brewing storm that threatens to uproot Eldmark from its place in the Asterias and in the world as a whole.

Though, it must be pointed out that sympathies like Ms. Brahe's have existed long before her time, long before the seizure of the Pårla, and has echoed long since the founding of the AFDC itself.

Its winds first began to blow in the ashen aftermath of the Great War. Eldmark, a survivor of a brutal invasion by Marirana, slowly begins to rebuild. While Hammarvik was famously never touched by the blade of war, the remainder of Eldmark was not so lucky. Abysmally high casualty rates for both combatant and civilian populations, coupled with the absolute collapse of industries in the countryside, made for a destitute landscape that is still noticeable to this day, if you happen to find yourself along the Ryggrad Line, or on the pockmarked moonlike landscape of Vaxholmen Beach in Vanö. Though by and large, Eldmark would have been justified in their lingering anger towards the now crumbled Entente, its latent fatigue and tactical loss put then reigning monarch, the aging and sick Karl I, in the hot seat. Though his abilities as throneroom tactician gave the besieged nation a defensive edge, his skills as a negotiator shaped the stage for the treaties to come, as his vision to connect the Asterias "so that no more will war flow," was echoed in the reign of his brother Frederick I, who was a charter signer of the Asterian Forum for Development and Cooperation.

This decision was stemmed from the West Eldmarsk ideals of unionism, a belief that cooperation among the Asterian states would play in the best interests of all parties involved, and would gradually lead to division among the more rural areas of Eldmark. To them, the war wasn't a memory, or simply another event to overcome; A sizable portion of the Kingdom itself was still recovering from the horrors of war. A disproportionate and harrowing loss of population, resulting in hundreds of ghost towns dotting the brush, and the restructuring of states for years to come. For the many who lived this reality, this decision of unity was a betrayal by Hammarvik, and served as a flashpoint for what we are only now seeing made manifest in the halls of the Riksdag.

To simply leave it there does no justice to history. In fact, upon closer inspection, the undercurrent of dissent to AFDC membership has always been there, even if often swept under the rug of time, its influence casually erased from history. Uniquely, the position of Forumskeptiska would remain prevalent among the fringes of acceptable political positions in Eldmark for years, often a talking point among radicals on both the right and the left, and viewed largely with disdain and suspicion. There have been several surges of support, namely during the Konfrontationen, in which leftist opposition to AFDC indecision to the Vilcasuamanian Bush War evolved into riots against austerity policies and the AFDC as a whole. Though sources differ on the extent of causes of the bloodiest riots and their subsequently bloody lockdown, the official arrest records don't lie: A disproportionately large number of those arrested weren't from Hammarvik, yet were from the towns and cities east of the Ryggrad. An even more significant revelation rests on page 236 of the 10th Precinct's books, where the name Anders Brahe is clearly legible. Then 35, the native of Stalkulle would go on to become mayor of Stalkulle not 5 years later, though is perhaps notable today as the father of our newfound Prime Minister, Tyra Brahe. Though her relationship with her father never blossomed, the possibility of some of his political leanings impressing themselves on her is not negligible.

In the larger scale of things, Eldmarsk participation and cooperation in the AFDC has done mostly as what the dying Karl I intended. It has paved the way for a high standard of living and the second highest GDP per capita(PPP),at an estimated K142,000, in the organization, though that number lags behind contemporaries Halland and Cassier, and perhaps most notably, Chervolesia. And though these things make for justifiable complaints, the progress that has been made is in no short order thanks to the deals and business that the AFDC has provided, namely in its recent cooperation with the EC. Just Brahe's acceptance speech alone has put that at risk, along with the livelihoods of the workers who rely on that industry to survive.

It is, however, worth noting that Tyra Brahe did not necessarily say that leaving the AFDC was in the cards. While a lifelong skeptic of the organization, many of her colleagues in her inner circle of the Riksdag, such as now Treasury Minister Bjarne Haavik, take a reformist stance on the organization, opting to make the forum more democratic. His hopes lie in a shift in the balance of power, rather than an uprooting of that power altogether. If Eldmark would be able to build a coalition of like-minded leaders in the organization, it would be possible for skeptics and unionists alike to resolve their differences with an overall lack of economic upheaval in the pursuit of reform that benefits the Asterias as a whole.

Though Asteria herself did not take it that way.

Brahe's speech drew a wide array of comment, some for and some against, with multiple pundits, myself included, furrowing their brows in an attempt to look deeply into the intentions behind Brahe's patriotic yet vague words. Most notably, the speech drew the infamous tweet from Nuvanian Chief Minister Robert Martin, who took to Twitter to pass on a simple but clear threat: "Watch yourself. Don't say things you might regret later." While Brahe outright has refused to comment on the tweet, it is no secret that the campaign wonks at ENP HQ intend to milk it and other unionist messages surely to come, as was the gameplan for Forumskeptiska for years. When Brahe ran against then incumbent MP Henrik Krol in 2007, she used a soundbyte made against her by the aged parliamentarian, where the man told her to "keep her mouth shut if she wanted to get anywhere" ad nauseum to generate the outrage necessary to ensure her victory. It would be smart to think she would silently do the same, even on the international stage.

Elsewhere, in Imagua, the MNI has all but pledged their support to the idea of a hard exit from the AFDC, using her speech as a lightning rod to drum up support for the idea. While Brahe again has declined to address this seeming endorsement from the Imaguan hard right, it puts Förbund in a tight spot, risking their autonomy from the ENP over what is seeming to be a merging of ideology. And though Karl Falk of the AFP has been opposed to Brahe's stance on the matter, mostly from the angle of worker's security and the hopeful building of the conditions necessary for his "Five Year Plan," there are members in the AFP that object to the AFDC itself by principle. Of course, it remains to be seen whether portions of the AFP would break ranks in case of any vote against the AFDC, as Falk has a penchant for directing the AFP to vote against bills that they would otherwise approve of, if only to spite the governing coalition. And while the centrists at Avancera have continually been pro-AFDC, Matteo Nyholm has interestingly refused calls from within the party to pull out of the governing coalition, likely for the sake of ensuring Avancera policies see the light of day. The result of this is a divided governing coalition, a divided opposition, and a divided fringe, which makes for an imminent Brahe-shaped storm in Hammarvik unless things drastically change.

If Brahe wants to fully pull Eldmark out of the AFDC, it would require much more planning and coalition building than what has already occurred, which is likely exactly what Brahe wants. By giving her speech in such a manner, she has set herself as the coming storm, giving her supporters beyond Eldmarsk borders the energy needed to coalesce, and her opponents time only to scratch their heads about her true intentions. If she is simply wanting to start a conversation about potential reforms within the forum, her vague yet fiery words have definitely started one.

And now it is up to the world to respond.

©världenidag.el 2020

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by **Liecthenbourg** » Sat Feb 22, 2020 5:28 pm

Camille Chamoun - 27 Shevat 5780 / Shanbeh: 3. Esfand 1398 / 22 February 2020

Home · Tsabara · Bahia · International · Politics · Business · Technology and Science · Arts · Education · Health · Sports · Weather

Estemere sends airforce, pilots, to help government 'contain international threats.'

Acting President Nazim al'Qutayni met with FAF leaders at a command centre in western Bedjene.

Adunis, Adunis Province - As the world truly begins to understand and react the embroiled crisis the Federation of Tsabara finds itself in, Adunis has found a champion of its cause in Estmerish Prime Minister Wilton-Smyth. Whilst the Euclean Community as a whole, and much of the world for that matter, have voiced diplomatic, humanitarian and sometimes economic support, Estmere is leading a campaign to provide military assistance to the legitimate government of Tsabara.

Prime Minister Wilton-Smyth, a noted critic of Zorasan, had met with the Tsabaran government and President al-Qutayni earlier this month. The two discussed important issues arising from Zorasani attempts to consolidate their control in the region, with the Tsabaran president praising Euclea -- but Wilton-Smyth in particular -- for being a steadfast ally against those who were threatening to topple the Tsabaran democratic processes and democracy.

The President revealed the assistance Estmere was providing today ahead of several planned missions that aim to be taking place this week. Estmerish pilots have been sent to bases across eastern Tsabara to train the nation's already qualified pilots with the "intricacies" of the Estmerish crafts, as well as the "newest tactics" and "doctrines" in aerial counter-insurgency.

"Estmere knows the issues that the Zorasani backed rebellious forces in the east pose for the rest of the world," the President said. "Their assistance in containing the radicals of Sheik Salah and al-Isbah, especially with the reports of horrific attacks against minorities in their held cities, is instrumental to their defeat. Zorasani influence permeates Salah and his followers. The destruction of the Federation only benefits the Zorasani. Like in Irvadistan all those years ago, where the Communalist Regime -- for all its faults -- fought to defend a sovereign country, it is now up to us to break Zorasani expansion."

"Zorasan represents the centre of an Axis of Evil." The Estmerish Prime Minister himself said, when questioned by reporters over the decision to go further than most in relation to the Tsabaran crisis. "It is our moral duty as a nation to assist the legitimate government of Tsabara against these Zorasni-backed splinter groups and extremists."

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Tsabarangoldmedalist · 1 hour ago
Inshallah Estmere is an Irfanic Country

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BetePuttigieg · 1 hour ago
SQUEAK SQUEAK

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TsabaraWinstheNevadaCaucus! · 1 hour ago
DEATH TO THE SEPARATISTS: GOD, TSABARA AND JABBAR.

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by **Qianrong** » Sun Feb 23, 2020 4:17 am

SENRIA SNAGS FIFTH PLACE IN LAST DAY OF 2020 WINTER INVICTUS
Bronze in womens' skiing pushes Senria above winter goliath Cassier;
Dragons to return home with four gold medals as best Coian team

Senria's womens' speed skating team celebrate their gold medal victory in the 5,000 meter final.

February 22, 2020 | by Moriyasu Akibahara | Senrian athletes and fans alike are jubilant after Senria placed fifth in the medal table for the 2020 Winter Invictus games, beating out winter games goliath Cassier by a single point after winning the bronze medal in womens' skiing combined and earning the highest ranking of any Coian team at the tournament.

Senria earned its first medal of the tournament on February 9, with a bronze in mens' short track speed skating, where Senria has traditionally done well, and its first gold on the 13th for pairs figure skating. It earned subsequent golds in womens' downhill Aventine skiing, mens' ski jumping, womens' speed skating, a silver in team pursuit mens' speed skating, and its final bronze in combined womens' skiing earlier today. This final bronze pushed Senria up in the medal charts from eighth place to fifth, behind only Swetania, Gaullica, Caldia, and hosts Narozalica. With four gold medals, Senria earned the third most gold medals of any nation competing, behind only Caldia's eight and Narozalica's ten.

In addition to ranking only just behind many traditionally-dominant Euclean nations and beating Cassier, Senria came ahead of nations such as Azmara, Estmere, Etruria, Werania, and Chervolesia. Senria also ranked substantially higher than Xiaodong, which came in nineteenth place, and Xiaodong's ally Zorasan, which fell to fourteenth in the final day of the competition.

The medals won by Senria reflect its traditional dominance in skiing events, particularly Aventine skiing, which can be easily practiced for in Senria's mountainous terrain, and its excellence in speed skating. While this strong performance by Senrian athletes has earned much commendation, substantial attention and praise has gone to Senrian female athletes this Invictus, who won half of the team's medals and (including pairs figure skating, where each country is represented by a male-female pair) three out of four of its gold medals.

Speaking to the press, Eriko Akaza- a coach for Senria's Aventine skiing teams- told the press she was "immensely proud" of the performance by Senrian athletes. "We have performed exceptionally, and it was a deep honor to see our hard work and our sportsmanship reward us with a place in the top five," she stated. "The amount of work that our athletes have put in is exceptional, and it resulted in an exceptional performance."

Yahiro Omotehara, who won the gold medal in mens' ski jumping, expressed similar sentiments earlier today. "I thank our coaches for all their work, and our fans for all their support, because without them, we could not have performed as well as we did," he said. "It is a great honor to represent our country at this sort of stage, at this level, and I am glad that all of the hard work and support paid off as it has." Kotoe Rakuyama, one of Senria's contestants in pairs figure skating, congratulated the combined womens' skiing team on television after their victory, saying that "you have helped make sure that we can all be proud to be Senrians".

Prime Minister Reika Okura was one of many public figures who took to Twitter to congratulate Senrian athletes for their performance:

Reika Okura
@okurareika

On behalf of all Senrians, I congratulate Senria's athletes at #Invictus2020 ! They have shown both great athleticism and great sportsmanship, and performed excellently. We are proud of you and how you have represented us.

RETWEETSLIKES
4,34911,270

Secretary of Tourism and Sport Takahiro Sugawara stated to the press shortly afterwards that he would begin the processes necessary to award medal-winning athletes the Star of Athletic Talent, a national civil honor traditionally given to Senrian athletes who perform particularly well at the Invictus and other athletic events.

Many members of the general public expressed similar sentiments both on- and offline. Many Senrian fans on social media have posted videos combining footage of Senrian athletes winning and receiving medals with audio of the Senrian national anthem or other patriotic songs. Meanwhile, Zenzou Hatuda, a Senrian fan who traveled to Ulan Khol, told Mainiti Sinbun that he was "immensely proud" of the performance by Senrian athletes. "We could have won more medals, certainly, but we performed quite well, especially with regards to gold medals. I consider myself lucky to have seen our talented athletes in person."

Another Senrian fan, Asao Imamura, expressed agreement with Hatuda. "Our athletes and our coaches did a fantastic job, one that reflects well on all of Senria. All things considered, I'm not sure if we could have had a better team represent us here."

MORIYASU AKIBAHARA is a staff writer at Mainiti Sinbun. He graduated from Keisi University with a degree in journalism in 1998, and worked with both Keisi Sinbun and Sakata Sinbun before coming to Mainiti Sinbun. He currently lives in Keisi with his wife.

by **Etruria2** » Sun Feb 23, 2020 2:12 pm

Government removes the executive body of the National Invictus Committee citing "systemic failures."
The entire executive board of the Etrurian National Invictus Committee has been sacked and investgiation launched after poor showing by Etruria in Ulan Khol.
Matteo Tasa
^{23 February 16.00pm | Poveglia, Etruria}

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The government has officially announced the sacking of the entire executive of the National Invictus Committee. The Federal Ministry for Culture, Sports and National Identity has stated that, “consecutive failings in sporting events and clear misuse of government funding requires significant action.” The government has further announced that the NIC will undergo reform and restructuring to “ensure that government funding goes directly into the training and quality of our national sportspeople.”

Head of the NIC, Alcide Granzi reportedly heard of his removal through twitter.

The FMoCS announced the removal of the NIC executive in a statement posted online. The move was expected by some, with the government expressing serious displeasure at the failure of Etruria’s winter Invictus team to secure a top 10 position. The government further defended its position in the statement by saying, “since 2012, the federal government has spent over ₣1.9 billion on training, facilities and support infrastructure across multiple fields of sport. For Etruria to produce little this Winter Invictus and the previous Summer Games raises concerns that need addressing.”

The government accused the current executive body of the NIC of “systematic failings, misuse of government grants and funding, while adopting a highly questionable approach to sponsorship and training.”

The statement said further, “in wake of these concerns and failings, the Federal Ministry for Culture, Sports and National Identity is therefore taking decisive action and officially announcing the removal of the entire executive of the National Invictus Committee. A full-scale ministerial investigation into the NIC’s practices will take place in due course and its results will seek to recommend means of improvement and reform.”

Alcide Granzi, the Secretary-General of the Etrurian National Invictus Committee was attending the closing ceremony in Ulan Khol, where he reportedly discovered his removal from twitter. He spoke to ARE Sports after the ceremony telling reporters, “I can’t believe it, it’s a hatchet job. Our sportspeople did incredibly well against a highly talented global showing. Sacking us all won’t change the quality of our opponents.”

A government statement released earlier this evening rejected accusations that the sackings were politically motivated, with a spokesman saying, “the government has more important duties and responsibilities that conduct vendettas against individuals or officials. Etruria is a great sporting nation and recently, political appointees from previous pro-establishment governments have proven ineffectual or incompetent. This cannot be allowed when such serious investment by government is made into the NIC.”

The government hopes to appoint a new executive for the NIC in coming weeks, with reports that former national football coach, Federico Galtieri is being tipped for the role of Secretary-General.

The move has sparked renewed debate across Etruria, with several high-profile Invictus sportspeople coming out in defence of the government.

Augustina Zollo a gold-medalist in fencing told Orrizonte News, “I’ve heard plenty of stories of the NIC making a mess of training and team selection. The sub-committees, which head individual sports have had their proposed representatives at Winter and Summer games rejected by the NIC.”

Marco Barbarini a former head of the NIC described a “culture of patronage.” Speaking on Nuovo Giornali he said, “there’s a real culture of patronage in the NIC. Many of our Winter sportspeople this year were selected because they’re the children of either former sportspeople or because they’re related to NIC figures. When I ran the NIC in the late 2000s, we never had this. We based selection on skill and endurance, not who the mother or father was in the 1994 Winter Games.”

While the government has taken action against the NIC, the other growing story over this year’s games has been the vitriolic backlash against figure skating bronze-medallist Federica Luziani, who dedicated her medal to the women of Etruria, in protest against the ban on abortion.

The 22-year old has reportedly removed herself from social media after she began to receive death-threats for her intervention on the abortion debate. The young woman has also been to the police after her parent’s car was vandalised on Friday. Yesterday, the NIC issued a statement condemning the abuse aimed at Luziani saying, “no sportsperson who represents Etruria should be treated in this way. No person, man or woman should be punished for expressing an opinion.” The abuse has been blamed on football ultras, who have been “accused” of being violent or intimidating in support of right-wing causes or the Tribune Movement government.

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by **Union of Akoren** » Sun Feb 23, 2020 4:35 pm

Camille Chamoun - 28 Shevat, 5780 / Doshanbeh: 5. Esfand 1398 / 23 February 2020

Home · Tsabara · Bahia · International · Politics · Business · Technology and Science · Arts · Education · Health · Sports · Weather

East preparing for war - mobilisation, political consolidation and control

For the past two weeks the rebels have been mobilising thousands of men.

Adunis, Adunis Province -Since the government withdrawal from the eastern provinces two weeks ago, the situation in the East had radically changed. In the space of 14 days, not only has Sheik Faizan Salah united various fledgling militias under the command of the Irfanic Liberation and Resistance, while consolidating his political hold over the east through the Supreme Political and Resistance Committee. According to sources inside the east, the SPRC has launched a full-scale mobilisation of its territories and preparing for “full-out war” with the government.

The government’s withdrawal from the East was a “tough personal decision” for interim president Nazim al-Qutayni, but its effects on the ongoing crisis have been profound. With the complete shutdown on information from the east, the outside world has become reliant on unnamed and hidden sources, who have expressed fears of reprisal. According to hundreds of messages, the east has fallen under the “complete and total” control of Sheik Faizan and the League of the Righteous – the political Irfanic movement that propped up Atwan al-Tughluq in his final years.

The LR now dominates the so-called Supreme Political and Resistance Committee, a body that takes the form of a government, with ministries, offices and agencies and a military. The SPRC consists of LR leaders and the governors of Aïn Djasser, Juraynah, Hassani Abdelkrim and Qadessiyya. The SPRC’s control was solidified by the forced removal or disappearance of rival movements or militias. One source, said, “they hunted down any militia leader who refused to serve the SPRC, they literally killed them in the street or stole them away.” This has been corroborated by numerous sources but remains unverified.

While Sheik Salah reportedly holds the position of General-Secretary, Adavazdar al-Hassani, the governor of Qadessiyya leads the SPRC in political matters. The SPRC has established a “provisional assembly” to represent the territories it controls, but all representatives are reportedly members of the League of the Righteous. The SPRC has established its police force, using the provincial law enforcement bodies of the provinces under its control.

Perhaps most importantly, the SPRC has established a unified fighting force in the form of the Irfanic Liberation and Resistance (ILR), under the command of General Zahran al-Amari, the former commanding officer of the Tsabara Eastern Command. According to sources inside the East and from the federal government, the ILR could include up to 100,000 armed militants, alongside the 22,000 provincial guards and 30,000 defected troops from the regular armed forces. The ILR boasts tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery and anti-aircraft missiles.

Over the past week, sources inside the East have begun stressing stories of the ILR’s “mass spiritual mobilisation campaign”, in which they are reportedly calling on all males above the age of 19 to registered with the Central Resistance Office for conscription. Some sources have indicated that conscripts are being promised monthly payments to their families, while other sources claim that the SPRC are offering pay-outs to “martyrs.” It is not known how many have signed up or volunteered, but sources inside the East have said that in some cases, the ILR has pressganged men into service.

One group of unnamed sources claiming to be inside Sidi Amar, the stronghold of the SPRC, have described a growing number of men in the city “speaking in thick Pardarian accents.” Others have claimed seeing men of Hyndanian and Bahian ethnicity. At least two sources have claimed that there “many if not hundreds of Zorasanis in Sidi Amar, they’re helping the ILR set up.” None of these claims can be verified and the government could not be reached for comment on matter.

The government has claimed that the east is becoming a major hub of the Coian illegal arms trade, with one Ministry of Defence figure conceding, “the east is being flooded with weapons, we’re looking at thousands of rifles pouring across the porous border, with little to be done.”

The SPRC having seized control of provincial TV and radio stations has began establishing a prominent media presence across its territory. Numerous stations have been seized Al-Hidda, (“the Rage”), a long-time media outlet connected to the League of the Righteous. According to sources inside the East, Al-Hidda is the only channel accessible by people, while the SPRC has ordered the removal of satellite dishes from homes and business.

One area of deep concern to humanitarian groups and the government is the numerous claims by sources in the east of atrocities being committed against Atudite civilians who were unable to leave before the government’s withdrawal. While none of the claims have been independently verified, numerous sources have described a systematic expulsion of Atudites from the city of Beit Shajaf. Others have also described incidents in Sidi Amar and Hitteen.

The incident reported in Beit Shajaf began hours after unknown armed militia expelled Federal Armed Forces units from the city days before the withdrawal. The sources claimed that once FAF units had fled, these armed groups then proceeded in the Atudite quarter of the “Oil District” and began shooting Atudite families hiding in their homes. Those who weren’t shot were forced out of their homes with their belongings and driven to the east and told to go to Adiris. No word has come from the Adirian border on the status of these individuals. The government announced that it would investigate claims of atrocities and would be focusing on the alleged incident in Beit Shajaf.

According to the city’s last population estimate, the city of 130,000 had approximately 12,000 Atudites. These were primarily housed in the oil worker’s district, where gated communities separate it from the rest of the mostly deprived city. Most of these civilians had fled the city from last November, but at least 2,500 remained, it is not known how many of these individuals still reside in the city.

A government spokesperson said this morning at a press conference, “if these alleged atrocities did take place, then the situation our country finds itself in, will be entirely different. If this case in Beit Shajaf is proven to be legitimate, our pursuit for national salvation will be even greater and will prosecute the SPRC as war criminals.”

An SPRC statement posted online rejected accusations of atrocities against Atudites saying, “Atudites are not the Lions, just as Badawiyans are not Al-Isbah. Our purpose and journey is to establish a Tsabara that is beneficial to all its peoples, not just the Euclean controlled coastal elites, who allow vicious barbarism to be unleashed against innocents in the name of the status-quo. We do not kill innocents we fight for them. We fight for innocent Atudites, Sotirians and Irfani all the same.”

In recent days however, the sources we have come to rely upon have been saying the same thing – the East is preparing for all-out war against the government. They seek to take Adunis, to “reclaim the tomb of our Prophet and throw the enemies of God into the sea.” The mass conscriptions, the emergence of the weapons trade and the reorganisation of the militias all point to an impending offensive. The country may have enjoyed a “phoney war” for the past two weeks, but its clear it will break at any moment.

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by **Union of Akoren** » Sun Feb 23, 2020 5:35 pm

Central Command Council denounces Estmerish deployment
^{SURENA ALIZADEH, CHIEF DEFENCE CORRESPONDENT}
^{Doshanbeh: 5. Esfand 1398 |Zahedan}

Central Command Council member General Sadavir Hatami addressed reporters on behalf of the CCC.

The Central Command Council has denounced the deployment of Estmerish aircraft and pilots to western Tsabara in what they described as a “dangerous and worrying escalation of the situation.” Addressing reporters on the CCC’s behalf, General Sadavir Hatami said, “this region is already beset by dangerous and provocative deployments by radical and ignorant elements from the eastern hemisphere, now we have the country that ensured this war erupted with its Irfanophobic plots deploying military hardware.” The CCC has reportedly urged the government to cease all direct talks with Caldia over Estmere’s provocation.

The CCC’s intervention follows the announcement by Tsabaran state media that Estmere will providing pilots and trainers to “assist” the Tsabaran Air Force in “aerial counter-insurgency missions.” While the assistance to be provided was described as “minimal” by Gen. Hatami, he did accuse the Estmerish government of “willingly walking to the inevitable curse of mission creep.” The CCC also denounced it as a dangerous “internationalisation of the crisis.”

General Hatami said, “this crisis deepens day by day, pushed ever toward all-out war by the incompetence and weakness of the Tsabaran government. This incompetence is ignored or at least worsened by the unconditional support given to it to by some governments, especially the one in Ashcombe.” He went to say, “this government is the one that ensured this war’s eruption through its Irfanophobic plots and duplicitousness.”

“The CCC recognises that this assistance is minimalistic, though aiding the government in the inevitable mass bombing of civilians is quite negative enough. What this deployment does, is open the door to mission creep, no doubt the intention of the Estmerish government. I can assure you all, that any further direct deployments will alter the security situation in this region dramatically. When security situations change, we change with them” he said further.

In direct reference to the deployment of Chervolesian military units to Djedet, Gen. Hatami said, “this region is already beset by dangerous and provocative deployments by radical and ignorant elements from the eastern hemisphere.”

In response to the deployments, the Central Command Council has demanded that the government cease its direct talks with the Caldish government, which have been ongoing since the Yeruham Attacks last December.

“In wake of this Euclean deployment, the Central Command Council has demanded that the Union Ministry for Foreign Affairs immediately cease and withdraw from talks with the Caldish government. Though we praise the bravery and fortitude the Taoiseach, its clear that no progress has been made in maintaining a diplomatic role for outside powers” he said.

Under the constitution, the Central Command Council maintains a final say on foreign policy. This means that talks with Caldia will end within days, if they have not already.

In response to the Chervolesian and Estmerish deployments, Gen. Hatami conceded that the Union’s air force would be increasing its activity to the north and north-east.

“We will increase our patrols, ensuring our territorial integrity and the security of our airspace. No intrusion will be tolerated, and no quarter will be shown to any piece of military machinery that enters our airspace” he said.

In response to a question regarding the accusation that Zorasan is supporting the Irfanic Liberation and Resistance forces under Sheik Faizan Salah, Gen. Hatami said, “these accusations were always inevitable. When faced the consequences of his own incompetence and thirst for power, the acting president in Tsabara, with his friends in Ashcombe will produce whatever lie is necessary.”

In a related development, the Zorasani Refugee Assistance Agency (ZRAA) has established its first processing camp in northern Irvadistan. Since the Mazar Attacks on January 17, up to 98,000 Tsabarans have fled into northern Zorasan. The government last night announced that it was preparing three more such camps in coming weeks, in anticipation for a major escalation of violence in the northern neighbour.

©SABRP. 2020

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by **The Kingdom of Glitter** » Sun Feb 23, 2020 6:29 pm

CALDISH DIPLOMATS ALARMED BY ESTMERISH INTERVENTION IN TSABARA
The deployment of Estmerish fighter jets and pilots to train their Tsabaran counterparts marks an escalation

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Cathleen O'Neil (@cathyogbf)
^{24 February 2020 | Spálgleann, Caldia}

Foreign Minister Séamus Ó Faoláin said the Caldish government was "monitoring the situation" in Tsabara when reached for comment.

SPÁLGLEANN – Estmere's recently announced military assistance to the acting Tsabaran government has provoked alarm in Spálgleann, where officials are concerned about the impact such a move would have on tensions in the region. An already volatile situation inflamed by sectarian conflict could get worse, as Caldish foreign policymakers fear that the situation will continued to escalate.

On Saturday, Tsabara's interim president Nazim al'Qutayni announced the Estmerish government had agreed to provide military aid to the internationally recognized government he leads. Estmerish pilots have already been sent to bases throughout Tsabara in order to train the qualified pilots in aerial counter-insurgency. A number of Estmerish fighter jets have also been sent to the country, where they will be based out of bases near the capital of Adunis.

The Estmerish government is hoping to curtail the rise of Irfanic militant groups with suspected ties to the Zorasani government. Unilateral Estmerish intervention comes after peace talks sponsored by the Caldish government collapsed in the wake of terrorist attacks that targeting Irfanic sites of worship. In response, the Zorasani military launched a series of strikes against the group responsible for the attacks - known as the Lions of the Homeland.

Caldish diplomats and foreign policy experts have spent the weekend discussing the government's continued approach to the political crisis in Tsabara. Previous attempts to avoid sectarian conflict failed when talks between the acting government and a power Irfanic cleric folded last month.

There are growing concerns among Caldish foreign policymakers that Estmere will continue to act unilaterally. The Euclean Community has been slow to response to the crisis in Tsabara, with an internal divide over how to approach the issue. There is a near consensus that sectarian violence in Tsabara could result in a major humanitarian crisis, but member-states have failed to reach an accord on how to proceed. A group of smaller members led by the Caldish government were able to delay any direct EC involvement until after the Caldish-mediated peace talks collapsed.

The Caldish government was supportive of efforts to officially declare support for al'Qutayni's government and to provide humanitarian assistance. However, like many other member-states there was a skepticism for Estmerish proposals calling for material aid. Caldsh diplomats indicate that skepticism remains, but it has not deterred the Estmerish from acting independently of the EC.

One Caldish diplomat warned that Estmerish involvement in Tsabara would lead to further instability and a rise in tensions between the EC and Zorasan.

"In the end it is all fairly simple. If Estmere wants to act independently of the [Euclean] Community, it is going to do so" the diplomat said. "Such an approach will obviously mark a significant escalation in tensions in the region, generating further instability and pushing Tsabara closer to all-out civil war".

Fears among Caldish diplomats are not without merit. Since peace talks collapsed, the Tsabaran withdrew from its Irfanic majority eastern provinces. In their stead, Irfanic militias and provincial governments have risen. A rival government to al'Qutayni's has now formed, led by the powerful Sheik Faizan Salah. Forces loyal to Salah's unrecognized government are well equipped and potentially number in the hundreds of thousands, as militants are bolstered by provincial guards and military defectors.

Zorasan has denounced Estmerish aid to the Tsabaran government and there have been reports in the Zorasani press that the government would suspend all direct talks with the Caldish government. One Caldish diplomat confirmed that the Zorasani government had actually suspended all communication with Spálgleann over Tsabara.

"That back-channel has now closed, meaning it becomes harder for the EC and Zorasan to reach any sort of accord over Tsabara" the official said.

The Caldish government has declined to officially comment on Estmerish intervention in Tsabara. When asked to comment, Foreign Minister Séamus Ó Faoláin simply stated that the Caldish government was "monitoring the situation" and declined to elaborate further. Statements made by a Minister of Foreign Affairs spokesperson echoed Mr. Ó Faoláin's remarks.

However, there is a growing uneasiness within Clare House over Estmere's involvement in Tsabara. Caldish officials have indicated the government will not officially alter its position to go against that of the EC, but that some policymakers favor an approach that would chastise their Estmerish counterparts. The Caldish government is also understood to be concerned about the acquisition of foreign military bases in Badawiya and Bahia, with both Chervolesia and Zorasan securing permanent bases in recent weeks.

Tensions remain high in the region and there have already been reports of atrocities against Tsabara's civilian population at the hands of Sheikh Salah's government. Spálgleann is worried that this will continue and intensify as time passes, with a proxy-war coming to dominate the Tsabaran conflict. One source within the Foreign Ministry indicated the government is worried that there could be millions of people displaced by the conflict.

"You have ethnic and religious minorities in different parts of the country faced with a series threat not just to their human rights, but to their very lives. In a nightmare scenario, these people will flee in desperation and attempt to cross the Aurean Straits. As the world's busiest water-way and one of the a narrowest, the must be avoided at all costs" the official remarked. Such a position is common throughout the EC, where bloc President Alexis Walker has made similar comments in the past.

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by **Eskaeba** » Tue Feb 25, 2020 10:20 am

2020 PORTO LESTE SUMMIT: A SUMMARY
February 25, 2020 | Porto Leste, Maracao
Written by João Felix

Maracan President Adão Costa annd Belmontese President Caetano Villa-Lobos.

Today saw diplomatic representatives from the Republic of Maracao and United Republic of Belmonte meet for a diplomatic summit in the Maracan capital of Porto Leste. It is the first major summit between the two countries and looked to formalise the good relations the two had recently enjoyed. Many diplomatic staff attended the summit, however notable attendees were Maracan President Adão Costa and Belmontese President Caetano Villa-Lobos.

Continuation of warm relations between the two countries was largely agreed upon by the two parties, with both having strategic benefits for allying with one another. Both states, often called the "Lusophone" states, as the only two countries with Lusitan as a primary and officially-spoken langauge, have increasingly cooperated with each other since Castelonovo's Social Democratic Party and Socialist Bloc entered a coalition government in 2015. Relations between the two countries have been pivotal and polarising, owing to Belmonte's membership to the Asterian Forum for Development and Cooperation, an organisation whose disdain towards Maracao is far from secret. One significant achievement of the summit in this department is the opening of a new Belmontese embassy in Porto Leste, scheduled for 2021, making it the first official diplomatic presence in the form of an embassy of any AFDC-member country.

The summit also saw to iron out trade deals between the two nations. It is understood that the two will enter small trade agreements with regards to custom checks and tariffs, and that both states are looking to further expand trade links in the future. Travel was also a topic on the agenda for the summit, with significant progress being made in regards to the frequency and thoroughness of links between the two countries. Increases in flight destinations into Belmonte and Maracao and the expansion of pre-existing routes is to be expected in the near future as Maracao looks to expand its rapidly-growing tourism industry in the Arucian, with major progress already being seen in the transformations of cities like Cabo Gaspar, Covancas and Rozem into tourist-friendly resorts. Sea links are also being expanded as Belmontese cruises increase stops in Maracao - particularly Porto Leste - and ferries departing from Maracao looking to increase stops on Belmontese shores, with emphasis on the coastal cities of Pinheiros and Guanabara.

Trade talks also touched on the subject of Maracan jurisdiction of their exclusive economic zone in the Arucian Straits, with it being known that Villa-Lobos and Castelonovo have secured agreements with Maracao for the free passage of Belmontese shipping through the straits, without the threat of Maracan seizure. However the agreement also mentions an exception clause, noting "extreme circumstances that threaten the integrity of the Maracan nation and its people" as a circumstance by which seizure may be justified by Porto Leste.

However, most importantly, the summit has set a precedence. With Maracao becoming a growing economy that is now branching out into the international world, through cooperation with members of the Association for International Socialism, the expansion of its already-growing tourism industry, links to socialism in Coius, newly-established links with Belmonte and the desire for some parties within countries such as Eldmark and Imagua and the Assimas to sever official ties with the AFDC, Maracao is slowly and surely becoming a power to be reckoned with in the Arucian. The summit has also displayed the desire for AFDC member states such as Belmonte to free itself from the influence of Gatôn and Pietersburg in determining its foreign policy and international allies.

© Tempos de Maração, 2020

by **Imagua and the Assimas** » Tue Feb 25, 2020 6:01 pm

OUTRAGE AS BELMONTE SIGNS TRADE DEAL WITH MARACAN REGIME
President Edmondo Privitera summons Belmontese ambassador to lodge a formal protest against Belmontese government

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JOE TEIXEIRA (@JoeTeix)
26 February, 2020 12:01 IST | CUANSTAD, IMAGUA AND THE ASSIMAS

Photo from propaganda outlet Tempas da Maração

Today, Maracan propaganda outlets reported that President Caetano Villa-Lobos of Belmonte met with Maracan dictator Adão Costa to discuss increased cooperation between the two Lusophone states. Maracan propaganda outlets reported that Belmonte will open an embassy in Porto-Leste next year, which would make Belmonte the first member state of the Asterian Forum for Development and Cooperation to have an embassy in Maracao, as well as establish trade deals between Belmonte and Maracao, as well as ensuring "free" passage of Belmontese ships through Maracan waters.

As soon as these reports reached Cuanstad, President Edmondo Privitera summoned Sandro Coutinho, ambassador from Belmonte, to the Red House to lodge a formal protest against the decision to negotiate an agreement with the Maracan authorities, saying in a tweet that "cannot nor should it tolerate a relationship between a fellow AFDC state and a state who continues to illegally occupy territory of an AFDC member state, let alone one who continues to commit piracy!"

Party leaders across the country have expressed their reaction, with Douglas Egnell, leader of the Democratic Labour Party saying that "This act by Belmonte is a grave insult to the AFDC, considering that Maracao is occupying territory of an AFDC member state," and that "the AFDC needs to take decisive action to ensure that this agreement does not go through."

National Party leader Giocondo Stasio said that "this agreement [between Belmonte and Maracao] is worrying, as it undermines the strength of the Asterian Forum for Development and Cooperation, and empowers the current regime in Maracao to be more aggressive to the rest of the world. By giving Maracao a backdoor into the AFDC, we are concerned that Maracan products will be able to enter the Common Market, and thus undermine our efforts to contain Maracan aggression." Stasio urged the AFDC to either force Belmonte to "not go through with the deal," or else suspend it from the AFDC.

Leader Dalmazio Pasquarello of the Movement for a New Imagua stated that "this agreement [between Belmonte and Maracao] is a stab on the back to those who lost their lives at Dunhelm, to those who have suffered under the oppressive thumb of the Maracan regime, and to all free nations in the Asterias. If the AFDC were to turn a blind eye to this agreement, if they allow this agreement to occur, they may as well show us the door."

Green Party leader Mystelle Stone told ITS that "we are concerned that this agreement will harm the environment just for the pursuit of short term profits while the ordinary person suffers the effects of climate change and sees no improvement as a result of this agreement."

Elsewhere in the Arucian, it has been met with hostile responses, with Eldish Prime Minister Tyra Brahe stating that "there are things that bind us that matter more than language," and that "by ignoring that, we all may pay the price," while Nuvanian Chief Minister Robert Marten warning that there would be consequences if Belmonte recognises "a regime that commits terrorism against its own people."

More as the story develops.

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© DAYSTAR MEDIA 2020

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Protests in Nua Taois against continuing occupation of Dunhelm Island by Maracao [ 5951 ]
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by **Nuvania** » Tue Feb 25, 2020 7:46 pm

Opinion: I Want To Break Free: Is Belmonte's Surprise Summit A Bid For Diplomatic Sovereignty?

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Samuel Hofmeyr (Professor of International Studies at the University of Pietersburg)
26 February (1:50pm)

As I do every Saturday, I wandered out to the mailbox and pulled out a number of typical white envelopes. Among the usual requests for money from various utilities companies, government departments, and private companies there was a demand for money from a "health and wellbeing retreat" where they cover your body in clay or chocolate or something for "exfoliation". The demand for money, was $1,500.

Needless to say it was a rather unpleasant surprise.

I asked my wife about it, she said "don't worry I'm using my money", and that was that.

So when it was revealed, by Maracan media no less, that the Belmontese President Caetano Villa-Lobos had flown to Maracao to establish closer diplomatic and economic ties. This is especially unusual given that Belmontese media, and even the offices of the politicians that made the visit, were dead silent about the visit. This of course, like the bill for $1,500 to cover yourself in confectionary, came as a nasty surprise to the government, as Belmonte until now was considered to be a government that largely supported the Asterian Forum for Development and Cooperation's (AFDC) stance on the dispute over Dunhelm Island.

I don't blame you if you don't know where Dunhelm Island is, or why it's significant. The island was part of the Estmerish colonial territory of Imagua, which in 1945 had stationed a militia on the island in order to defend it from a potential attack from the Assimas, which was then part of Etruria. For reasons still to be revealed by the Maracan regime, the island was invaded and annexed during the Solarian War, with Imagua unable to defend the island due to the threat posed by Etrurian forces stationed in the Assimas. The van Vollenhoven government at the time issued a condemnation of the invasion, but did not want to engage in hostilities against Maracao as it had no disputes with the communist regime. To this day, no Nuvanian government since 1945 has ever recognised the Maracan occupation.

With the formation of the short-lived Windstrand Protocol and the Treaty of Gatôn, otherwise known as the Closer Economic Relations Accord (CERA), signed in 1948, the issue over Dunhelm Island was raised again, and became a broader political unwritten political agreement between signatory states. With the asenscion of Imagua and the Assimas to CERA in 1950, the dispute became essentially one of the few diplomatic questions on which the signatory states had a unified answer two. This did not chance once CERA transitioned into the AFDC and the closer economic and political ties among member states. With the Chervolesian Revolution in 1980, and the Bush Wars in central Asteria Inferior, the AFDC not only represented an economic union between its member states, it became essentially a collective defence agreement. Governments recognised that funding for communist terror cells, as well as weapons, were being funneled through one conduit: Maracao.

There is more to Maracao's power and influence with regard to the AFDC than state sponsored terrorism. Maracao straddles some of the busiest shipping lanes anywhere in the world, and it has the power to pose direct threats to trillions of dollars in cargo passing through annually. Much of this cargo going to and from AFDC member ports and forms a crucial component of continued economic growth of AFDC economies. Maracao essentially threatens the very economic core of the AFDC, hence why there is, more or less, a unilateral stance towards the regime in Porto Leste.

But why is the Belmontese visit so surprising? The truth is that it isn't. The left wing coalition government in Castelonovo has been making overtures regarding closer ties for Maracao since it was elected, but until now has only spoken of these ties, not acted upon them. It recognised that engaging in diplomatic engagements with Maracao was not going to be profitable in terms of political capital, and thus had largely placed such moves on the backburner. Until very recently. While it takes a significant amount of time and planning for engagements such as this, it was likely only given the go ahead within the last few weeks as other cracks in terms of "diplomatic independence" began to appear in the organisation. Given that both Belmonte and Maracao have a shared colonial history, similar cultures, and a common language, it is not surprising that the two countries would want to become closer economically. The Belmontese government kept the preparations secret purely to avoid negative reactions from other AFDC members, which judging how strongly Castelonovo has been condemned, seems to have been a complete waste of time and only strengthened the concerns AFDC governments have.

Unsurprisingly, the Tempos de Maração, the principal mouthpiece of the Porto Leste regime, declared the summit as "the desire for AFDC member states such as Belmonte to free itself from the influence of Gatôn and Pietersburg in determining its foreign policy and international allies." Unfortunately for the propagandists at the Tempos de Maração, the claim that this represents a bid for freedom of sorts is completely wrong. It would be hard to make a bid for freedom from countries that collectively represent the two largest destinations for Belmontese exports, and combined represent 57% of Belmontese imports. Whatever the left wing coalition does, it needs to keep its reliance on Nuvanian and Satucine trade in mind, and with that comes the potential for serious consequences.

How the AFDC handles this "break in ranks" will very much affect the organisation for decades to come, and for both Nuvania and Satucin, it represents a delicate balance between firmness and tact. Clearly an AFDC member establishing diplomatic relations and trade agreements with Maracao is not permissible, and needs to be dealt with accordingly. However, the organisation risks pushing Castelonovo away from the AFDC if the punishment is too severe. Nuvania at least has a means of making the trade relationship between Belmonte and Maracao inconvenient, through reducing supplies of certain export goods and preventing both Belmontese and Maracan ships from transiting the Van Horn Strait between the Asteria Inferior mainland and the island nation of Vlissingemond. Undoubtedly Satucin will pursue similar pressure tactics.

Life is full of nasty surprises, be it a $1,500 bill for your wife covering herself in chocolate or your next door neighbour hugging communists. How you deal with them is one of life's greatest challenges.

Now, excuse me while I find some chocolate...

by **Nuvania** » Thu Feb 27, 2020 3:47 am

Foreign Ministry Expresses Concerns Over Belmontese-Maracan Diplomacy

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Susanne Paulson (@SuePaulson)
27 Feburary (1:00pm)|PIETERSBURG

Foreign Minister Maarten Van Doorne speaks to media.

Nuvania's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maarten Van Doorne, has expressed concerns over the recent diplomatic summit between the governments of Belmonte and Maracao, saying that the diplomatic and trade agreements "go completely against established diplomatic policies and norms in place for well over half a century."
"Member states of the AFDC (Asterian Forum for Development and Cooperation) have not conducted any unnecessary diplomacy with Maracao since the 1940's," he said. "This represents a significant and concerning change regarding AFDC member states."

Van Doorne said that he could understand the cultural and linguistic ties between Belmonte and Maracao, but said that the government in Castelonovo should have informed AFDC member states first.
"This unilateralism and keeping things from each other goes against everything the AFDC stands for," he said. "If member states cannot be open about their diplomacy and be open about their intentions, then we may as well not have the AFDC at all."

He also said that the decision to keep the diplomatic summit a secret not only put strain on the relationship between Belmonte and the AFDC, but also put significant strain on the relationship between Belmonte and Nuvania.
"This government has no problems with that which currently holds power in Belmonte," he said. "There's no political clash here. But there is a serious breach of trust between our two governments, which does not bode well for future relations if the government in Castelonovo decides to test our goodwill. We don't want to have to act, but we also will not tolerate such behaviour."

The Foreign Minister did not comment on what the government would do in response to the diplomatic summit. He did say that he had spoken to his Belmontese counterpart and expressed the government's views on the summit.
"I've spoken with the foreign ministry in Castelonovo and told him that we do not appreciate being kept in the dark, and we do not appreciate secrets being kept from us." He also said that if the Belmontese government wanted to maintain good relations with Nuvania, it would have to "be open and honest with us in the future."

Maracao has been a communist state since a successful revolution brought the Revolutionary Liberation Front (FLR) to power in 1935. It has been widely considered to be a conduit of funding and weapons for various left-wing terrorist groups operating in the Asterias, including out of Vilcasuamanas during the Bush War. Although not directly implicated, Maracao is believed to have at least provided some assistance to a left-wing terror cell that operated in Kaap and Etten provinces in the 1980's which was responsible for a number of bombings, shootings, and arson attacks. In recent years, the government has engaged in a number of threatening incidents, including the seizure of the Satucine cargo vessel, the MV Marie Jolie, and her crew in 2013, drawing widespread condemnation. Nuvania has not engaged in any direct diplomacy with Maracao since the revolution, and Nuvanian passport holders are forbidden from travelling to or through Maracao.

Much of the tension between Maracao and the AFDC stems from Maracao's invasion and occupation of Dunhelm Island in 1945, which has since remained under continued occupation by Maracao. Succesive governments have since followed what is known as the "Von Vollenhoven Doctrine": a refusal to engage diplomatically with Maracao until the island is returned to Imagua and the Assimas. Similar policies have been enacted by other AFDC member states, and to this day no member of the AFDC recognises the island as part of Maracao.

Van Doorne said that future announcements regarding the diplomatic summit will be made. He has said that he has spoken with other foreign ministers of member states to coordinate a response to this summit.
"We are working through the finer details but expect measures to be taken."

by **Beumontte** » Thu Feb 27, 2020 6:04 pm

» International backlash hits Belmonte after presidential trip to Maracao
» Imaguan President Edmondo Privitera was one of the several world leaders that condemned the meeting

Renata Gaspar (@renatagaspar)
Feb 26, 2020 | Castelonovo

President Caetano Villa-Lobos is in the centre of an international
crisis caused by his visit to Maracao this week.

CASTELONOVO - Yesterday, the president Caetano Villa-Lobos, alongside a delegation composed by diplomats, politicians and other personalities visited Maracao and participated in a summit to the development of better relations with the two countries, meeting with Maracan president Adão Costa. It's the first time in history that a Belmontese president visits the island and is the first time that an executive member meets a Maracan president since 1997, where the then prime minister Jorge Castelo also met with president Costa in Pinheiros. Furthermore, it's the first time that a head of state of an AFDC country steps on the island.

The meeting officially began with the arrival of the Belmontese entourage in the Porto Leste International Airport, being welcomed by politicians, military personnel and their Minister of Foreign Affairs Geraldo da Silva. After that, Villa-Lobos walked through the streets of the city, talked with civilians and at the end spoke in the municipal chamber, saying that such a meeting was indeed a "historical moment", and proceeded to defend greater ties between the two lusophone countries, the resolution of problems through the use of diplomacy and the reduction of poverty, where he commented about the efforts made by several Belmontese governments, regional and national, to reduce inequality and other social problems. Following the speech, the president went into the summit and met with president Costa, his ministers and supporters, greeting him with a handshake.

Over the rest of the day, the meeting was marked with several treaties and arrangements considered to be of unprecedented nature in the diplomatic history of both countries, with the two presidents promising together the construction of an embassy in Castelonovo until 2021 as a way to strengthen Belmontese and Maracan ties. In the economic field, it was begun a series of agreements related to international trade with the purpose of reducing taxes and tariffs as well as the opening of more Belmontese ports and the expansion of old naval and air routes, both cargo and passenger ones, to the cities of Porto Leste, Convancas and Rozem, which has been receiving thousands of tourists every year. Another important deal signed yesterday refers to Belmontese ships transiting in Maracan waters, with the new treaty impeding that ships could be seized while crossing the Arucian. At the end of the day, a compromise was signed to promote lusophone cultural interests in the region and president Villa-Lobos addressed to the summit again, saying that diplomacy should always prevail and expressing his hopes that Maracan conflicts with the AFDC would be settled only with the use of peace and regional communication. After that, the delegation went back to Belmonte.

The presidential trip was a surprise to many political analysts due to a series of factors, being the most relevant one the turbulent relationship between Maracao and the AFDC, which impeded and thwarted more deep negotiations just like the ones that were signed yesterday despite the numerous efforts of past left-wing governments, mainly during the prime ministership of Jorge Castelo, Lucas Dutra and Félix Bragança, all of them without success. Additionally, the general election that's scheduled to happen in April could damage the image of the meeting in the upcoming days, at least internally.

» The national and international reactions

Immediately after the beginning of the trip, several declarations, both domestic and foreign, were announced, being positive and negative ones. In Belmonte, the leader of the opposition João Sócrates (UCN/Guanabara) heavily criticised the visit, claiming that the president made the country "subject itself in one of its biggest humiliations in the history at the same time that ridicules the AFDC and its old partner Imagua, while also supports the communist ideology and one of the most disgusting dictatorships in Asteria." Using a less aggressive tone, the leaders of the Citizens' Alliance and the People's Centrist Union condemned the decision through a joint declaration, in which they state that the visit only helps to maintain "an authoritarian regime that compromises our image in the world."

Yet, the prime minister Rita Maurino and her party, the PSD, supported the meeting in a post in a social media, saying that the same is a "great step towards peace in the region and the end of outdated conflicts," and defended the president by saying that he only treated about non-ideological matters, which is the responsibility of the chief of state according to the constitution. The Socialist Bloc, Green Party and Social Worker's Party also declared statements showing similar support.

However, the majority of international reactions had a very negative stance. The Imaguan President Edmondo Privitera widely criticised the meeting, sending a formal protest against the new agreements to the Belmontese embassy in Cuanstad and declaring through a social media post that he will not tolerate the relation between a member-state of the AFDC with Maracao, which, according to him, "illegally occupies the territory of another AFDC country and commits piracy." Privitera talks about the situation of Revolution Island, a region that is disputed and claimed by the two countries. The prime ministers of Eldmark, Tyra Brahe, and Nuvania, Robert Marten, also declared to be against the meeting and supported more radical punishments, such as the expulsion of Belmonte in the association, if this relation doesn't cease.

Until now, the presidency of the republic decided to not comment about the issue. Nevertheless, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs released this morning a letter to the press, where it's said that Belmonte is a "sovereign nation, which could perform international treaties based on its own strategical criteria" and that always left it clear about its objective of "maintaining a good relationship with all Asterian nations, including the Republic of Maracao, especially due to its cultural and linguistical bonds." The letter also reiterated the Belmontese position of being against every act that harms international laws and asked that the resolution of old conflicts stays "limited among the nations involved in such." The government did not comment over the threats of expulsion of the AFDC.

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by **Imagua and the Assimas** » Thu Feb 27, 2020 7:12 pm

WHO ARE THE DUNHELMERS?
Allen Goodheart, oldest Dunhelmer in Imagua interviewed

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ROBERT MOSES (@BobMoses)
28 February, 2020 13:12 IST | NUA TAOIS, SAINT ISIDORE'S

Allen Goodheart, oldest surviving Dunhelmer

In 1945, as Maracao occupied Dunhelm Island, 435 people left their native home for what would ultimately be the last time in their lives. Of the 435 who left the island in 1945, only thirty-one individuals remaining, each at least in the mid-seventies, which makes time of the essence if we want to preserve the memories, the heritage of Dunhelm Island before the occupation and subsequent communist oppression.

We meet up with one of the last Dunhelm Islanders at a cafe in Nua Taois. At the age of ninety-six, going on ninety-seven, Allen Goodheart is the oldest Dunhelmer residing in Imagua. Despite his age, he still remains active in community life, as the owner of a cafe, decorated with memorabilia of Dunhelm Island as it were.

After exchanging greetings, we were ready for the interview. "What was it like to grow up on Dunhelm Island?" I ask.

"It was a simple life," he replied. "My earliest memories were Dunhelm Island being occupied by the Gaullicans, and my 'ometown renamed to Port Noir. It was not as bad as it were in the rest of Imagua, but I was probably shielded from the worst of the occupation by my parents. I remember playing with my childhood friends, and well, it was such a carefree time: we had island music, an island way of life. 'owever, when I was 13 and the island was liberated, all the older people celebrated this freedom. But once the dust settled, and while plenty of children were born, there was still not a lot of opportunity: it was either farming, fishing, or working at one of the few shops or the bank in 'enryton. I was considering moving to town, but I know I could never afford it."

"Do you remember when Maracao occupied the island?" I ask.

"As clear as day: it all 'appened very quickly," he said. "We only 'ad ten soldiers, and a constable, against the 'orde of Maracas that came after us. Before we knew it, it was all over: the flag of Imagua was unceremoniously torn, the Maracan flag raised, and I knew that I had to leave: if I stayed on Dunhelm, like many of my childhood friends did, God knows what would happen to me, and I would not be able to get a better life here in town. So I hopped on one of the few boats leavin', it was quite full, about thirty or so people, but we made it to Nua Taois."

"What did you do once you got into town?"

"I found a suitable job, a 'ome, I found a gal from 'ere, married 'er, and had three kids with 'er. I worked at the port 'ere for twenty-three years, then because them Maracas were committing piracy and this thing called containerization, the port was downsized, as more traffic went to the big city," Goodheart said. "So in '68, I open this little cafe here in the 'eart of town, and I made it so it reminded people of my 'ome back on the island. And that's what I've been doing ever since."

"Do you think that Dunhelm Island will ever be freed?"

"When I first came to Nua Taois, I 'oped that our lads would liberate Dunhelm from them Maracas, but they didn't go because something about Etrurians and the Assimas. By the time they got around to it, it was getting close to demob time, and combined with the fact the Maracas built up their presence, our lads lost, badly. We disbanded our army, and with recent developments, I do not think I will ever see Dunhelm Island be freed in my lifetime, or 'ell, even my great-great-grandchildren's lifetime."

"So, does that mean Maracao should administer Dunhelm Island?" I ask.

"Never," Goodheart curtly responded. "The Maracas can occupy it for one hundred, one thousand, one million years, and it won't ever be legitimate. I don't care if they ditch their communism thing, and become a democracy like us, but it'll never be legitimate. End of story."

It was getting late now, but I had one last question. "Do you miss the island?"

"Certainly," he said. "I would love to return back to my childhood 'ome, to see how it changed because of the occupation, to see what happened to the places I used to play, to visit, to the people that I knew. But I know it cannot 'appen, because I made my decision to flee to town because I did not want to suffer under the Maracas."

"Thank you for your time, Mr. Goodheart."

"You are very welcome. I 'ope that will ensure that the memory of the Dunhelmers survives those who will forget."

You can watch the full interview here.

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by **Etruria2** » Fri Feb 28, 2020 1:33 am

President Carcaterra hints at EC ties reset
Rapprochement likely following visit by President Alexis Walker.
Matteo Tasa
^{24 February 16.00pm | Poveglia, Etruria}

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President Francesco Carcaterra has hinted that the government is preparing for a “major reset” in relations with the Euclean Community, following a “very productive and informative” visit by Commission President Alexis Walker on Sunday.

The president made the comments at a press conference. Telling reporters, “the threats this continent face require a continental response. This is a moment for recognising and respecting our shared interests.”

The visit by Alexis Walker has been described as positive by both sources in the EC and Poveglia. One source in the foreign ministry described a “surprising affinity” between the two leaders. The source further said, “one is a liberal, the other is one described as a nationalist populist, yet they got on well.”

President Carcaterra marked their first official meeting since he entered office four years ago by gifting President Walked a copy of “La Circlone” by renaissance era Doge Cesare Enrico Candreva, bounded in original Poveglian leather. The book is widely seen as one the first thesis on political liberalism.

President Walker gifted her Etrurian counterpart a series of books covering Caldish myths and legends, owing to the President’s interest in mythological stories and creatures from history.

The source in Poveglia said, “there was apprehension considering the political differences but they very quickly vanished after they exchanged the official gifts.”

At the press conference, President Carcaterra praised the talks for their frankness, “we both made clear our differences, we recognised that while Etruria and the EC will differ on issues. These differences do not constitute reasons for opposition or tension.”

He went on to say, “we can be different and yet progress together, we can be different but closely linked. We are Euclean and our continent and nations deserve a renewed friendship.”

While the result of the talks may surprise many, the president had held a large number of meetings with the Federal Cabinet and groups of Tribune Movement senators. He had spent much of last night in the company of leading figures from the right of the party which constitutes the hardline Eucloskeptic faction. According to sources close to those present, the president hoped to allay fears over rapprochement telling them, “the EC has agreed to allow Etruria to go its own way, just as they expect Etruria to allow the EC to develop its own way. It went down well.”

With the party seemingly behind him, the president today appeared confident to announce the plan for rapprochement.

“Today I can confirm that high level talks are ongoing and will continue between the Etrurian government and the EC, covering a multitude of issues, including Tsabara, the threat of Zorasan and bi-lateral issues including the Piraean question. It is our mutual hope and intention that these talks will deliver a new age of EC-Etrurian friendship” he said.

The president also used the press conference to condemn the latest developments in Tsabara.

He said, “very quickly it will become apparent that the crisis in Tsabara will produce two options, either a reunified and stable Tsabara friendly to all nations, or a Zorasani puppet state on the door step of Euclea. Under no circumstances can Etruria permit such a threat to Euclean security come to be.”

When asked if recent developments in the east had changed Etruria’s position, the president said, “the Etrurian government is more than willing to provide Tsabara the means and tools to defeat the radical extremists who threaten them and us. But only if it is requested.”

The Etrurian Navy has reportedly deployed several squadrons to the Solarian Sea following an notable increase in Zorasani naval activity. Last Friday saw the detection of a submarine widely believed to be Zorasani several miles west of Etrurian waters off the coast of Tarpeia.

A statement from the Ministry of Defence yesterday read, “the Etrurian Defence Force has noted a marked increase in Zorasani naval activity in the Solarian Sea and has responded with the necessary measures to ensure the security of maritime traffic through the sea.”

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by **Nuvania** » Fri Feb 28, 2020 9:33 pm

Opposition Leader Criticises Government Response

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Susanne Paulson (@SuePaulson)
29 Feburary (3:30pm)|PIETERSBURG

Leader of the Opposition, Andrew Bohn.

The Leader of the Opposition, Andrew Bohn, has criticised the government's response to the Belmontese diplomatic summit, calling the threats made by the Chief Minister "childish", and said that diplomacy should be considered when dealing with these matters.
"It's embarrassing that we have a Chief Minister who is happy to make threats to the heads of government and heads of state of fellow AFDC (Asterian Forum for Development and Cooperation) members," Bohn said during an interview on NTV's Review last night. "It's even worse that we have an electorate that rewards this kind of behaviour."

Bohn further criticised the government response to the Belmontese diplomatic summit, saying that any punitive measures would be "counterproductive to what he wants to achieve."
"Look, we both agree that keeping the AFDC is the better that letting it fall apart," he said. "But threatening countries and governments that dare step out of line on whatever policy the AFDC has, written or unwritten, is going to do more to split it apart than anything the separatists can say. It's doing their job for them." He went onto say that he could understand the Imaguan response to this, but said that the response would be "far more detrimental".
"I can understand that Cuanstad is upset about this but again, what is better for Imagua? The AFDC existing, or the AFDC not existing?"

The comments come days after the President of Belmonte, Caetano Villa-Lobos made an official visit to Maracao, the first by any head of state or government in the AFDC. The diplomatic summit saw the signing of agreements on trade and diplomatic relations, including the opening of a Belmontese embassy in Porto Leste, the Maracan capital.

AFDC opposition to the summit stems from the refusal to engage with Maracao diplomatically over Maracao's occupation of Dunhelm Island, which it invaded and seized in 1945.

In recent years the regime of Adão Costa has soured relations with the AFDC significantly, including the seizure of a Satucine freighter in 2013.

Bohn said that the Democratic Action Party (DAP) was not going to change its policy with regards to Maracao, and said that it would remain committed to ensuring the peaceful return of Dunhelm Island to Imagua.
"We're not about to go around changing the status quo here," he said. "But we recognise that making threats and acting like a petulant child is not the right course of action." He said that he understood Belmonte's reasoning for the summit, owing to cultural and linguistic ties.
"It'd be no different if it was us in the same situation," he said. "If Vlissingemond for example had invaded and occupied an island and we were part of an organisation that forbid diplomatic relationships with that country, we'd happily step out of line in order to grow closer ties."

He also said that he understood the reaction the government had with regards to Belmonte, in light of recent events.
"I'd be a bit annoyed too," he said. "We've had the Satucine government go behind our backs and make a deal with Chervolesia recognising their maritime security zone, and now we've had our next door neighbour launch a secret diplomatic summit with Maracao. It would be very frustrating. But, at the same time, we can't let that get to our heads and the government needs to seriously think about how it will handle this." Bohn didn't say what sort of measures he would support, but said that they needed to consider the relationship between Nuvania and Belmonte.
"Whatever the government does, it needs to do it in a manner that doesn't destroy the relationship that our two countries enjoy."

by **Azmara** » Sat Feb 29, 2020 1:32 pm

JORŚSUN ANNOUNCES FOLKSMOT ELECTION ON 19 APRIL 2020
The Prime Minister intends to hold a vote on dissolution on Tuesday.

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Ana Jonsdohter (@anajdohter)
^{29 Feb 2020 | Aalmsted, Azmara}

Jorśsun announces his intention to hold the election at a speech in the capital.

AALMSTED, AZMARA – At a press conference in the Bojnerside Auditorium in southern Aalmsted, the Prime Minister announced his intention to hold the 2020 election on Sunday, April 19. The announcement comes to fulfill the three-year term limit imposed on the lower house by the 1916 Constitution, which would expire three years after the previous election on April 23, 2017 which saw Jorśsun's Workers' Party swept to power after a period of electoral doldrums.

Jorśsun highlighted that it was "time for the nation to express their voice again", and said that he would propose a motion for dissolution of the house on Tuesday, which would lead to the Folksmot dissolving for campaigning after next week's parliamentary sessions on the condition of the President signing it into law. While in theory the motion for new elections could be rejected by the Folksmot or the President could refuse to sign the motion, constitutionally an election is required to happen by the end of April unless a state of emergency is declared due to the outbreak of war or another such event and thus the delayal of the election would merely lead to the election automatically happening on the 26th April.

It is thus thought highly likely that the motion will pass the house, and most major parties have confirmed that they will whip in favour of holding the election. Gold Flame leader Freidrik Aleksaandersun stated that the election would be an opportunity to fight for a free and prosperous society, and both the Radical and Green parties stated that it would be an opportunity to further their agendas on the national level, and both of them have been floated as being kingmakers in the next Folksmot as they rise in polls.

Jorśsun said he was "optimistic" about his chances of re-election, stating his belief that his government's progressive reforms in economic, social and constitutional matters had made life better for the average Azmaran. Recent polls appear to support his judgement - a recent JuGov poll showed his party sitting at 50 seats, which, while being a slight decrease from 2017, would place him in a key position to form the next government, while Gold Flame would win 27, the Christian Democrats 20, the Radicals 19 and the Green Party 14.

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by **Estmere** » Sun Mar 01, 2020 1:08 pm

Charlie Mann - 28 February 2020

Home ·Estmere · Euclea · International · Politics · Business · Technology and Science · Arts · Education · Health · Sports · Weather

DEFENSE SECRETARY OFFERS SPECIFICS ON MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO TSABARA AMID GROWING CRITICISM

A squadron of Estmerish Euclofighter jets have been deployed to assist the Tsabaran government against Irfanic rebels.

Ashcombe - The Estmerish government has provided the international community with clarity on its recent military deployment in Tsabara. Government officials published details for all military assistance offered to the interim Tsabaran government. The specifics came after growing backlash both at home and abroad over the prime minister's decision to provide material and military aid to the government of acting President Nazim al'Qutayni.

At a press conference held this morning, officials from the Defence Secretariat confirmed that a squadron of Estmerish fighter jets had been deployed to Tsabara. In addition, support equipment and personal have also been sent to the Badawiyan nation.

Secretary for Defence Cedric Lewis said that over one-hundred Estmerish military personnel had been deployed in Tsabara. He declined to provide exact figures, citing concerns about Zorasani interference with the Estmerish mission.

"Over one-hundred [military] personnel will provide assistance to the al'Qutayni government. They will take on several roles, but are mostly focused on supporting and training members of the Tsabaran armed forces. Many pilots will be serving as advisers".

The squadron sent to Tsabara will be based out of government-controlled air bases located near Adunis, the Tsabaran capital. A total of twenty-for fighter aircraft have been deployed, a mix of Euclofighter Typhoons and Euclofighter Tornadoes. Other equipment has also been sent alongside the Euclofighters, most of which will play a supporting role for the squadron.

When pressed about the presence of Estmerish fighter jets in Tsabara, the Defence Secretary indicated that they would mostly be used to train Tsabaran pilots.

"We want to ensure that the Tsabaran air force is in a strong position, and that requires us to provide training for the best equipment available".

Reports of a planned arms deal with the Tsabaran government have circulated within the international press for several weeks. Today, Lewis appeared to hint that a deal was in the works when he stated that the Estmerish government was "finalizing talks" with Adunis and some of its key partners in Euclea.

He declined to specify whether or not Estmerish pilots would run missions in Tsabara on behalf of al'Qutayni's government.

Lewis also sough to play down claims that the Estmerish government had violated a Community of Nations Security Committee resolution by sending members of its armed forces to Tsabara.

"Our servicemen have been invited by the acting president and are deployed in Tsabara in accordance with CN resolutions and our diplomatic agreements".

The decision to provide the Tsabaran government with military assistance has fueled a controversy both in Estmere and the region. Opposition leader Robert Spencers called the decision "a major escalation that put the lives of our service-members at risk".

Spencers, who leads the Democratic Labour Party, promised to table a resolution in parliament that would require Reginald Wilton-Smyth's government to ask for the approval of parliamentarians before providing military assistance in the future.

It has also provoked concerns in Euclean capitals. Last weekend, Caldish diplomats expressed fears that an Estmerish military presence would continue to escalate already strained ties with Zorasan. In response to Estmere's deployment, the Zorasani government cut off all communication with their counterparts in Spalgleann and are refusing to engage with the Euclean Commission.

The prime minister dismissed foreign concerns, saying that while they were valid such fears were misplaced.

"Our military assistance to the legitimate Tsabaran government at a time when Zorasan has not only stoked sectarian strife, but has conducated numerous military operations on Tsabaran soil will ensure that the Zorasani military regime's nefarious influence is pushed out".

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by **Liecthenbourg** » Mon Mar 02, 2020 10:19 am

The Race for the Presidency begins.
Gaullica's presidential election occurs in September of this year, and as of now the likely candidates are beginning to declare their intention as the legal window for campaigning nears.

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Antoinette Giroud
^{March 1st, 2020|Verlois, Gaullica}

Premier Degar-Abdulrashid is speculated to announce her candidacy for the presidency soon, and is predicted to be a frontrunnner by polls.
Photo courtesy of courteous photography.

Verlois, Gaullica

For the first time since 2008, Gaullica will awake to a different president on the morning of the 7th of September. Since 2008, Jean Vallette has served as president of the Republic of Gaullica. Now he has come to a near end of the second of his six-year terms and the race for the position of the president has begun.

Prospective candidates have been floated around by news sources and the general public since 2014. Devereaux, the leader of the 'Gaullican Conservatives', had been expected to be a leading figure in this upcoming election but the splintering of the party that led to the 2019 special senatorial election "sunk his candidacy" as political pundit Émeric Bertillon declared.

The PSD, who can be said to be 'defending' the hold over the presidency, have long-since rallied around their Premier: Monique Degar-Abdulrashid. A popular figure within the party, she represents a growing electorate within the social democrats, or a demographic that some have felt is 'under-attack' from political rivals such as The Greens or, now more concerning, the newly formed 'Conservative and Progressive Republican Party.'

The first person to declare their candidacy is Augustin de Troumpe, the bombastic leader of the Catholic Labour Union. Augustin de Troumpe served within numerous governments -- both under Duquesne and his successor, Degar-Abdulrashid. Perhaps the most famed of Gaullica's Foreign Ministers due to his domestic popularity and unfiltered method of speech, de Troumpe has been viewed to be eyeing the presidency ever since his party did not contest the 2014 presidential elections.

He announced his candidacy earlier today, to a large crowd in the Orange Stadium in Sartoux. Figures put the likely amount of individuals there between 4 and 8 thousand, whilst de Troumpe and the CLU declared their official figures put it at seven and a half thousand. He has certainly gained some momentum at being the 'first to announce'.

Other individuals expected to announce their ambitions to run for the presidency consist of Monique Degar-Abdulrashid, as aforementioned and the rising star of the 'Conservative and Progressive Republican Party': Coralie Barreau. Barreau, against all odds, led her party to the second largest in the First Chamber of the Senate in the special elections held in August of last year. She announced, numerous times, that this "progression of conservativism" did not end at the senate. Her personal popularity is also quite high, especially outside of the membership of her own party.

All Le Monde can tell its viewers is to expect a tumultuous week of polls, announcements and campaign promises. The only thing we can guarantee to the readers is, fortunately or unfortunately depending on your view, is that Jean Vallette will be president no longer as of September of this year. With that in mind, keep a look out for our reflective opinion pieces on his presidency that will be coming out in the following weeks and months.

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