12,000 Troops sent into Vulkaria in wake of terrorist bombings
January 3, 2020
12,000 Arcadia-Dazeberian troops have been deployed to Vulkaria in the aftermath of the mass worldwide scale bombings that happened on January 2. The decision to sent troops into Vulkaria was decided by the Reichstag who condemned these attacks and the leaders who organized them.
Troops will be deployed to Godenia in preparation for the assult, the commanding officer of the operation in Godenia is Major General Alfred Von Schneider. At a press conference earlier today Chancellor Paul Weber "the attacks that happened we're unjustified that claimed the lives of good people. We can not just sit by and watch these people suffer now it is the time for action, and the only way to do that is by force."
Coalition members from different countries have already started to deployment of troops into the region. The coalition countries of Shen, Legionas, Zamastan, Maximusia, Eirian, and Shullian have made statements of military action and begun deploying troops near enemy control.
There have been multiple protests on the streets with people demanding not to sent troops and that the country should have a neutral stance in the conflict. Still there are those who support it saying that it's our best interest of the nation and of national security, that this "state of terror" be eliminate and the people of vulkaria see the return to normalize once the threat is dealt with.
It's only a matter of time before coalition Force's start moving in and heavy fighting begins. Many expert's have determined the outcome of the conflict with a coalition victory, however once that victory is achieved and the conflict over what will happen in next. It appears that only time will tell.
Vulkar, Vulkaria
Upol Military Base
Saturday, January 4th, 2020, 8:20 AM
General Avery Reynolds of the Zamastanian Armed Forces stood in his headquarters in Vulkar. Situated at the Upol Military Base, he gazed over the spread maps on his war room desk. Part of him couldn’t believe so many troops were back in Vulkaria after so long, but then again, he had never left his station. Having been the head of Zamastanian command in Vulkaria since the 2017 uprising began, he had seen dozens of soldiers fall, thousands of bombs dropped, and still the Malvarian Liberation Front continued to hold ground. For Reynolds, it was about time that the troops went on the offensive.
Reynolds had been at the Zamastanian Embassy two days ago, January 2nd, 2020. He witnessed security forces rush across the city to aid the hundreds of injured after the M.L.F. bombed embassies and schools and apartment buildings. Across the IDU, thousands of people had been killed. Reynolds’ own city of Providence had been attacked. Now that President Sakzi had committed forces to the destruction of the terrorists in Vulkaria, Reynolds was in command of all Coalition operations.
“General Reynolds, are we good to go?” A deep, stern voice said over the video monitor on the wall. President Sakzi and three other men were on the television in four separate corners for the conference call before coordinating the assaults on insurgent held territories. Among those on the conference call were General Chase Lyons, who would be controlling forces from Vulkar. His contingent was set up a few buildings down on the base. The other two were Godenia Command, General Ollie Reeves, and Lacarno Command, General Bond Wolfe. Wolfe was waiting for coalition forces to meet with the Zamastanians in Lacarno.
“Ready to go, Mister President.” Reynolds said. He switched his projection on the screen to the satellite images of Freeborn, the first major city in the insurgent controlled area, only 18 miles away from Vulkar. “This is Freeborn, the first city the Coalition will target. We have a contingent of Shen and Maximusian forces ready under command to proceed with an assault.”
“What do defenses look like,” Lyons asked, “is there any change from yesterday’s positions?”
“No significant change in the troop numbers,” Reynolds stated, “however, they have moved artillery pieces into position.”
“Heavy?” questioned President Sakzi.
“Yessir,” Reynolds responded. “Rocket placements can hit Vulkar from there, and there are also howitzer models in place. Either one can hit Vulkar.”
“If they have the capability to hit Vulkar, why aren’t they?” asked Wolfe.
“It’s possible they’re waiting for the first wave of attacking forces. They’ve also set up within the city, so they don’t want to get hit by airstrikes.”
“Too dense for airstrikes?” President Sakzi quizzed, looking concerned. “I don’t want airstrikes in there in the risk of civilian casualties is too high.”
“That, and that they’ve also positioned anti-air turrets across the city too. We just don’t have determinations on their exact locations because they’re constantly moving on flatbed trucks. Any airstrike in Freeborn runs the risk of collateral damage and the loss of aircraft.”
“So,” Lyons spoke up, “ground forces will need to get rid of those artillery pieces.”
“That’s probably the move,” sighed Reynolds.
“You have green light to move,” Sakzi said, leaning back in his desk seat through the monitor. “The sooner we capture Freeborn, then we can move onto the rest of the highway. The offensive will be a lot better off once we’re moving.”
“I agree, Mister President.”
The four men signed off of the monitor, leaving General Reynolds to look over his maps again.
Elsewhere on the Base
10,000 soldiers were lined up in rows, boarding and packing trucks, tanks, helicopters, and cargo jets for the offensives soon to be underway across the nation. Lieutenant Colonel Emmett Marsh stood in front of his battalion of 500 soldiers on the tarmac, waiting with his men to board helicopters that would take them to a staging areas right outside of Freeborn. Soon, he and his men would be engaging enemy fighters in an attempt to take the city.
“Alright men,” Marsh said loudly over the sound of propellers and motors roaring, “hours from now, we will be in hostile territory. We’re in this for the long haul. We’re doing this for everyone back home. We’re doing this for everyone we’ve lost and everyone our loved ones have lost. We’re gonna give em’ some hearty pay back, am I right?”
His men snapped to attention and shouted. “Yes sir!”
“Bags up!”
The soldiers grabbed their heavy backpacks, heaved them onto their backs, picked up their rifles, and one by one, boarded the helicopters. They were angsty for a fight - the first time most of them had seen combat. Zamastanian troops had not been deployed in full force since 2005, and the 15-year long wait had made them anxious to make a name for their team: the 46th Battalion.
Once they were at the staging area, command would meet with the Maximusian Command and the Shen Battalions to establish the framework of the assault. The capture of Freeborn was essential to securing the route into the heart of M.L.F. and V.N.A. controlled areas.
Forty Minutes Later
The city of Freeborn, population 17,000, sat two miles from the staging ground, across the Amden River. As the 46th Battalion disembarked from their choppers, they could see the smoke rising over the city from where the Zamastanian airstrikes had struck earlier. The muffled and distant sounds of explosions rocked the ground for only a slight moment as additional fighter jets roared overhead. The staging ground was established. On the terraced hill overlooking the city and the river valley sat 3,000 Zamastanian soldiers. Artillery, tanks, and vehicles clogged the highway leading into the city, stopped at a checkpoint just a few hundred meters to the south of the force's position. The supply and escort convoys would wait on the road until the city was captured, and then it was only a matter of time until the Coalition could move onto the next cities.
97 Miles Southwest
North of Lacarno
Sangra Valley
A lone Zamastanian helicopter raced over the hillside and into the open, sunny air of the dusty and dry Sangra Valley, leaving a trail and cloud of dirt rushing in a spiral loop following the chopper's low-to-ground take off. On board, 10 members of the Zamastanian Special Forces Unit reequipped themselves and took time to breathe, un buckling their seat belts to prepare for the landing and disembarkation. Zamastanian intelligence had picked up a high-value-target in a small isolated farm-house south of the city of Masenma.
"Ten seconds," shouted the pilot over the intercom. The helicopter descended quickly, leaving a butterfly feeling in the stomachs of the commandos. "Going hot in five, four, three, two..." The helicopter hit the ground with a thud, and the side doors swung open, leaving the soldiers to pour out into a dampened wheat field, their boots squishing in the shallow mud. Taking point, the lead commando signaled forward. The troops began hustling to a walled-compound, keeping themselves low and hunched so as not to be detected in the tall wheat.
"Flank right," the lead commando spoke softly into the intercom system. "They definetely saw the chopper, but if they haven't fired at us yet, they must be holed up inside."
"Copy," said another member of the unit. "Flanking right."
The team split out of the wheat plants and up against the brick wall of the compound.
"Looking for a door or breaching, sir?"
"Breaching. Place it."
A commando stuck the explosive device to the brick wall, stepping back and signalling to the others to get their guns up. Clicking the trigger, the wall exploded outwards in a quick but dusty blast, and the commandos poured into the compound.
"Contact!" the lead commando shouted, squeezing his trigger and emptying several rounds into a target standing dazed at the door. Checking his body as they took his position, they recognized the armband and weapon at his side to mean he was a M.L.F. member.
"Target is definitely in here," one commando spoke up.
"Get the door down," shouted the lead commando. "Flashes in, watch for kids."
Two soldiers started butting the wooden door with their weapon hilts, breaking a hole through the handle area and pushing the door open. One soldier threw a flash grenade inside, which detonated with a loud bang. Another soldier, who was standing point next to the door, opened fire inside. As the team moved in, two dead terrorists lay on the carpet. The screams of a woman shrieked through the house, but quickly the source was located and a woman and her small child were escorted out of the building. As they left the house, she shouted back at the soldiers,
"Please don't hurt him, he's upstairs behind the bed!"
"Upstairs! Go, go!"
Four members of the team flanked up the stairs rapidly, the lead commando firing an additional shot at a terrorist hiding behind a cupboard at the top of the stairs. As the team reached the landing, they positioned around the bedroom door, shouting for the target inside to surrender. In response, three bullets smashed through the wooden door, striking the wall opposite of the four commandos. Busting the door down, it was only a second more until additional gunfire into the room ceased the fighting. The team moved the bodies out of the compound, laying them in the courtyard. Picture identification and a fingerprint testing came back positive, and a DNA sample was taken along with the team to have further confirmation back at staging.
The helicopter landed once again in the wheat field, as the team dragged the body-bagged target into the aircraft with them.
"Target down," the lead commando radioed back to Command in Lacarno. "Target has been killed."
The helicopter rose from the compound and rushed back across the valley. Looking over the lush farm fields and dry, rocky mountains surrounding them, the soldiers only could wonder what the inevitable Coalition-led battles in this region would hold, and how long the terrorists could hold out for.
Zian Presidential Mansion
Tofino
5 hours later
President Sakzi stood with his triumphant smile at the podium of the mansion's press room, greeting the media with the first major development of military operations in Vulkaria.
"My fellow Zamastanians and friends of the Coalition Forces, I can say with certainty and conclusion today that a team of our Special Forces has killed Bryn Matteo, a M.L.F. commander known as a crucial part of the group's command structure, the coordinator of and one of the perpetrators behind the 2017 Tofino Attacks. Matteo also was crucial to the planning of the January 2nd Attacks, and was known as one of the Malvarian Liberation Front's main recruiters and trainers. He was third in command of the terrorist group, and was planning many more attacks across the IDU and Vulkaria. Now, he is dead.
Our small ten-man strike team of special forces engaged him and his defenders at an isolated compound south of Masenma, taking four other terrorists down with him. We did not suffer a single injury or death. This is a good day for the Coalition forces as we prepare for the complete destruction and tear-down of the rebellious, deceitful and malicious terror groups in Northwest Vulkaria..."
Sakzi continued talking for a long while, soaking in the moment of celebration and pride he had as Commander-in-Chief. Soon, though, he would have to be back in the war room.
I think it makes sense to clarify in law what happens when there's one one nominee for Delegate.
[box]
The Delegacy Elections (Sole Nominee) (Amendment) Bill 2020
A bylaw to regulate the frequency and administration of elections in the IDU
The International Democratic Union States Assembly,
Hereby Resolves the Following
§1 Amendment of The Delegacy Elections Act
1. The following shall be inserted after §1.6
[box]7. When only one nomination is received by the close of nominations, the Election Commissioner may proceed to declaring that sole nominee the Delegate. The Election Commissioner however may, in their discretion, open a confirmatory vote before declaring the sole nominee the Delegate. Provisions contained within §§1.5—1.6 shall also apply to a confirmatory vote.[/box][/box]
Terror has struck the International Democratic Union. On January 2nd, 2020, terrorists affiliated with the Vulkarian-based Malvarian Liberation Front (M.L.F.) committed deadly attacks in Vulkaria, Zamastan, Legionas, Eiria, Gardavasque, Libertas Omnium Maximus, and Xiomera. International interests were also hit: the Shuellian, Shen, and Maximusian embassies and a Byzconian sponsored school in Vulkar, the capital city of Vulkaria were all attacked, and a Laeralian frigate, the LNS Celeste, was bombed in the Strait of Vulkaria. 1,485 people were killed in the attacks, and thousands more were injured in the deadliest-ever day in the history of terrorism and the modern IDU.
President Farhen Brooks of Vulkaria has called for assistance from coalition forces, and President Foley Sakzi of Zamastan has committed the country to shift their military presence in Vulkaria from an “observing-and-guiding” stance towards a more direct role in the conflict.
If you are not up to date on the events leading up to this, provided below is a quick summary on the conflict in Vulkaria and terror groups operating within that nation.
Summary of Current Conflict::
In May 2017, an insurgent uprising by the joint force of M.L.A. and V.N.A. rebellion occurred. The violent and fast armed insurgency was denounced by most in the IDU and Zamastan as illegal.
Anti-Vulkarian unrest in Northwest Vulkaria and south Vulkaria began when, in June 2017, Vulkarian separatists self-proclaimed the Vulkarian People's Republic and Thunia People's Republic and held referendums on June 11th, 2017; the separatists claimed nearly 90% voted in favor of independence. Zamastanian intelligence confirmed much of the vote was manipulated by the Malvarian Liberation Front and Vulkarian National Army oppression. Later in July 2017, fighting between the Vulkarian army and pro-Vulkarian volunteer battalions on one side, and forces supporting the M.L.F. and V.N.A. on the other side, escalated into the Conflict in Northwest Vulkaria. By December 2017 more than 16,400 people had died in this conflict and according to IDU figures it led to over half a million people becoming internally displaced within Vulkaria and two hundred thousand refugees to flee to (mostly) Zamastan and other neighboring countries. During the same period, political (including adoption of the law on lustration and the law on decommunization) and economic reforms started.
In October of 2017, terrorists from Vulkaria attacked Zamastan and killed over 430 people, and President of Zamastan Zacharias Castovia brought a new string of coalition forces with Cadair into the nation in the form of airstrikes at the request of President Brooks. The Zamastanian and Cadairian airstrikes halted in May 2019 under orders from President Anya Bishop, though the conflict had escalated in violence.
By the second half of 2018, independent observers noted that reforms in Vulkaria had considerably slowed down, corruption did not subside, and the economy of Vulkaria was still in a deep crisis.
By December 2019, more than 39,100 people had died (largely civilians) in the conflict, according to Zamastanian figures. The M.L.F. and V.N.A. had largely slowed their foreign terror operations since June 2019, but they had continued their insurgency and strikes within Vulkaria. On December 26th, 2019, a suicide attack killed 48 people at President Brooks' campaign rally in Amstelveen, bringing condolences and words of support from across the IDU. Two days later, 8 Zamastanian and 3 Legionite soldiers were killed in an ambush, prompting the two nations to conduct airstrikes for the first time since May.
On January 2nd, 2020, terrorists struck sites in 9 countries, killing 1,485 people, and prompting new action from the governments affected by the attacks.
Vulkarian Terrorist groups::
Malvarian Liberation Front
The Malvarian Liberation Front is a Vulkarian-based and classified terror group that operates under the motivation of toppling Vulkaria's capitalist government and installing a Marxist regime in its place, as well as disrupting any support to the Vulkarian government from foreign sources. They were formed during the 1982 Vulkaria Coup D'etat, where their violent methods made them infamous. The organization has been designated as a terrorist group by Zamastan, Cadair, Legionas, Lauchenoiria, Laeral, and various other countries. The M.L.F. has mounted attacks on non-military and military targets in various countries in the four decades of its existence. They have famously chosen Zamastan as their favorite foreign target, staging attacks such as the 1982 Alanis Pride Parade Bombing, the 2017 Tofino Terror Attacks, the terror attack on the Zian Presidential Mansion in 2019.
The M.L.F. was the main opponent in the First and Second Wars in Vulkaria (1983-1991, 1999-2005), which combined saw heavy fighting and the loss of thousands of coalition soldiers and millions of civilian lives.
Their founder, Samuel Kannit, was a staunch enemy of the Vulkarian and Zamastan governments, and oversaw the group during the first and second coalition fought wars in Vulkaria. Their current leader, Van'a Kamoni, was originally considered to be more reserved, according to Zamastanian intelligence reports, indicating that he seemed to instruct his forces to remain in Vulkaria and pursue more political moves rather than terror. However, the on-going insurgency in Vulkaria has reiterated their resolve for violence.
Vulkarian National Army
The Vulkarian National Army (V.N.A.) is a terrorist militant group and a former unrecognised proto-state that follows a fundamentalist doctrine of Marxism. The VNA gained global prominence in early 2017 when it drove Vulkarian government forces out of key cities in its Northwestern Vulkarian offensive, followed by its deadly rocket attacks on the city of Amstelveen and the Thunville massacre.
The V.N.A. is widely known for its videos of executions of both soldiers and civilians, including journalists and aid workers, and its destruction of cultural heritage sites. Zamastan and Legionas are among the nations that hold the V.N.A. responsible for committing human rights abuses, genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The V.N.A. is suspected of being responsible for committing ethnic cleansing on a historic and unprecedented scale in Northern Vulkaria, killing thousands of Mevaani people, and ethnic group in Northern Vulkaria.
Their leader is Jared Bacckar, a former Vulkarian military officer who broke ranks in 2004 during the height of the Second War in Vulkaria and assumed leadership of the group in a power struggle.
Baro-Okan Resistance Alliance
The Baro-Okan Resistance Alliance (B.O.R.A.) is terror group allied with the M.L.F. and V.N.A. that operates inside major cities of Vulkaria. They specialize in assassinations, using packed urban settings as their cover and targets. Their leader is Um’i Partori, a 43 year old Vulkarian man.
Wanted Terrorist Leaders/Figures::
Van’a Kamoni - M.L.F.
The Supreme Commander of the M.L.F., responsible for planning and authorizing the M.L.F.’s attacks, including the 2014 Seahaven Bombing in Lauchenoiria, the October 2017 Tofino Attacks in Zamastan, the December 2019 Amstelveen Bombing in Vulkaria, and the January 2020 Attacks across the IDU. He is considered to be the World’s Most Wanted Man, and is the Coalition’s Priority Target.
Jareb Bacckar - V.N.A.
Leader of the V.N.A. and former Vulkarian Army General, Bacckar is seen as the military genius behind the V.N.A.’s rapid 2017 offensive and retaliation offensive in 2019. He has been accused of war crimes, human rights abuses, and sponsoring the genocide of the Mevaani people.
Um’i Partori - B.O.R.A.
Leader of the B.O.R.A., Partori is a high value target. Coalition forces would prefer his capture rather than his death, as it is believed he may have important connections to terrorist networks across the IDU; not just the M.L.A. and V.N.A. cells.
Mikeal Pitton - M.L.F.
Pitton is a high-ranking commander in the M.L.F., responsible for coordinating several bombings in Vulkaria and across the IDU. He has been tied to the 2002 Legionas Bombings, and is considered to be the group’s second in command.
Bryn Matteo - M.L.F.
Matteo is a high-ranking commander in the M.L.F., responsible for coordinating several bombings in Vulkaria and across the IDU. He has been tied to the 2017 Tofino Attacks.
Kaleb Knightman - M.L.F.
Knightman is a high-ranking commander in the M.L.F., considered to be the group’s Chief Accountant. He is responsible for providing the group’s funds, and runs a wide-ranging underground money laundering and racketeering network.
Dire Sulsi - M.L.F.
Sulsi is a high-ranking commander in the M.L.F., overseeing a significant portion of the group’s training and recruitment.
Erik Kamoni - M.L.F.
Kamoni is a high-ranking commander in the M.L.F., overseeing much of the group’s arming and training. He is the eldest son of the group’s leader, Van’a Kamoni.
Timothy Kamoni - M.L.F.
Kamoni is another son of Van’a Kamoni and has been tied to the December 2019 Amstelveen Bombing.
Francesco Lennon - V.N.A.
Lennon is a high-ranking commander in the V.N.A, considered to be the group’s Chief Accountant. He is responsible for providing the group’s funds, and runs a wide-ranging underground money laundering and racketeering network.
Rules:
1.No WMD’s
2.No takeovers or invasions of Vulkaria or any other nation - your troops will be deployed to Vulkaria under Coalition protocol.
3.No killing characters or soldiers of any nation involved: only killing terrorists!
4.Terrorist leaders cannot be killed without approval or assigned permission from Zamastan or Vulkaria.
5.No intentional killing of civilians (don’t shoot purposefully shoot or bomb civilians)
6.No “seizing” or claiming territory
7.Modern technology only
8.Open to anyone, but fill out the application below and wait for Zamastan or Vulkaria’s approval
9.Ground forces can not number higher than 20,000 (exceptions will be made for nations who were attacked on January 2nd)
10.No Graphic Descriptions of Torture or Gore - implied or quick descriptions only
11.Zamastan/Vulkaria will occasionally give missions to those involved
12.Contact Zamastan/Vulkaria for any questions regarding RP
Participant Overview and Form
During this RP, there will be several terrorist leaders who are wanted dead or alive by the nations involved. Zamastan and Vulkaria will occasionally assign a specific terrorist leader to your nation with details on their whereabouts, security, and their ranks in the insurgent groups. These terrorists are “high-value targets” for you to either capture or eliminate. If captured, they will be transferred to Zamastanian/Vulkarian custody. If killed, they're, just like, dead. The list of terrorists above will be updated, added on to, and adjusted as the RP progresses.
Also during this RP, the Coalition will be looking to destroy terrorist strongholds and recapture the volatile northwestern region of Vulkaria, which has been under terrorist control for over 2 years. Some of what will be written in the RP will be battle scenarios and a mix of urban/rural fighting. Provided below is a map of the Northwestern region of Vulkaria. The beige are the areas controlled by the terrorist insurgent forces. The red lines are the main roads linking the region: controlling those roads and the towns along the way is crucial to clearing the region. The forces of each nation involved has to be stationed at one of three cities prior to engaging in the offensive: Vulkar (the capital of Vulkaria), Godenia, or Lacarno.
The options for alliances are as follows: you may join the Coalition and work with Vulkarian and Zamastanian forces to kill or capture terrorists. This option is broader; you will be allowed to be a lot more free with your decisions on how your forces engage terrorists.You will have to coordinate what you are going to do either in this RP planner’s forum or with Zamastan/Vulkaria. No amount of troops larger than 20,000 troops will be allowed to be sent to Vulkaria unless a specific request is made (i.e.: your nation was attacked on January 2nd or had a previous contingent of soldiers in Vulkaria from the First or Second Wars in Vulkaria). Battles will occasionally be larger and casualties will be higher in this option than the next.
You may work alone (solo) to kill or capture terrorists. This option is more confined: you will still have to collaborate with the Coalition and Zamastan to engage terrorists, and you will be closely monitored. Your methods of offensive also are limited: mostly airstrikes (drones or manned-aircraft) or small strike teams - no amount of troops larger than 4,000 troops will be allowed to be sent to Vulkaria. However, the benefits of working alone are that you will have more narrowed opportunities to kill or capture terrorists designated to you. You will also be able to keep the terrorists you capture - no need to hand them over to the coalition unless you want to.
Code:
[b]Nation name:[/b]
[b]Coalition or Solo:[/b]
[b]Your nation’s relationship to Vulkaria:[/b]
[b]Will your forces be stationed in Vulkar, Godenia, or Lacarno[/b]
[b]Would your nation be willing to go after high-profile targets? Yes/No[/b]
[b]Does your nation ever torture prisoners? Yes/No[/b]
[b](Coalition members only) If a terrorist is captured, do you agree to hand them over to Zamastanian/Vulkarian forces?[/b]
[b]Amount of troops (no more than 20,000 unless specified by moderator):[/b]
[b]Any further information:[/b]
Once you have been accepted, you will be added to the RP Discord Server.
The RP is open to all, however, Zamastan and Vulkaria reserve the right to veto any storylines involving Zamastanian or Vulkarian soldiers that has not been approved (it is important to discuss your ideas with fellow RP’ers and/or Moderators, and to deny participation to individuals who refuse to comply with the rules.
The RP will begin when Zamastan opens it in International Affairs
Hi all! I haven't really gotten a chance to be active since moving to the IDU, but I figured I could put my programming and the NationStates API to good use by potentially developing custom census data (think niceness, charmlessness, etc.)!
I'm sure at first the data might be a little rough, but with some refining, I'm sure it can get close enough. Regardless, I think it might be interesting to see new stats and data on to aide in worldbuilding/roleplaying/etc.
To start, I've been working on the custom census 'Industry: Hospitality' to build out the code and have a starting point for future censuses. My question to y'all is what customer censuses would you like to see? Any ideas, comments, concerns, etc. are welcome!!
as we look back on 2019, we send you best wishes for the new year.
For us, 2019 was a year of change. The Republic of Europeia had been led by a President for the better of twelve years, but in 2019 we reformed our executive government. Now, a First Minister leads the domestic affairs of Europeia and a Chief of State our external affairs. As a region, we fought fascists with our Republican Navy and boredom with our Ministry of Culture. To chat with some of you at interregional events and Gameplay venues was always a good time for us.
We sincerely hope that 2019 also brought you joy; maybe memories you’ll carry in your heart warmly for years to come. Not just in terms of NationStates, of course, but for you as a human being with character, history and emotions. And as such we wish you good fortune and better yet much success, all the love in the world and that your health may not fail you. Personally and professionally, we look forward to working with you in the new year.
Best wishes,
Pichtonia Seymour-Somerset & Maowi
Councilor of Foreign Affairs | Ambassador from Europeia
DeBeeland Political Rift Allegedly Swept Under Rug of Independence and Holiday Celebrations
After more than twenty-six years of tranquil prosperity as a private and autonomous economic and political region of the People’s Republic of DeSoto, sovereignty and controversy arrived in The Freeland of DeBeeland at approximately the same time, and there’s suspicion in the islands that it may not have been a natural coincidence. Many believe that the government knowingly delayed the passing of a highly disputed policy until a time at which they predicted it may receive a minimal amount of attention, and thus less intense backlash.
My name is Elenor Shan, and my application was approved by the Office of Immigration in November of 2014, when I came to the islands from DeSoto to work as an unbiased reporter. Beginning with the official initiation of independence on 22 December, 2019, I was assigned to cover long-term social and political trends on the islands, a job description which has taken on an entirely unexpected meaning since Christmas Eve.
On December 24th, 2019, shortly after 6:00pm, while the new country was still basking in the glow of a sovereignty declaration just two days earlier, in the midst of celebrating Chanukah, gathering with family for Christmas celebrations, and preparing for the upcoming Kwanzaa festivities, President Aaron DeBee signed his final approval on a DeBeeland law standardizing qualification testing for potential DeBeeland parents.
Under the law, unofficially dubbed the “Parent Merit Act”, every adult wishing to adopt a child or to contribute biologically to the birth of a child must first successfully officially qualify for parenthood via a series of standardized government tests. According to the law, any adult electing to contribute biologically to the birth of a child without first officially qualifying, immediately forfeits the right to vote in the future. Any child born under what are now officially termed “illegitimate circumstances” is forever denied the benefit of government-provided services including public schooling, protection of the law, government-provided emergency services, etc. It is worth noting that the phrase “illegitimate circumstances” apply only to a failure to qualify via standardized testing and is not defined by any other life circumstances.
The leader of the opposition to the law, Dr. Emil Young, argues that the law violates basic human rights. “I am a full and original supporter of the DeBeeist meritocratic ideology. However, a major tenet of that philosophy is a belief in individual rights. The right to bear children is among the most fundamental natural rights a human possesses. I believe - we believe - the government is drastically overstepping the bounds of their authority by attempting to dictate whether or not a human being may participate in a completely natural biological and physiological function.”
President DeBee responded in defense of the law, “The government will not interfere in the biological process itself. However, children of unqualified or uninvested parents too often become a detriment to society. The act of introducing a new person into society is a significant one, and it should be treated with serious consideration. The society we’ve agreed to establish is a meritocracy, and that means that most privileges are earned rather than bestowed by default. Our nation advances through prudent decision-making and aptitude, not through simple chance and negligent optimism. It would be nice if we could rely on all parents to parent responsibly and to positively contribute to the future success of their children; unfortunately, reality does not bear that out.”
The Parent Merit Act is widely acknowledged as the most divisive issue since DeBee’s 1991 Meritocratic Manifesto, which launched the movement that eventually separated the DeBeeists from the People’s Republic of DeSoto. Following the ratification of the bill this week, Dr. Young and his supporters announced the formation of DeBeeland’s first political party, who call themselves The Freedom Party. “We are the watchdogs who take it upon ourselves to ensure that the individual freedoms for which the meritocracy is supposed to stand are preserved.”
In response, President DeBee officially named his own supporters the Meritocratic Party and officially recognized the legitimacy of competing political parties in DeBeeland. “Individual freedom, meritocratic advancement, and democratic legislation are all important parts of our chosen government, and all deserve recognition and protection. It is through constructive debate and varying interpretation that we will arrive at the optimal version of our system.”
Despite the positive tone of his post-controversy message, though, may critics allege that DeBee purposely and strategically stalled the finalization of the Parent Merit Act in order to reduce backlash. His approval of the bill late in the evening in the midst of a number of religious celebrations and just days after official independence suggests to some that the DeBee administration believed that many of the bill’s opponents would have been too distracted to focus their oppositional efforts very intensely at that time. Still, Dr. Young insists that his new Freedom Party will gather support after the holidays and will pursue repeal of the Parent Merit Act.
Across the nation of DeBeeland broadcast television and radio stations simultaneously alert their audiences. “We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to bring you the following address from the President of the Free Land of DeBeeland:”
President DeBee sits in a formal, but comfortable-looking, armchair in front of a fireplace. His lap is covered with a handmade quilt, and he holds a cup of steaming tea in both hands as he looks into the camera. An antique floor lamp behind his chair bathes him in a soft, warm pool of light, and there are individual candles strategically situated around the room in those small areas the light from the fireplace and lamp do not adequately illuminate.
“Greetings to my fellow DeBeelandians, to our neighbors in the International Democratic Union, and to those around the world.
The Free Land of DeBeeland is pleased to announce that, as of this morning, our nation has been formally accepted as a member of the International Democratic Union. Hours later, we also submitted our application for an international country code as well as a separate application to join the International Democratic Union State Assembly. I would personally like to assure you all that it is the unwavering intention of the Free Land of DeBeeland to play an active role in international politics, diplomacy, and legislation.
Before we continue with that topic, however, I would like to take a moment to assure everyone that, despite a recent bout of political disagreement, the nation of DeBeeland could not be stronger in its unity and ideological conviction. The transition from nebulous philosophical theory to practical application often necessitates clarification, translation, and interpretation. It should come as no surprise to us, then, that different individual interpretations will at some point breed divergence.
This week, just a few days after the official establishment of our sovereign government, we experienced our first major divergence in political policy opinion. As a result, our nation’s leaders have begun migrating into two distinct groups with conflicting opinions on certain details of the law. This is not a failure of, but rather a victory for, the system. We believe in the superiority of the qualified majority, and majority rule is redundant in an atmosphere in which there is no disagreement. For this reason, let me be the first to reassure you that I and the rest of the DeBeeland government fully support the establishment of competing political parties in DeBeeland.
We were also greeted with exciting international news today, when it was announced that nominations for the next IDU Delegate to the World Assembly are now open. Being so new as an independent nation, as a member of the World Assembly, and as a member of the IDU, DeBeeland has opted not to run for election as the Delegate. However, DeBeeland is, and will remain, intensely interested in regional and global politics, and is therefore inviting one-on-one private communication with andy and all nominees to discuss their stances, histories, and intentions for serving as the region’s Delegate to the World Assembly.
The Free Land of DeBeeland was established with the belief that our national ideology is the optimal philosophy for societal advancement not only for our country but for all people. It will remain our constant goal, therefore, to ensure that our beliefs and our interests are represented at all levels of government now and for all time.
I’d like to thank you all for your attention this evening, and I wish you all a pleasant season and a happy new year.”
The camera pans out as each broadcast abruptly returns to its regularly scheduled programming.
Seeing as approximately six months have elapsed since Lauchenoiria was elected World Assembly Delegate of the International Democratic Union, in accordance with Section I of the Delegacy Election Act, I, Libertas Omnium Maximus, Speaker of this International Democratic Union States Assembly, do alert this assembly of my intentions to open nominations for Delegate to the World Assembly (Schedule I for 2020) at 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on Friday, December 27th, 2019. The opportunity for nominations shall remain available until January 3rd, 2020 at 12:00 PM EST. All nominations made before or after the aforementioned time slot will be discarded. To announce your intent to run (i.e. to self nominate) for World Assembly Delegate for the Schedule I 2020 election cycle, please post the following response in this thread:
I, [your primary nation name], do announce my intent to run for IDU World Assembly Delegate in the Schedule I World Assembly Delegate election cycle.
The Social Democracy of Gardavasque has a cough cough president, Biff Snollygoster, who has taken to using his official Twitcher Account to make public statements directly to the people, a task traditionally accomplished by a formal press release carefully crafted by professional writers and editors. Unfortunately, we have no way of stopping him (for now). Much to the chagrin of our archivists, we are making Snollygoster's Twitches available right here on the IDU Newswire. We beg you, please do not judge our Nation by the rantings of our dubiously-elected cough leader.
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![[Image: Black_Hawk_flying_over_a_valley_in_Bamyan.jpg]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Black_Hawk_flying_over_a_valley_in_Bamyan.jpg)
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