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1952 - Foreign Policy
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The world continues to enjoy a lull of hostilities between great powers, except for everyone currently involved in a war, coup, or revolution. They aren't really enjoying any peace at the moment. It's the fringes and peripheries that suffer, while the great powers consolidate their gains from the world war or continue to lick their wounds. Within Europe and Asia the world order has begun to solidify under Moscow and Tokyo. The two continue to integrate new territories while recovering from the damage of the war, especially in the Soviet Union's case. The situation has afforded London breathing room to get its affairs in order, though one could not say for how much longer its enemies would be distracted or inwardly focused. It was hoped that Labour's victory would mean detente and normalization of relations with London, so that things could return to normal.
Politicians in London aren't sure if it's the calm before the storm or if peace will continue to reign for a time longer. Certainly not if they have a say in anything. The world's largest empire can not sit back and rest on its laurels, no matter how broke or exhausted it may be. There are always new theaters of aggressive vectors that present threats to Franco-British interests across the globe. Its obligations were many, military needs great, trade deficit high, and allies dependent on its continued support. The cost of such altruistic self sacrificing policy meant its many children continued to suckle at London's teat for a time longer, even while eyeing up other sources of revenue and support. Quite simply, the FBU had a lot on its plate it had to tackle, but the upside of doing so was a global empire and network of allies to support it. Attlee made it clear that his government would continue to honour its obligations to its allies.
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Foreign Relations
Debt: The FBU is paying war reparations to Japan. The payments are expected to end by 1999. Until then it is a constant strain on the government's finances. The FBU is repaying Britain and France's WW1 loans from America, in addition to Britain's WW2 loans. This is expected to be paid off by 2036. Until then these are a constant strain on the government's finances.
- Haiti's debt transferred to America in exchanged for reductions in France's debts
- FBU picked up France's debt to America
- Germany has restarted repayments to Britain
Soviet Bloc: The Soviet Union continues to look inward to develop its new allies and puppet regimes. Bukharin's policies of normalized relations with Britain have won him much praise and helped consolidate the Soviet Union's gains. Labour's recent victory is seen as a sign of increasingly warm relations between the previously frigid relations. They aren't happy with London, but are fine leaving it be. The Soviets are unlikely to make serious pushes against the Franco-British Empire unless the opportunity presents itself in accessible regions. No, the problem children of Moscow are Paris and Rome. Athens too to a lesser extent.
Socialist France and Italy are fully independent members of the Soviet's sphere. They are run by massively popular socialist and communist parties that present themselves as equal partners to the Soviet Union, refusing to kowtow to any of Moscow's demands. Hopes that this would splinter the emerging bloc are unfounded unfortunately. Paris and Rome are more committed than Moscow to the liberation of colonies and aggressive action towards imperialism. Labour's victory has moderates and pacifists hopeful that detente, if not reconciliation, are possible, provided London agrees to their numerous demands on decolonization. Security concerns are high that they slipped many agents into Algeria, Sicily, and Libya through the refugees, in addition to networking with existing socialist sympathizers in these territories. While the Hellenic People's Republic condemns the formation of the Kingdom of Greece and Turkey presents a potential threat to Arab allies and protectorates. There's already clashes between fishmen in contested waters.
- Recognizes: USSR, Finland, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Hungary, Romania, Turkey, and Scandinavia
- Doesn't: France, Italy, Netherlands, Greece, Poland, PRC, and Mongolia.
Japanese Bloc: Japan is enjoying the fruits of its labours. Nearly half of the world's population lives under its domain as either an ally or puppet regime with close ties to Tokyo. Its currency grows stronger by the day as country after country reshapes their economy to suit Japan's market demands. It continues to found new organizations every year, tying everything closer together. China remains the darling of non-European members of the League of Nations as the only Co-Prosperity Sphere member to have membership in the organization. The invasion of Tibet won praise and condemnation in equal parts, depending on the particular country's alignment and political leadership. Many South American leaders saw it as a valid liberation and unification of Chinese territory. Yunnan and Guangdong continue to be semi-autonomous special administration regions of China allowed unparalleled precedent over their internal affairs and even limited capacity to negotiate with foreign powers.
Much like Moscow, Tokyo is neutral towards London. It is a sated power, intent on keeping its gains and renormalizing relations to further solidify itself as the rising liberal power in the world. The points of potential tensions lay with Franco-British allies rather than with the FBU itself, namely the dominions of India, Canada, and Australia. Similarly, it's Japan's allies that are the most eager to confront imperialism abroad. Japan currently has no intention of yanking their chains, content to expand its market access across the globe and replace America and Britain as the leading liberal power.
- Recognizes: Japan, Republic of China, and Thailand
- Doesn't: Azad Hind, Indonesia, Burma, Union of Indochina, and the Philippines
- Undecided: London has yet to decide its view on Manchukuo, Yunnan, and Guangdong
America: Taft's expected to win the election, riding high off numerous watered down reforms forced onto his administration by his party and popular demand. That means another four years of wishy washy support from Washington. The decision to maintain independence from Franco-British foreign policy was seen by many as a good move. He's kept the world's arm's length away from America, rather than falling in line behind London. The coups and invasions of Haiti, Costa Rica, and Guatemala have locked down the countries economies for America, ensuring their continued dominance against potential Japanese encroachment. Wall Street is extremely pleased that London continues to pay its bills.
Commonwealth Alliances of Nations: The general mood among member states is high, despite the casualties in Bengal. The dominions are tied at the hip to London, while independent states like Spain have few other options that can guarantee their security, like men stuck in a slowly sinking lifeboat, London's the only one with a bucket that can bail them out. The name is somewhat confusing to non-Commonwealth members. America nearly refused to join because of the misconception that it'd mean joining the Commonwealth. The press had a field day warning that America was about to bend a knee to the British Crown.
- Jointed General Staff: General Omar Bradley is serving as the American Supreme Chief
- Five Eyes: joint intelligence sharing agency between the FBU, America, Canada, and Australia
The Commonwealth: The colonies that Britain reluctantly gave self government too, now fully fledged independent states with opinions of their own. At the moment unity is high, though London's ability to issue dictates is limited. Canada and Australia have sought closer ties with America, while South Africa is making closer ties with Portugal regarding colonial affairs. It's only thanks to Taft's stubborn isolationism that those efforts have been softly rebuffed. The freedom of movement between dominions, baring special circumstances, is well liked by most members.
- Imperial Conference: bi-yearly meeting between all heads of government of member states. It's regarded as the largest collection of prime ministers and smugness in the world. Topics are mostly public reaffirmations of support for allies based off shared values and other such boring statements.
- Imperial Bureau for Refugees: a nominally international organization, its purpose was to settle fascists and exiles from socialist Europe into the colonies. The bulk of the war refugees have since been settled, leaving the IBR with little to do.
Imperial Customs Union: More formalized and multilateral than previous trade agreements, it is the beginning of a cohesive trade zone across the globe, potentially. So far its only members are dominions. It's ability to leverage financial control over neutral countries is limited, compared to say a lending agency.
- Members:
- Franco-British Union
- Canada
- Australia
- South Africa
- Commonwealth of India
- Federation of the West Indies
- Ireland
League of Nations: Its legitimacy is on the rise as the Soviet Union and most of Europe joining gave it a much needed boost. Its agencies are benefiting from increased funding and participation from member states. The minor concessions given to the Soviets have helped clean up its image too, even if it meant somewhat reduced Franco-British control. Sharing power with a peer made it more legit. Sinclair gave it the shot in the arm it needed to avoid a decline into irrelevance.
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There are pressing issues that must be dealt with in addition to planks. These are not write-ins. They
must be included in the plan, but
do not count towards the word limit.
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Iraq Security: The kingdom has close ties to London, but is technically not a member of CAN as Baghad felt that would make it obligated to participate in theaters around the world. It's proposing a regional alliance between itself and Iran against Turkey and the Soviets, but wants the FBU to join as a member and provide weaponry and training. The two countries have been in negotiations behind the scenes for some time now and want Britain on board. bIt's believed that a regional alliance will give all members greater flexibility in responding to regional threats, allowing action against their opponents without needless escalation.
Iran and Iraq will also receive investments from London to help "develop" them. Who knows, the money might actually go to the military or infrastructure.
[ ][IRQ] Bribe them to join CAN instead
[ ][IRQ] Agree, FBU joins the Baghdad Pact
[ ][IRQ] Refuse, there's no need to indulge Iraq's petty pride
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Anglo-Persian Oil Company: The free money train has hit a speedbump in the rail that threatens to derail the whole thing. The current Iranian prime minister Mohammad Mosaddegh has spent the last year or so raising a fuss about "British imperialism" and "unequal treaties that rob Iran of its natural resources." At the center of his biting criticism is the APOC, which owns, operates, and benefits from nearly all oil related transactions in the country, making the FBU rich off Iran's oil deposits Naturally he's right of course, which is why something must be done! The Shah warns London that the PM is even planning on nationalizing APOC's assets if nothing changes.
[ ][APOC] The Shah has proposed a rather ingenious solution to the whole affair: coup the PM
[ ][APOC] Perhaps London can begrudgingly renegotiate contracts: 70-30 in favour of the FBU/APOC
[ ][APOC] Perhaps London can begrudgingly renegotiate contracts: 50-50
[ ][APOC] Ignore the issue. We can always handle it if it becomes a problem later
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Latin Europe Plus Greece: The gaggle of dictatorships, monarchies, and neo-fascist leaning regimes that answer to London are not closely tied into CAN or ICU. They are underdeveloped, underfunded, or vestigial regimes clinging to life because of Franco-British funding. There's no cohesive policy to handle them. Algiers wants to change that. Robert Schuman, the Christian Democrat, has been a leading voice calling for closer economic integration with the FBU's European allies. While not in government, the idea has some merit. Spain and Portugal are interested in closer ties with their Catholic brethren, especially in the face of communist control of Rome. As the leading power, FBU has the power to set the tempo of any organization.
Oh and Greece would be included in anything too. Not like it has anything else going for it.
[ ][LAEU] Push for the creation of an economic union and military alliance between Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece. The FBU will be an observer member with special access given to Algeria and Corsica
[ ][LAEU] Push for them to join the Imperial Customs Union. Surely they'd agree to that
[ ][LAEU] Focus purely on military affairs. Why develop their economies?
[ ][LAEU] Let them sort it out themselves
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Egyptian Unrest: So it turns out the king spending a significant portion of the GDP on personal hobbies while the prime minister takes bribes has left the country angry, very angry. MI6 warns that a military coup is likely within the next year. The Free Officers are left leaning anti-British Egyptian nationalists, but their leader General Naguib is slightly more conservative than the rest. He may be possibly open to negotiations with London. It might be too late to save the monarchy, but if there's anyone that's committed to ridding lost causes into the ground it's London. There must be something that the FBU can do to keep an unpopular monarch in power.
[ ][EGY] Why the obvious solution is to assassinate the leadership of the Free Officers. MI6 will draw up a list and get to work
[ ][EGY] Increase British garrisons in Alexandria and the Suez Canal. Back the monarchy to the hilt, whatever may come
[ ][EGY] Arrange discrete negotiations between King Farouk I, Prime Minister Mostafa Nahas, and General Naguib. In exchange for generous bribes and a lifetime stipend from London, the king will agree to reduced powers and make General Naguib prime minister
[ ][EGY] Sit by, let it happen
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Irish Troubles: Dublin and Belfast has requested Franco-British aid in putting down the IRA. The paramilitary organization refuses to recognize either the Dominion of Ireland or Northern Ireland as legitimate governments, so they continued their insurgency against British control of the island. The freedom of movement between the two Irelands has helped keep tensions between the governments low for the time being.
[ ][IRA] Increase British garrisons on the island. The military police will surely snuff out the IRA
[ ][IRA] Involve CAN to create a multinational task force effort to crack down on the IRA. Ireland joins Five Eyes to help coordinate the effort.
[ ][IRA] Throw money and arms at Dublin and Belfast to handle it themselves. The optics look better that way
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Other Issues
These aren't suggested planks. Just things that don't neatly fit into previous categories.
European Security: Spain and Norway are both concerned about infiltration from communists. Unrest is already on the rise in Catalonia, while Norway's vast border with Scandinavia allows plenty of places for foreign agents to discreetly cross. They both want firmer commitments from London to help assuage their concerns.
Fishing Rights: Italy and Greece are waging an undeclared war against their socialist counterparts by denying them access to their waters. Fishermen are encouraged to ram opposing vessels, cut fishing lines, dump in neighbouring water, and constantly harass their supposed brethren. The only thing that keeps London's allies in check is the presence of the Italy Navy. Transit rights in the Straits of Messina are a particular point of contention. Palermo doesn't want to allow any Socialist Italian ships through its waters, claiming the entire width of the strait.
Cadet Party Branches: A novel idea taken from the Comintern was to align the political parties of the dominions with London while leaving their independence intact. By providing funding, manpower, and favoured treatment, parties in Canada, Australia, South Africa, and India could be put under London's thumb, potentially giving the FBU more influence over their policies. The idea might be poorly received in the dominions though, even if it's sold as coordination rather than submission.
Indochina: There's a number of Catholics in Vietnam and Cambodia that had ties to the former colonial government. They've been sidelined by the Viet Min, but still hold some political and economic power within the country. There's some ideas floating around that perhaps they could be armed by smugglers from Australia and India before their influence is completely undercut.
Indonesia: It's close to Australia. It's filled with hundreds of ethnicities. Sukarno's government is filled with dissenting parties representing very opposing view points. There's some hope that maybe arms and funds could be smuggled into the country to encourage strife.
Unrecognized Countries: London doesn't recognize a significant portion of Asia's countries as legitimate at the moment. Maybe it's time to bite the bullet and establish relationships with them.
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There's no limit on planks per plan. There's a
300 word limit for plans.
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Please vote by plan. There is a moratorium.
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