The Phoenix Rising: A Nation Game of Secrets, Conspiracy, and the Unexpected
- IC -
The year is 2020, and a nuclear weapon is missing. Believed to have been stolen by a terrorist organisation, who left dozens dead and no evidence in their wake, the American weapon has turned international politics on it's head for the past three days. No group has come forward to claim responsibility, and no attack has been carried out using the weapon.
There are rumors that this was a new breed of weapon, something far more dangerous than ever before. The journalist who reported on that tip is now missing, and protests are mounting across the US. The US government denies that it abducted the journalist, but people and nations are angry. The world stands on the edge, and it shall be your actions that decide whether it goes flying off, or saves itself at the last minute.
Heading into 2016 situation the situation in Brazil was a mixed bag. On one hand the nation was the seventh largest GDP (PPP) economy in the world and the ninth in nominal and alongside his fellow BRICS partners one of the rising economies in the world being an important member of several organizations including the aforementioned BRICS, the G-20, Unasul, Mercosur, the Organization of American States, the Organization of Ibero-American States, the Latin Union and alongside Portugal the leader nation of the CPLP. Heading into the new year the country was set to organize for the first time the biggest sporting event in the world, the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The João Havelange Stadium or also known as the Olympic Stadium of Rio where the major events of the Olympics would take place. It is also the home venue of popular Brazilian football club Botafogo.
Despite all of this there were still some key issues among the Brazilian society. The disparity between the Rich and Poor was still very large and in many cases a point of contest. The major cities like São Paulo and Rio suffered from urbanization issues. Corruption ran rampant in the Brazilian Government with key political figures being investigated for corruption including both the President Dilma Roussef and members of her cabinet and also former President Lula da Silva.
The Protests were in big numbers in major cities against President Roussef calling for her impeachment.
Despite all of this though many believed that once the Olympics started the protests would die down a bit just like the Football World Cup two years prior due to what many would think a sense of patriotism would emerge during them. However the worst was yet to come for the Roussef Admnistration.
In the first month of the year a new crisis would occur one that would really change Brazil for the next four years.
Ukrayina- 2020 Name: Ukranian Republic Acting President: Viktor Muzhenko (2016-Present) Prime Minister: Vacant (2016-Present) Government Type: de Jure semi presidential constitutional republic (Millitary Dictatorship) Population: 47,159,990
Events
Revolution of July 5th
Ukraine in 2016 was in crisis. It was the rapidly declining economy and constant corruption scandals of the Ukranian Government that depressed and angered the public. On July 2nd 2016, thousands took to the streets once more, some calling for new elections, but most for a man to step up who would save Ukraine. The goverment was paralyzed. A few days later, the combined forces of Ukraine's armies overthrew civilian leaders and commander in chief Viktor Muzhenko declared himself acting president, until the duration of the crisis. The Ukrainian revolution seemed to play out quite similar to the revolution in Egypt. Muzhenko established public order and crushed or integrated the various militias that were the bane of the previous goverment. To ease foreign fears, Muzhenko said he would abide by Minsk II and continue agreements.
Ukraine Now
Today Ukraine is a paranoid, inwards looking nation. Having a huge return of religion to daily life, orthodox priests are frequently present at goverment events. Religion and government seem to be entwined all but in name. The millitary has undergone vast enlargement and reform, having learned from the disastrous rebellion and aftermath. National service is mandatory as a three year draft and large citizen reserve has been created. The air force has been strengthened in the face of the Russian threat as well. Russian minorities are not actively oppressed, though face significant community pressure to speak Ukrainian. Relations with the Russian puppets in the east are at an all time low, as their proxies inside of Ukraine are destroyed with increasing brutality. More and more of Ukraine's resources are stored for a perceived eventuality of fighting for its existence. With all these developments, there is little tourism, and some in Europe refer to Ukraine as "The Hermit Republic."
Military
471,600 active soldiers
1,197,863 Reserves/Draftees
Name: Third Polish Republic Head of State: Ryszard Petru Head of Government: Ryszard Petru National Anthem: "Mazurek Dąbrowskiego" National Motto: "Bóg, Honor, Ojczyzna" Population: 41,270,000 Capital: Warsaw Largest City: Warsaw Other Major Cities: Krakow, Lodz, Wroclaw, Poznan, Gdansk, Szczecin, Bydogoszcz, Lublin, Katowice, Bialystok, Gdynia, Czestochowa, Radom, Sosnowiec Currency: Euro
Polish President Ryszard Petru
Internal Events:
In the Late 2010's the Rise of the Liberal Modern Party in Poland first started to happen in 2015 when the new party, having just been founded, grabbed 23 seats in the Sejm. Modern's Platform of transforming Poland into a Modern First World Nation economically, militarily, and Socially resounded with the Youth of Poland, who for years struggled with the Conservative Government in place since 2009. Fortunately, the Conservative Government of Andrzej Duda had already begun the process of Modernizing Poland's Military and Poland's Economy had been growing nonstop since the 90's, although the 2009 Recession slowed that growth from 6% down to 3%. Both these Factors greatly helped Modern implement their policies. In 2018, with Modern Winning a Majority of Seats in the Sejm they managed to get several economic programs passed that saw workers gain similar rights as they have in Germany. This allowed an increase in productivity and Polish Profits Skyrocketed in 2019. The Exploitation of Baltic Oil also began in full capacity as the B8 Oilfield began to produce oil, making Poland less dependent on foreign oil.
Also in 2018, with Poland Being the Biggest Remaining Hold Out against Civil Partnerships for homosexuals in the EU, Brussels began to put pressure on the Sejm in order to pass a bill. President Petru and several high ranking Sejm Members from both Modern and Other, Smaller Parties such as PSL and SLD negotiated a deal with Brussels. In exchange for further investment into Poland's Economy, and assurances that Brussels would not push for more than civil partnership, they would support a bill to push through the Sejm on Civil Partnerships. An Accomodation was reached in late September 2018 and a Bill was narrowly passed in the Sejm. Soon after German and French Investment began to flow into Poland and the influx of new jobs and prosperity soon soothed many of the tensions. In addition many former Emigres who had moved to Germany and France moved back to Poland to get in on the emerging Market there and began to have an ameliorating effect on politics.
Unfortunately with the trade tensions between China and the USA Growth was stunted. With the German Investment, coupled with the B8 Oilfield Going Online and the general increase in Polish productivity in early 2018, the Polish GDP was predicted to hit the number 18 spot by Nominal GDP by Country and 16 By PPP. Unfortunately with the Instability caused by Donald Trump, Poland has fallen short of those goals by 109 Billion USD, sticking it at Number 20 by Nominal GDP and 19 by PPP. It is clear that if something is not done, the Economy will continue to fall short. Poland is currently looking at opportunities within the EU to address this.
By 2020 Poland's Military was once again a modern fighting force, her economy had become the 20th Largest in the World, and the 6th Largest in the European Union, her people enjoy more freedoms than ever, and she is well on her way to fulfilling her dream of becoming a modern 1st world nation. However the dictatorship in Ukraine and the recent disappearance of an experimental US Nuke both have Poland on edge.
Economic Status: Down from Projected
Poland is one of the 20 Largest Economies in the World, at the 20th Largest Economy in the World by Nominal GDP and 19th by PPP, Major Industries include Mining, Manufacturing, Service Industry, and Energy. Unfortunately due to the Global Recession, Poland has not reached her projected 812 billion GDP and has fallen short by 109 billion.
PKN Orlen, one of Poland's Largest Firms
Military:
The Polish Military is Well Trained, Courageous, and well equipped.
The Miecznik Coastal Defense Vessel, Poland's Brand New Top of the Line Modern Warship
Alliances Pacts and Trade
UN Member
EU Member
NATO Member
Visegrad Group Member
Signatory to the Geneva Convention
Trade with Most of the World
Diplomacy
Name: Federal Republic of the Philippines
Head of State: Rodrigo Duterte
Head of Government: Rodrigo Duterte
National Anthem: "Lupang Hinirang"
National Motto: "Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Makakalikasan at Makabansa"
Population: 108,435,000
Capital: Manila
Currency: Philippine Peso
Internal Events:
2016- Presidential Elections begin on the 9th of May.
Corruption, rampant in the Philippines, money that was supposed to be used for development of infrastructure, all going into the pockets of politicians, who did not care for their people. Many Filipinos wanted a leader that could save the country. It is by no surprise that many looked to Davao City Mayor, Rodrigo Duterte or Du30 as some like to call him, a man who had brought a city, once rampant with crime, to one of the safest cities in the world.
Duterte won the Elections with a with a wide margin between him and the next "Presidentiable" former Vice President Jejomar Binay.
The year is now 2020, and it is two years before the next elections, and the President has made substantial progress, his push for Federalism has help boost the economy of the Philippines, and the economy is growing at an unprecedented pace. Investments are pouring in, mostly from the fellow ASEAN nations, the US and Japan.
Economic Status: Growing
Military:
The Philippine Military is well trained and has experience in fighting against Guerrilla warfare having years of experience fighting MILF soldiers in Mindanao and NPA soldiers in Luzon. The Armed Forces are also in the process of Modernization.
Philippine Army:
85,000 Active
100,000 reserves
114 M113A2 APCs armed with .50 cal Machine guns
28 M113A2 APCs armed with 76mm guns
45 FV101 Scorpions
Severall 155mm towed artillery pieces, though the Philippines is looking to acquire a few mobile Artillery
Remnant New Peoples' Army in Norther Luzon and Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu and Mindanao continue to trouble the area.
While not as prominent as before, corruption is still somewhat of a problem.
We would like to invest in Lithuania's Mining Industry, Specifically we would like to invest in the Iron Deposits in the Southeast of your nation. We would of course hire locally to work the mines and split the profits with you 51/40 with Lithuania retaining the Majority Share. What Say You?
Poland would like to invest in the mining Industry in Albania, specifically your Nickel, Bauxite, and Chromite Deposits. We would of course hire locally to work the mines and split the profits with you 51/40 with Albania retaining the Majority Share. What Say You?
From: Poland
To: Visegrad Group Members @Tekomandor
Greetings to our fellow Visegrad Group Members. We were wondering if any of you would like to purchase some of our new military equipment? The PL-01 Tank for example comes with powerful Armor rated at STANAG Level 5+, Active Missile Defenses, a Radar Absorbent Paint Job, and a powerful 120mm Main Canon. Our W3A Gluszec Attack helicopter is a formidable craft, comparable to most higher priced American and Russian Models but for less cost. We have all sorts of equipment we can sell you. What Say You?
From: Poland
To: Phillipines @pharaoh122 Confidential
We hear you are in the Market for Mobile Artillery? Might we present the AHS Krab? A Self Propelled 155 MM All Terrain Armored Artillery Vehicle? Operational Range 360 KM, maximum firing range 40 km. You could ring a rebel stronghold with these from 30 KMs out and be able to accurately place shells on target and they wouldn't be able to touch you. Are you interested?
Good day, we are looking into purchasing larger ships to place into our navy, as an EDA signatory, we are hopig you have any ships, say a destroyer or a Frigate, that you are able to sell to us?
That's a big order, but we can get them to you over the next year or so. We would ask *Slightly Higher Than Average Price* since we are throwing in technical experts as well and the fact that these are new state of the art pieces of equipment that we only just equipped ourselves with in the last few years.
That's a big order, but we can get them to you over the next year or so. We would ask *Slightly Higher Than Average Price* since we are throwing in technical experts as well and the fact that these are new state of the art pieces of equipment that we only just equipped ourselves with in the last few years.
Name: State of Japan Head of State: Emperor Akihito Head of Government: PM Makoto Koga National Anthem: "Kimigayo" Population: 125,100,000 Capital: Tokyo Largest City: Tokyo Metropolis Other Major Cities: Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Kobe, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Kawasaki, Nagoya. Currency: Yen
Internal Events:
Not much has changed for Japan since 2016. Sure, the Olympics are coming (and have been a boondoggle,) but that's about it aside from the Koga government and civil service turning the pressure up on Businesses (partially collapsing the Iron Triangle in the process) to make Japan look a bit better for the Olympics and solve some structural issues at the same time. Like the birth rate problem (which has seen several years of delayed fertility happen all at once, with some unforeseen consequences.)
Also, there was a carbombing at Tokyo Big Sight involving a Kantai Collection-themed Daihatsu Move, most likely because of the lack of Comiket this year, but nothing else is expected to come of this, particularly given the discovery of teeth matching the owner of the vehicle embedded some of the debris.
Economic Status: Okay
Recently, following the partial collapse of the Iron Triangle, and increasing pressure by government to solve long-term demographic issues there has been significant pressure on Japanese businesses to become more family friendly, and to drive fewer white collar workers to suicide. The fortunate result is an uptick in actual productivity, and ongoing shortages of obstetricians and baby supplies. A dramatic shortage of schools and educators is expected to occur within 2-3 years.
Military:
Active: 246,950
Reserve: 57,100
Currently the JSDF is in the middle of a number of acquisitions and modernization programs.
JGSDF:
~150,000 Active personel.
Experiments with developing viable unmanned ground vehicles for combat have not gone well, and the JGSDF brass are beginning to think that strapping a machine gun to a Big Dog might actually be a crime against nature.
Armored Vehicles:
200 Type 10 MBT
340 Type 90 MBT
80 Type 74 MBT
78 Type 15 Maneuver Combat Vehicle
160 Type 89 IFV
210 Type 82 CCV
80 Type 87 Armored Reconnaissance vehicle
1700 Komatsu LAV
300 Type 73 APC
400 Type 96 APC
52 AAVP-7A1 APC
50 NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle
111 Type 99 SPH
99 MLRS
24 Type 96 Self-propelled Mortar
52 Type 87 SPAAG
Other notable ground equipment:
37 Type 96 MPMS TEL
200 Chū-MPM TELAR
50 Type 12 Surface to Surface Missile TEL
50 Type 81 SAM fire units
90 Type 93 SAM TEL
23 Type 11 SAM fire units
40 Type 03 SAM fire units
JGSDF Aviation Assets:
50 AH-64DJP
106 OH-1
30 OH-6D
23 MV-22B
58 CH-47J/JA
150 UH-60JA
30 UH-1J
20 TH-480B
(Also 9 fixed wing utility aircraft and numerous UAVs)
JASDF:
~50,000 personel
Currently in the process of integrating the F-35 into the fleet while finally retiring the F-4EJ.
Important Aircraft:
64 Mitsubishi F-2A
31 E/RF-4EJ Phantom
154 F-15J Kai
12 F-35A
3 RQ-4B
4 E-767
13 E-2C Hawkeye 2000
4 E-2D Hawkeye
4 KC-767
1 KC-46 (+2 on Order, due 2021)
30 Hawker 800
24 Kawasaki C-1
20 Kawasaki C-2 (+20 on order)
15 C-130H
16 CH-47J
75 UH-60J
(also 335 trainers and 12 miscellaneous/VIP aircraft)
JMSDF:
~50,000 Personel
Currently modernizing and replacing cold-war era vessels, but otherwise not expanding capability much beyond what was planned in FY15, aside from the lease of 4 F-35B to test on JS Kaga.
Ships:
11 Sōryū-class SSK
10 Oyashio-class SSK
2 Izumo-class DDH
2 Hyūga-class DDH
3 Ōsumi-class LST/LPD
1 Suzuya-class DDG (+1 on trials) (Sejong the Great-class equivalent)
2 Atago-class DDG
4 Kongō-class DDG
1 Hatakaze-class DDG
1 Akatsuki-class DDG (+1 in Trials 2 in construction/on order) (ASW optimized Akizukis)
4 Akizuki-class DDG
5 Takanami-class DDG
9 Murasame-class DDG
8 Asagiri-class DDG
6 Abukuma-class DE
6 Hayabusa-class Patrol Boat
27 Mine Countermeasures vessels
13 Training Vessels
5 AOR
1 Icebreaker
11 Miscellaneous vessels
Aircraft:
4 F-35B
43 P-3C (+4 EP-3C, 5 OP-3C, 4 UP-3C/D)
25 Kawasaki P-1
3 NAMC YS-11
6 KC-130R
8 ShinMaywa US-2
(Also 100 fixed-wing Trainers and Utility aircraft)
Despite having come in four points behind Ted Cruz in Iowa, businessman Donald Trump wasn't the type of guy who took a defeat sitting down. His "humble" concession speech after the official announcement of Ted Cruz's victory in Iowa was nothing more than an attempt to buy time. By the next day he had tweeted up a storm, declaring the caucus a "fraud" and calling for a "new election" after declaring "dirty tricks" being conducted by the Ted Cruz campaign. Along with the Ben Carson campaign, the Trump campaign files a lawsuit that nearly brings the Republican Party to its knees.
Despite pretty handily winning New Hampshire, South Carolina, an excellent showing in Nevada (for a state with a large Latino population, particularly Mexican-American), and so on, Trump remained fixated on the law suit, dragging along the baggage as a means to beat Cruz over the head with at debates and whenever anything "suspicious" (aka anything Donald Trump deemed suspicious) arose that could possibly be blamed on the Cruz campaign. Despite Republican Party Chairman Reince Pribus and the Republican National Convention's (RNC) successful attempt at getting Trump and Cruz to come to an official ceasefire and agreement on the "Iowa Question" for the time being.
Bad blood remained between the two campaigns and Ted Cruz was no stranger to burning bridges. Trump had no intentions of being upstaged, not while he had the GOP by the balls. Naturally this posed a problem as it seemed like the Republican Party wasn't big enough of for the both of them and their egos. Trump personally declared victory, believing he had slowly dragged out the issue to knock out the Cruz campaign at a later time (believing the scandal and lawsuits had lost Cruz vital states). While Cruz and Marco Rubio, Senator from Florida, battle it out state-for-state in order to win second place, Trump leads a commanding lead to Super Tuesday. Unfortunately for Trump, several scandals of past infidelities come out and some of his "wackier" antics ("And I'm gonna run a ship so tight, fuckin' the Hand of God couldn't sink us, right?") turn away many evangelicals and "Moral Majority" conservatives that were already not all that sold on him.
By the time the dust settled it became apparent that while Donald Trump had a majority of the delegates pledged to a candidate, he didn't have the necessary amount to proceed, with Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush (buoyed by his incredibly large warchest of early campaign donations, but hemorrhaging funds quickly) holding delegates and refusing to drop out. The candidate would be decided at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. The brutal campaign season (only technically halfway done, as these were only the primaries to elect the Republican candidate and the general election hadn't even started yet) had brought out a tremendous amount of anger and rage, embodied none other than the "candidate of anger" Donald Trump. The bitter fighting between the Cruz and Trump campaigns, which includes one of the most negative primary ad seasons in American political history, has not healed by the convention, in fact it's probably at its worst in the days leading up to it.
With negotiations ongoing at the convention, the first brokered one in decades, going poorly (and Donald Trump threatening to withdraw on numerous occasions), the tensions boil over out at the convention floor. An argument between two Trump and Cruz staffers over WiFi access gets out of hand, and fist fight breaks out. Before anyone can stop it, a brawl has broken out on the convention floor between Cruz and Trump supporters (and occasional Marco Rubio supporters that are dragged into the fray). Live streams caught chairs and fists flying before the police and security could intervene and end the violence. Six are arrested and twelve are sent to the hospital with injuries. It's not exactly Chicago 1968 but the pundits run with it anyway, and the unedited video of Cruz and Trump staffers exchanging punches was not a good image for the GOP.
Now, you'd probably think that this is the best possible scenario for the Democratic Party. Perhaps that might be true if the Democratic Party was of any particular competence. With its slipping hold on state legislatures and governor's offices, the Democratic Party counted on taking the Presidency and ruling through slow, incremental legislative reforms (when possible) in a gridlocked Congress, and increasingly rely on executive actions to get things done. While Hillary Clinton had expected a coronation, Bernie Sanders has made his anti-Wall Street, anti-big bank, and anti-establishment campaign rhetoric into a genuine political movement. With a poor performance by Clinton at a CNN debate before the Iowa caucus, Bernie Sanders manages to win over Clinton by 1% in Iowa. With a victory in Iowa in his belt, the underdog Sanders moved on to win in a landslide ten points in New Hampshire and loses to Clinton by a thin margin in Nevada (while picking up an ample amount of delegates).
However, no matter what he did, Sanders could never enthuse the minority vote like he needed to in order to beat Clinton. While he had made some in roads with Black and Latino communities and populations across the country, Sanders' primary support came from the white middle class, in particular white college students, and many in the white working class. By the time South Carolina came rolling around, the general consensus was that Bernie was going to lose. While he managed to push within reach of the margin of error in some left-leaning and optimistic polling agencies, it was very unlikely he was going to win. But the race would get thrown for another loop when Clinton would suffer a health emergency while on the campaign trail.
The Clinton campaign goes dark, absolutely shutting the world and the media out. This doesn't fly, not in 2016 and not in this race. Donald Trump runs with the logical train of thought and beats Clinton as being "on the verge of death" and as many don't know where Clinton is due to the media blackout her campaign has put up, rumors are rampant that she's on her deathbed or trying to get out of getting convicted for her email scandal. After remaining respectful and generally ignoring the issue, the Sanders campaign would relent and begin openly "demanding answers". Despite getting back on the campaign trail less than two weeks later, the Clinton campaign would never recover, and Hillary Clinton would be forced to back out due to "health-related reasons", leaving Sanders as the heir apparent to the Obama legacy.
With what is perhaps one of the most contentious general election seasons in American history ongoing, many believe the race couldn't get any more chaotic. Fist fights at the Republican National Convention, the GOP being torn apart at the seams and the Democratic race being left to a 'socialist' radical. With Hillary Clinton's departure for health problems, Bernie Sanders is quick to seize the Democratic nomination, it was simply too late to get someone to run against him and the DNC decided against it when they realized how messy it could become. Businessman, former New York City mayor and Independent (former Democrat and former Republican) Micheal Bloomberg announces his intentions to run for president as a third party candidate.
Micheal Bloomberg had declared early in 2016 that he would "seriously consider" entering the presidential elections if Hillary Clinton couldn't effectively defeat Bernie Sanders, and with her out and Sanders championing the mantel of American Progressivism as the Democratic nominee. Bloomberg decried Sanders as a radical and Trump as a racist "lunatic" and sought to appeal to a "broad spectrum of moderate and respectable Americans interested in stability and prosperity" with his "Union Party", hoping to dive for a demographic of centrist independents and moderate Democrats and Republicans.
Bloomberg's technocratic message of competency, public investment in science, education and technology along with attempts to appeal to Wall Street and Americans afraid of the radical rhetoric coming from the Democratic and Republican parties that have been "hijacked" by anti-establishment blocs. His message resonates with some; while many moderates are turned away from Trump and Sanders the polarizing nature of the modern day means that moderates and centrists are in short supply. Bloomberg's open and blatant anti-gun and perceived "nanny state" tendencies (referencing Bloomberg's move, as mayor of New York City, to ban soft drink cups of a certain size) turn away many possible conservatives from supporting him. However, many Democrats unhappy with Sanders' perceived "weak" stance on guns and find it a key issue are swayed to Bloomberg.
With November rapidly approaching, the Republicans decide on Trump, the establishment finally deciding that Cruz is simply too much of an asshole to let into the Oval Office, so much so that Donald Trump appears to be a lesser evil. Rubio relents and drops out, surrendering his delegates to Trump, giving him the victory in the Republican Primary. Establishment Republicans and many evangelicals walk out of the convention, feeling betrayed. Trump's victory over Cruz and the Establishment leads to a media firestorm. The three-way race to the presidency brings out the absolute worst in American culture and media.
An ISIS-inspired "lone wolf" attack on a church in Atlanta in October, along with a general slow down of the economy on the news of China's "readjusted" growth numbers and the dirt cheap oil prices, leads to a last second swing for the Trump campaign. Hysteria is running rampant. People are terrified and demand immediate action while Trump unleashes a wave of his strongest anti-Muslim rants and speeches in order to capitalize on the momentum so close to Election Day. Racial tensions were escalating as well, as the enormous anti-Rahm Emmanuel (mayor of Chicago) protests following several police scandals being cleared by state investigators, turn violent and several police officers and protesters are killed.
The spiraling feeling of malaise, anger and uncertainty allow Trump to run on a ballot of "Law and Order". His tough-talking and bluster appealed to white blue collar workers, far more than Bernie Sander's socialism, cutting into a major potential Sanders demographic. Donald Trump does tremendously well among "former Democrats" and "working class Democrats". Sanders on the mean hand can't appeal to minorities like Hillary Clinton could, and while blacks and Latinos will still be voting Democratic, many are not mobilized outside of the college students. Bernie just simply didn't have the same appeal. With Bloomberg taking away anti-gun Democrats, moderates, significant Wall Street funding, etc. Sanders' "Coalition" isn't enough to win him the presidency and democrats realize maybe Hillary Clinton wasn't so bad after all. While Bloomberg drops out when it becomes apparent that all he's doing is handing the election to Trump, the damage is done.
Donald Trump is President of the United States of America.
The Zika Outbreak and it's consequences on Brazil
Late in 2015 a sudden outbreak of the disease begun to affect many of the Brazilian states. According to researchers the virus arrived in Brazil from French Polynesia during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The first cases were confirmed in May 2015 in the district of Camaçari and the neighboring city of Salvador the capital of the State of Bahia. However many people thought it was just a case of small fever something that usually ended up passing and was considered not as dangerous as Dengue or Yellow Fever. This would all change in the later months of the year 2015 and early 2016 when suddenly an explosion of cases in microcephaly in new-born babies begun to register. By the end of 2015 there were 2,782 cases confirmed. It was reported in November in the Ceará state that a newborn baby had been isolated with Zika as having microcephaly and other coginital issues. In Early January the medical journal "The Lancet" reported that the Brazilian Ministry of Health lead by newly appointed Minister Marcelo Castro had confirmed 134 cases of microcephaly "believed to be associated with Zika virus infection" with an additional 2,165 cases in 549 counties in 20 states remaining under investigation. Immediatly following this many countries begun to issue travel warnings not just to Brazil but other countries for Pregenant Women. In February 1st it was even declared an International Emergency by the World Health Organization.
Seriously this is what happens when you get microcephaly on a newborn baby
Early in the year 2016 the Brazilian Government attempted to fight the disease as best as they could. The National Biosafety Comittee approved the release of more genetically modified Aedes aegypti mosquitos throughout their country. A previous study had shown that these type of "self-limiting" mosquitos to fight dengue, Chikungunya and Zika was being sucessfull as there was a reduction in 90% of the Mosquito population in the testing region Juazeiro. That is due to the fact that male genetically modified mosquitoes begin to mate with females in the wild and they transmit a self-limiting gene that causes the resulting offspring to die before reaching adulthood, thus diminishes the local mosquito population. It had some sucess in cleanising the disease in some of the affected areas although once again only the Major cities and States were prioritized over many. In Rio the sucess was near total and by July the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro Eduardo Paes declared Rio "Zika-free". However 2016 was not over and despite how sucessfull with the help of outside interference the disease was fought there was still protest against Dilma for prioritizing certain areas over others. However the worst was yet to come as we hit the Summer Months before the Olympics.
한국- 2020 Name: Republic of Korea Head of State: President Min Su Hwa Head of Government: Prime Minister Park Ji Min Type of Government: Unitary Presidential Constitutional Republic National Language: Korean National Religion: N/A Population: 70 Million Motto: 홍익인간 "Benefit Broadly the Human World" National Anthem: "애국가" "Aegukga" Capital: Seoul Largest City: Seoul Domestic
Internal Events:
The Government has begun instituting a new infrastructure program to build new or repair old infrastructure or implement updates on regular 5 years schedules to prevent dilapidation and keep costs down. Also efforts to update the nations telecommunication networks will be pushed forward ahead of schedule for the reason of the vastly increased use.
Internal Problems:
Fear over Chinese Controlled North Korea remains while no longer under threat by the Crazy Kims [for now] nobody is holding their breath for this to stay long especially with the ruckus from the US. Concerns also are forming that despite success the nation is seeing a unraveling of it's ally in the United States with this some fear a need to consider future deterrents to the north.
As if not enough questions have arisen on the future of Japanese business given the fact they only recently have begun fixing the problem with their businesses now. Also worries if Japan gets desperate it may further strain relations.
Concerns also hinge on the dust settling in the US where the nation's politics are a basket case. The nation can't seem to figure itself out and being one of the major protectors of the Republic gives the government pause.
Despite success there is a major worry over the nations education system, some thing reforms in it have been slow and that it needs to keep up least the country fall behind growing states in the region.
Foreign International Standing:
Respected
Economic Status:
Very Strong
Continued growth and innovation has lead to the Republic being among the top economies in the world and reforms have kept the usual slow down head winds from rearing their heads.
Military
Army: The Republic of Korea's Army is a professional and well trained force able to equal 3 or 4 times it's own numbers in ability and force compared to most weaker nations. Training help and exercises with the US have continued to build a strong foundation of effectiveness and competency into the armed forces and no where is this more visible than the Army. Troops:
Active: 4.2 Million
Active Reserves [Ready within 72 Hours]: 1 Million
Inactive reserves [Ready within 6 Months]: 3 Million Tanks:
800 K2A1 Black Panthers
80 T-80U's
2,000 K9 Thunder Self propelled Artillery
3,000 pieces of 105 and 155mm artillery pieces
100 MLRS systems
SAM Batteries
200 S-300 Batteries
100 S-400 batteries
Choppers
200 UH-1 Huey's
240 Chinook Choppers
180 CH-60 choppers Navy: Small but effective the navy is meant to be the trade and flank defense force of the nation in the event of invasion to avoid the DMZ an enemy may strike by sea and this force is the one to stop them.
4 Dokdo-class amphibious assault ships
18 Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyers
24 Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin class destroyers
26 Sejong the Great class destroyers
12 Ulsan class frigates
12 Incheon class frigates
15 Chang Bogo Class Submarines
12 Son Wonil-class Submarines Air Force: One of the Biggest places where the nation is trying to expand the Air Force is equipped mostly with US Craft beyond army and air force choppers where some are Russian designs most are US and thus are of good designs however they are aging and fears are they may soon become ineffective in protecting the country. Recently the First order of new F-35s have arrived giving hope that the air force can stay relevant.
48 F-35As
80 F-15E's
120 F-16C/Ds
300 support and transport and intelligence planes and air craft
Alliances, Agreements, Pacts, and Trade: UN Member, US Ally and Trade Partner, EU Trade Partner
The Petrobras Scandal and the fall of the Roussef Presidency
As we entered the Summer months of 2016 uncertianity was the word of the moment in Brazil. Uncertainity whether the Olympics would go well. Uncertainity about the future and distrust against the Government. Then the bomb exploded pretty much. On July 13th 2016 the major Brazilian TV Network Globo announced on his News that proof that linked President Dilma Roussef and several key members of Government to "Operação Lava Jato". Needless to say the news were explosive. Massive renewed protests begin calling for Dilma's impeachment or resignation. That was of course fueled heavily by Dilma's rivals including the defeated candidate in the 2014 Presidential Elections and leader of the main opposition party the Social Democratic Party of Brazil Aécio Neves.
Aécio Neves and his speak to his supporters calling for Dilma Roussef's resignation
The other major opposition came from the Socialist Party with one of the more important voices of dissention coming from ex-football player turned Senator for Rio Romário.
Senator Romário in one of his interviews following the breaking of the news on Dilma's investigation
Even within Dilma's party the contestation was growing and the following news that Vice-President Michel Temer of the Brazilian Democratic Movement resigned over political divergences with Dilma the situation was getting out of control. This was followed by all members of the PMDB walking out in protest. The calls for impeachment were getting bigger and bigger until on July 25th, President Dilma Roussef talked to the country on national TV and officially anounced she was resigning as President of Brazil and had called the President of the Chamber of Deputies Eduardo Cunha to take the Presidency.
President Dilma Rousseff officially announcing she was resigning from the position of President following the Petrobras Scandal and the massive protests calling for her impeachment from whithin the Coalition itself.
However the Senate President himself abdicated following just a couple of hours later due to him also being involved in the Petrobras Scandal therefore letting President of the Senate Renan Calheiros to become President Pro-Tempore of Brazil. Senator Calheiros immediatly called for new Presidential Elections to take place in late September and until then he would run the country as Intern President to make sure the Olympics occurred with no further incident and the Zika outbreak was fought.
Reactions worldwide to this were massive the effects mostly felt in the Portuguese speaking countries. As for Brazil it completely crushed the Worker's Party and it also affected the PMDB in some aspects although not as much.
Good day, we are looking into purchasing larger ships to place into our navy, as an EDA signatory, we are hopig you have any ships, say a destroyer or a Frigate, that you are able to sell to us?
Name: Swiss Federation Governed by: Federal Council Population: 8.49 Million Capital: Bern Major Cities: Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne. Currency: Swiss Franc
Domestic Report:
The Swiss Federation is the wealthiest country in the world by GDP per capita. Largely unaffected by international events, Switzerland has remained in this position for some time, and it's likely to stay that way for even longer. The country is one of the largest traders in the world, having free trade agreements connecting it with every other country.
Economic Status:Great
Politically, the country is stable, and has been referred to as the most forward thinking nation in the world due to it's policies on virtually every issue. Switzerland is known for not holding close ties with any particular nation, and is not a member of the EU. The Federation serves as a neutral place of meeting for many international agreements, and many of its cities are the the headquarters for various organizations, such as the United Nations, and Red Cross.
Education in Switzerland varies by canton (province), but it is generally believed that its system is top notch. This is supported by its prestigious universities, with students attending from all over the globe. Technologically, Switzerland is extremely advanced. One example of this is its communication interception system, Onyx.
Militarily, Switzerland is fairly powerful.
Active Personnel: 150,000 Reserve Personnel: 77,000
Name: Federal Republic of Germany President of Germany: Joachim Gauck Chancellor: Ursula von der Leyen National Anthem: "Deutschlandlied" Population: 81 million Capital: Berlin Largest City: Berlin Currency: Euro
Internal Events:
The last 4 years have been fairly unremarkable for Germany. In 2017, Angela Merkel fell from power, not because of any huge scandal, it was simply time that brought her down. In the 2017 general election CDU/CSU walked away with victory once again, but Merkel would not be the leader who would be made chancellor. Ursula von der Leyen, the minister of Defense came to be named the new Chancellor. Over the last three years the Bundeswehr has been undergoing many reforms especially in regards to procurement, and steadily military spending has been on the rise. The most radical shift in terms of Germany's military is now an emphasis on UAV development and cyber security (which is going hand in and hand with a federal net infrastructure program).
The refugee crisis was still a hot button issue, but the lack of any terrorist attack in Germany kept the dialogue tame. While some programs were mandatory for refugees to take part in, the number of refugees allowed in the country stayed the same, and was not reduced. BMW has recently announced a partnership with Google to make self-driving cars, and German Banks are reaping the benefits of investing in Poland. ThyssenKrupp has also made some breakthroughs in industrial robotics and automation.
Economic Status: Good
Despite a rapidly aging population the German economy is quite robust. Increases in Military spending and military reforms has seen Germany put 2.3% of their budget into defense spending, with emphasis on Cyber Security, a UAV Program in the Luftwaffe, and readjustment in social services for soldiers. The boost to the financial sector has if anything shown the strength of the Euro and the German influence upon it, and the question of Greece which likely has neglected to do their reforms, will come to a head soon enough
The civilian sectors of the economy are doing well, and the financial sectors have been showing high returns following some financial firms investments in Poland. BMW has recently announced a partnership with Google to make auto-drive cars. Overall Germany has been benefiting from low energy costs. In part this is why Germany is contributing and is hoping for ITER to be a success. Infrastructure is improving, but education is the largest social service that has seen expansion in recent years.
And then some guy in a toupee across the ocean lost a nuke...
We would like to invest in Lithuania's Mining Industry, Specifically we would like to invest in the Iron Deposits in the Southeast of your nation. We would of course hire locally to work the mines and split the profits with you 51/40 with Lithuania retaining the Majority Share. What Say You?
Poland would like to invest in the mining Industry in Albania, specifically your Nickel, Bauxite, and Chromite Deposits. We would of course hire locally to work the mines and split the profits with you 51/40 with Albania retaining the Majority Share. What Say You?
Greetings to our fellow Visegrad Group Members. We were wondering if any of you would like to purchase some of our new military equipment? The PL-01 Tank for example comes with powerful Armor rated at STANAG Level 5+, Active Missile Defenses, a Radar Absorbent Paint Job, and a powerful 120mm Main Canon. Our W3A Gluszec Attack helicopter is a formidable craft, comparable to most higher priced American and Russian Models but for less cost. We have all sorts of equipment we can sell you. What Say You?
From: Poland
To: Visegrad Group Members @Tekomandor Confidential
Well the Tanks are going to Cost *Average Price* per batch of 100, the Same for our AHS Krab Self Propelled Artillery. The PZL Gluszec Attack Helicotpers cost *Average price* Per batch of 25, KTO Rosomak M3 IFV's are available for *Average Price* per batch of 250 and we can also sell you our Modular Weapon System and PZR Grom Surface to Air Rocket Lauchers for *Cheap price*
Let us know how many you want of each item.
From: Poland
To: Lithuania, Albania (Separate Notes) @Tekomandor
