Foreign Concerns Gazette/Year 446.5 - 447

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***A President Missing, a King and a Prince Dead:***

**Assassinations, Civil War, Economic Tremors**

A Year After Treaty of Saldan, Great Powers Pursue Ambitious Economic Policy Amid Instability In Minor Powers

**Economic News:**

* "Growing Pains or Death Spiral?" *In six months after integration of Confederate Princes, Thalranese economy contracts by 36% under sustained trade, supply chain and capital liquidity shocks. Observers comment that outsized Thalranese trade sector exposed it to magnified shocks.*
	+ "Mismatched Expectations" *Economic Analysts Conclude Thalranese Economy Suffered Liquidity Crisis as Investment Poured into New Territories; Fragile Supply Chains and Trust Relationships Snapped in Painful Reorganization of Thalranese Internal Economy; Saldanese economist Willard Bernat comments,* "We always anticipated some loss to the original Marcher Lords from the integration of less developed Confederate worlds, but this crisis exceeds all expectations. It seems that many lords had the same idea and crippled themselves trying to avoid a loss."
	+ "Acrimony, Internal Strife" *'Old Guard' lords of the Marches blame Confederate newcomers, demand they pay for economic collapse or suffer piracy. Gunnot holds firm, refuses punitive taxation.*
	+ "Foreign Owners Threatened" *Valdosian assets in Thalranese Marches broadly suffer with the economy; Sermayan, Shantine and Aeldman merchants close warehouses and cancel trips, writing off assets meant to establish commerce. Relatively small size of Marcher Economy allays fears of an infectious downturn.*
	+ "Last Minute Stimulus" *Aeldrum, Alusia Reach Eleventh-Hour Agreement to Supply Loan of 800e at 3% Interest to Fund Marcher Stimulus Package.*
		- "We Didn't Vote for the Marches to be Puppeteered by Aeldmen!" Thalranese lords and Confederate Newcomers decry "Debt Slavery." *High Lord Armalos Circulates Political Cartoon of Prince Gunnot Being Strung Hat-in-Hand to an Aeldman Caricature.*
		- "Rampant Corruption" *Estimates Circulate that Up to a Third of Marcher Stimulus Package was Captured by Unintended Recipients.*
		- "Rays of Optimism" *Stimulus sees uptick in economic activity: forecasts hold that without further shocks, Thalranese economy could stabilize in next six months, but warn that fragile economic organization could see enormous setbacks.*
	+ "A Crushing Deficit, With No Tax Options" *Sources close to Marcher Government Report Treasury Virtually Exhausted, with Historic Deficit Anticipated. Gunnot's Promise to Set Discretionary Taxes at 5% for Fialta Lords Makes Raising Taxes Political Impossibility, Say Observers.*
* "The Clans Will Do What Is Right, I Am Sure" *King of Druz Imposes Quarantine Measures, Anticipates Halted Trade as Unusual Fever Spreads among Dwarves.*
* "Annexation and Trade Drive Economic Performance: But What About the Fundamentals?" *Aeldrum dominates economic growth through state spending, trade expansion, but internal growth is strongest in Alusia.*
	+ "An Economy Built on State-Led Industry" *Aeldman Capital Goods, Arms and Ethernet Industries Spearheaded by National Champion Firms Account for 1/5th of Aeldman GDP.*
	+ "Fundamental Differences in Organization" *Alusia reports strong factory sales at considerable profits, but returns accrue entirely to the state, without evidence in wider economy. Aeldrum's reliance on industry contractors to produce arms, capital goods means that sales revenue accrues to wider economy.*
	+ "ToSTA Did Not Erase All Alignments" *Strong Demand for Aeldman Capital Goods in Historic Trade Partners and New Celestial Venues; Deutschreich, Fialta Union Put in Recurring Alusian Orders; Sermaye Buys from both Powers.*
	+ "Competitor, Customer" *Aeldrum Dominated International Demand for Alusian Factory While Organizing its Own Capital Goods Industry.*
* "Commodities Exchange – Taking the Uncertainty out of Trade" *Alusia Announces Imminent Opening of Commodities Exchange: Deutschreich will be Inaugural Partner. Overtures to ToSTA Partners Expected.*
	+ "A Natural Place for Administrative Excellence" *Alusian Civil Service Procedures to Be Integrated into Commodities Exchange for Maximum Efficiency. Expected Trade Volume Growth as high as 15% Forecast.*
* "Stock Exchange: Equilibrating Cosmic Capital" *Sermaye Announces Plans for Stock Exchange, Emphasizes Opportunities for Mutual, International Growth from Connecting Investors to Capital-Constrained Businesses in other Nations. Aeldrum Expresses Initial Interest.*
* "Supply Chain Integration – The Key to Commercial Strategy?" *Aeldrum's state-led arms and capital goods sales rely on historic integration with industrial partners: Alusia develops supply-chain integration program in similar model, forecasting large economic multiplier on factory production.*
* "An Invitation to the Walled Garden" *Aeldrum Concludes Landmark Trade Agreement with New Celestial Confederation (NCC), Nippon States permitting Pass-Through Trade to Interior Celestial Partners. Aeldrum Secures Trade Arrangements with All Interior Celestial Powers in Flurry of Diplomatic Activity.*
	+ "Guarding and Trading at the Door" *Orcish Directorate, NCC, Nippon, Thalranese and Aeldrum agree to Mutual Defense Pact centered on routes from Imperial to Celestial Space, including the Pin Jump and Mir'Thalran.*
		- *In Recognition of Defensive Pact, Thalranese Marches conclude trade deal with Nippon States.*
	+ "A Quarter of the Pin Jump Means a Seat at the Table" *Orcish Directorate is Aeldman Partner in Distribution, Pass-Through and Other Commerce Deals.*
	+ "We Open and Close the Gates" *Nippon Reserves Exclusive Distribution Rights with Neighbors, but in Historic Gesture Allows Limited Aeldman Merchants*
	+ "Hooking Up the Cosmos" *Aeldrum's General Etheric Begins Ethernet Construction in Nippon States and NCC. Commits to Ethernet in two theaters each, as well as Ashgarate of New Nippon.*
* "A Rapid Integration" *Shantine Empire Rapidly Integrates Kingdom of Bec into Wider Economy. Comparatively Small Bec Economy and Strong Shantine Merchant Presence Facilitate Smooth Integration.*

**International Relations:**

* "A Personal Union" *Queen-Mother and Regent Alana of Bec Consents to Betrothal of her son the King of Bec to Shantine Imperial Heiress. In Sweeping Treaty, Shantine Forces Assume Protective Obligations in Bec, Receiving Navigational and Taxation Rights to Support Efforts Against Insurgent Ur-Behk Cult. Becois Concordat Affirms Individuality of Kingdom, Administrative Autonomy and Embodiment of Two Crowns in Planned Royal-Imperial Marriage.*
* "Not Just a Commercial Arrangement" *Omnibus Aeldman Trade Deal in Celestial Space Includes Defensive Pacts for Critical Trade Routes, Also Enshrines Bilateral Understandings Among Celestial Powers. Observers Speculate that with Rapprochement of NCC, Middle Kingdom and Aeldrum and Nippon Acting in Historically Close Concert, Platform for Celestial Peace May be In Progress.*
	+ "Overheating the Foreign Service" *Aeldrum Reported to Have Spent Fortune Administrating a Government Working Overtime to Secure Vast Trade Concessions in Celestial Space.*
* "Disarmament Delayed" *Promising Null Bomb Disarmament Talks Between Aeldrum, Fialta Imperium Lead to Joint Resolution for Mutual Detonation, But Execution Delayed by Assassination of Prince Claudius, Casting Uncertainty over Future of Agreement.*
* "Cooperating to Support the Marches" *Alusian and Aeldman Officials Worked Closely to Develop Aid Package for Thalranese Marches, Presented United Front in Pursuing Economic and Political Stability in Historic Coalition Partner. Shantine Express Support, but Involvement is Less Direct.*
* "Speak only in a manner befitting of the faithful, in person and on the Ethernet: be sure that the shadow cast by your words and actions would not vanish before the light of Kirva's flame, that your deeds be truthful and just." *Empress Theoboda transmits broadcast across OnlyFlames pleading for Kirvan radical elements abroad to behave as ambassadors of Kirva, to mixed international reaction.*
	+ "A Soothing Voice, A Moral Example" *Shantine, Confederate and Alusian Kirvan Clerics Praise Empress for her Spiritual Example, Express Thanks for Compassionate Voice that Speaks to Kirvans Without Dismissing or Suppressing. Aeldman Lay Kirvans and Middle Clergy Express Strong Support.*
	+ "A Show of Authority" *Aeldman and Sermayan Patriarchs Express Concern at the Shantine Empress's Assumption of Spiritual Leadership.* "Why Did These Words Need to Come from the Empress and Not From the Shantine Patriarchs?" *Kirvan Bishop of Harwel Asks in Televised "Church Chat" Conversation with Legate of Aeldrum's Idolmarite Cardinal.* "Perhaps Well-Meaning, but an Inappropriate and Dangerous Linkage of Shantine Imperial Power to Kirvanism," *Writes Excommunicated Bishop Tarlo from Diocese in Newly Fialta Imperial Space.*
	+ "A Dog Whistle" *Critics of the Empress Point to Ambiguous Messaging, Read Remarks as Concession to Predictably Violent Individual Kirvan Morality.* "Either she means to encourage them, or she's afraid anything more forceful will cost her the cult of personality she's built," *comments retired Alusian general staff officer.*
* "Diplomatic Assistance from a Gunboat" *Elvish Enclaves Dispatch "Embassy Ships" to Delarman Space to Support Elvish Community, Provide Humanitarian Aid and Keep Peace as Violence Escalates.* *Gazette Informants Report Elvish Embassy Receiving Private Visits from Multiple Rebel Factions.*

**Military, Criminal and Disaster News:**

* "Crown Prince Claudius Slain in Shocking Car Bombing" *The Crown Prince was Killed by an Explosion Moments after Leaving a Review of Senior Military Officials*. *Claudius was Due to Attend Meeting at Imperial Palace on Discovery of Alleged Sword of Dres'Fialt.* *Emperor Asterion Expresses Grief, Resolve, Touring Military Establishments Affiliated with Claudius. Asterion Vows to Find Perpetrators.*
* "King of Bec Assassinated in String of Terror Attacks on Bec Capital" *Ur-Behk Cult Takes Violence from the Forests to the Cities, Throwing Government in Chaos.*
	+ "Knights of Adarnum Feel the Burn" *KoA Chapter Houses in Bec Targeted for Arson and Drive-by-Shootings in Ur-Behk Terror Campaign.*
* "President of Delarma Goes Missing: No Reported Sightings in 3 Months, Government Dissolves Under Competing Succession Claims"
* "Gunshots and Screams, Neighborhood Cordoned Off" *Urban violence in Ahlam as Alusian Secret Police Arrest Effort Turns into Floor-by-Floor Melee with Mass Casualties. Reports Indicate that Alusian Police Lost Control of the Combat Zone and that Many Suspects Escaped. Second Similar Incident Reported, with Police Cordon Holding. No Comment Yet from Alusian State Authorities.*
* "Riots on Bishant and Highveldt: Effigies of Patriarch of Highveldt and Lord Yannek Burned" *After Accusation of Revelationism against Lord Yannek by Patriarch of Highveldt, Competing Mass Demonstrations Clash on Shantine Holy Worlds. Riotous Masses Demand Removal of Yannek from Government, While Larger Groups Threaten Patriarch of Highveldt for Tacit Insult of Empress Theoboda. Violent Clashes Narrowly Avoid Escalating with Speedy Trial of Yannek; Empress Theoboda Personally Intervenes at Highveldt to Calm Mob and Rescue Patriarch of Highveldt from Besieged Palace.*

**Culture and General Interest:**

* "The First 100,000" *Ambitious Aspire Student Program on Aeldrum Successfully Rotates First 100,000 Participants: Students Enjoy Career Training, Civic and Historical Education, Networking and Spiritual Support in Aeldman Capital. Estimated 20 Percent Remain on Aeldrum, 30 Percent of all Students Estimated to Join or Help Found Local Spire Churches.*
* "Trial of the Century" *Lord Yannek Submits to Trial by Fire in Eyes of Kirvan Angel at Heart of Basilica of Bishant. Yannek is Seared for Imperfections, but Judged Innocent of Charges of Misleading Empress and of Heresy. After Recovery Period, Yannek Resumes Senior Post in Shantine Government to Wide Acclaim.*
* "A Crisis Weathered" *Polls and OnlyFlames Consumption Show Ecstatic Support for Shantine Imperial Government in Wake of Highveldt Accusations: Empress's Popularity at All-Time High, but Signs of Discontent from the most Orthodox Kirvans. Cosmically, polling suggests Shantine Empress now dominates public perception of Kirvanism, especially among non-Kirvans. Patriarch Jan rated most favorably among Patriarchs.*
* "Taking the Big Chair" *Patriarch of Highveldt Expresses Remorse for "*Error of Judgment*" and Ensuing Violence in Accusing Lord Yannek and Chooses Meditative Retirement to "*Consider my Errors*." Bishop Latakon, Longtime Protegee of Jan of Bishant, Accepts Election to Patriarchal Post with Strong Support from Patriarchs of Korinth and of Brumaire.*
* "Nothing Sends Regards Like a Hovercar" *Fialta Imperial Palace Approves Gift of Luxury Hovercar to every Imperial Prince for Anniversary of Confederate Partition.* *Fialta Artificer Rol'Seroyce Accepts Commission for Cars' Etheric Engines.*
* "A Sign: Endorsement or Demand for Action?" *Thalranese Mining Venture in Gunnot's Private Estates on Tar'Thalran Discovers Ancient Sepulcher Containing Alleged Sword of Dres'Fialt. Doctor Eero Norman, Fialta Archaeological Expert, Confirms Validity. Gunnot's Thalranese Cleric Claims Gift from Thalran to Gunnot; Critics Claim Sword is Sign that Thalranese Marches Must Survive by Old Ways, Not New. Lord Armalos:* "We've given up cherished rights, bound ourselves in trade, and paid dearly for it. The sword is a reminder of who we are: I do not think Gunnot will show himself able to heed this clear sign."
	+ "A Leader Bruised but Still Confident" *Gunnot's Political Messaging Around Thalranese Economic Crisis Shows Resolve, Dismisses Opposition Leaders: Generally Favorably Responses from Thalranese Aristocrats, Driven Heavily by Expectations of Speedy Conclusion to Crisis.*

**Foreign Concerns Special Economic Report:** GDP and GDP/100k people of the Great Powers:

* Serene Duchy of Aeldrum: 64.03k econ, 2.3/pop
* Empire of Alusia: 30.2k econ, 1.93/pop
* Empire of Bishant: 39.3k econ, 1.48/pop
* Fialta Imperium: 31.07k econ, 1.64/pop
* Thalranese Marches: 3.87k econ, 1.87/pop
* *The Gazette has updated its methodology to include the effects of Aeldman state spending more accurately.*
* *The Fialta Imperium has overtaken the Empire of Alusia as the 3rd largest economy in the cosmos, largely on the strength of trade gains. Shantine growth has also largely been driven by the expansion of trade with the Imperium. The Thalranese Marches have contracted by 36%.*
* *"Fundamental" non-trade and non-investment growth was highest in Alusia, at 5.37%, followed by Aeldrum at 5.29%, Bishant at 3.09%, the Thalranese Marches at 3.08%, and the Fialta Imperium at 2.73%.*
* *Aeldman economic gains were dominated by capital sales, arms contracts and general commerce, mostly stemming from Celestial Space.*
* *Aeldrum and Alusia were the laggards in population growth, with 1.28% in Aeldrum and 1.39% in Alusia. The Shantine lead cosmic population growth, with a consistent rate of above 2.5% the last three years.*