1977

## International

### Oil Crisis Triggers Global Recession

The Alaunus Virus already caused major disruptions to international trade and market stability. However, it was the collapse of the United Province government, and the subsequent F.V.R.C. invasion of the United Province, that caused irreversible disruption to global oil supply. The United Province had acted as a major port of transit and hub for oil shipments from the MPOC countries of Noryeagar, Hofeni, Lahr, and Mauland. Fears of the spread of the Alaunus Virus into MPOC and the disruption caused by potential future F.V.R.C. military activity led to the panicked withdrawal of investors from MPOC oil industries. To compensate, MPOC has announced a dramatic cut in oil production, driving prices up dramatically, and increasing scarcity of petroleum worldwide.

### Tisorzag Protestors Storm Zhordania Square in Capital of Sovagrad

In the seat of imperial government, and capital of the Tisorzag, tens of thousands of protestors have occupied the central Zhordania Square. While their demands vary, all are disaffected by what what is perceived as an oppressive and unresponsive government and Emperor. Most are resentful of growing consumer good costs, and rampant wealth inequality, recently displayed in Emperor Radamov's extravagant celebtration in the city of Banyoles, commemorating the 100 year anniversary of Tisorzag's victory over the Kingdom of Bakia in the battle of Yarotusk (the historic border region). Emperor Radamov has blamed Coalition interference on supporting the protestors, and has promised his armed forces would enact severe punishment against any criminals or rebels. International uncertainty about the stability of the Tisorzag government, a major oil producer, has further exacerbated the oil crisis.

### Augustus Goudjil Elected President of Kalmo

After a massive corruption scandal forced previous president Tom Sankar from office, a snap election as seen Augustus Goudjil, a staunch religious nationalist and member of the Honeker ethnic group, elected President. The 2nd President in Kalmo's post-independence history, Goudjil's government will be a defining metric on the strength of Kalmoian democracy. Despite his nationalist rhetoric, international observers have so far been encouraged by the peacefulness of the presidential transfer of power. Goudjil has promised a revitalization of traditional Kalmo culture, and a greater focus on free market economics, he has promised to maintain Kalmo's membership in COVEC. He has also increased the presence of Kalmo's military on the border with colonial-Tisorzag and publicly supported independence movements within the territory. Rumours about weapon smuggling to insurgents within the colony have emerged, with Tisorzag authorities threatening a harsh response if proved true.

### Southern Alliance forms in Helmand

While it remains loosely organized and largely unofficial, various tribes and militia groups that have gathered in Southern Helmand, with the support of the EAP, have agreed to cooperate together to destabilize Helmand and combat both the drug traffickers and extremist groups the proliferate much of the country. The 4 most notable of the Southern Alliance members are the Union of Holy Justice: a regional religious movement worshiping a version of Orolsi (the Corinite/Ravelian god). The Democratic People's Alliance: a large militia group publicly interested in the formation of Helmand as a democratic liberal country, and most interested in attracting international aid and support. The Wahdat Movement: a tribal and militia group led by Hazzam Wahdat and his familly, primarily concerned with increasing his personal power and that of his family and family's tribe. Finally, the Saberka, an Skalan ethnic militia, made up from the Skalan population native to Southern Helmand.

### AIS Motion Denouncing Invasion of the United Province Introduced

After being introduced by Adamar, a resolution denouncing the FVRC's invasion and calling for the withdrawal of their troops and the deployment of an international humanitarian force has gotten notable support in the AIS assembly, although voting has not yet concluded, and it is seen as guaranteed that the FVRC would prevent it from ever passing the organizing committee.

### AIS Motion for Planetary Body Naming Rights

An FVRC resolution has been introduced proposing to give final naming rights for orbiting bodies in the solar system to whichever country first lands or extensively explores the body in question.

### Bh'mata Petitions for COVEC Membership

Suffering from the global recession, the government of Bh'mata has petitioned the FVRC for COVEC membership. International observers speculate they also hope for military aid in a growing series of skirmishes with Amar.

### Hurricane Ichiyo Devastates Nagharan and Phraeian Coasts

Category 5 Hurricane Ichiyo has struck the Eastern Nagharan and Western Phareian coasts, killing thousands and displacing hundreds of thousands. Humanitarian efforts coordinated by Perinost and Kenshi have quickly responded with food, medicine and other essential goods.

### The Vanguardist Rose Party Assume Power in Waalhem

While formerly a minor municipal and regional power, that rarely held more than a few elected seats, the Vanguardist Rose Party, led by party leader Maxima de Zalm, has formed a provisional government in Waalhem, under the supervision of FVRC-led forces. Though the legitimacy of this government has been largely disputed by many in the United Province and rejected by most of the international community, the de Zalm government has nevertheless coordinated the distribution of humanitarian resources and local government operations. Most conventional FVRC and allied forces activity has ceased as the entirety of the United Province have fallen under FVRC-affiliated control. Newly elected Chairman Rousuf Al'Rakia held a press conference with Maxima de Zalm from the deck of the Aircarrier Polestar announcing 'Mission Accomplished', for the restoration of order and peace in the United Province.

### BVPU Forces Occupy Southern Border with United Province

After claiming a series of anti-vanguardist rocket attacks crossed into their border, and accusing the chaos within the United Province for continuing to spread the Alaunus virus, BVPU forces have occupied much of the border and a sizeable region immediately North of Koulton. Though expressing solidarity with the FVRC and the new Vanguardist Rose Government, this seizure of territory seems to have caught advancing FVRC and allied forces unaware.

### Bakian Republican Announces Redevelopment of Bakian Nuclear Program

While standing in front of a 40ft tall statue of himself that had recently been constructed in Damphire, Gen. Hardtie, stood in front of a collection of nuclear scientists and engineers, and announced a full audit and restoration of the Bakian Republic's nuclear program would be undertaken.

### Getzi Announces the Adoption of "Vanguardist Characteristics"

In a move seen as further integrating itself into the Vanguardist sphere, Getzi has announced the adoption of 'Capitalist Vanguardist Characteristics' emphasizing a focus on secularism, scientism, and meritocracy. The have announced their excitement for the move of the VDB headquarters to Getzi and the appointment of a Getzi President of the VDB.

## Coalition

### Perinost Beings Exploration of Domestic Oil Deposits

In an effort to insulate itself from the recent oil shocks, the Perinosti government has redoubled efforts to expand new oil and gas developments to increase its domestic energy independence. Perinost has already seen a significant recession in many domestic sectors (comparable with much of the rest of the world).

### Drycen and Kenshi Sign Major Naval Procurement Agreement

A large military purchase has been made by the Drycen government, ordering a modern battleship and several other supporting ships from Kenshi. As part of the purchase, Kenshi is granted prefered docking status at Drycen ports. This has been seen as evidence of growing military cooperation and integration with Drycen and the rest of the coalition.

### Boignia Signs Economic Cooperation Agreement with Coalition

The cash strapped Boignian government has agreed to a large Coalition loan and development package in exchange for expanded economic access for Coalition businesses and investment.

### Sanctions Imposed Against the FVRC

In response to the unjustified and illegal invasion of the United Province, Perinost, Kenshi, Dytov, and Aveen have announced a series of sanctions packages against the FVRC, particularly targeting advanced electronics, military equipment and other advanced specialty goods.

## FVRC

### National Election Changes F.V.R.C. Political Landscape

In an unexpected upset the most recent F.V.R.C. Election has seen a paradigm shift in the politics of the semi-democratic republic. Characterized by a stark urban rural divide, opposition candidates from the agrarian-populist Peasant and Farmer's Collective, and the conservative Nationalist party dominating most of the rural countryside. This has been largely been driven by a large surge in citizenship been granted to Peasant and Farmer's Collective (PFC) members in key districts, as well as strategic cooperation between the PFC, the Nationalists, the Cadets, and the Society and Progress Party on prioritizing resources to avoid competing against each other and focusing on districts where each party was strongest against the local vanguardist candidate. Partnership is seen to be closest among the PFC and the Nationalist Party, which have formed a political alliance, agreeing to closely cooperate on political and electoral priorities. The governing party of the CLP-TVP has seen the most dramatic wipeout, retaining only a single seat. For a party that has dominated F.V.R.C. politics since its inception, this has been a stunning and utterly unexpected result for observers. This seems to have been prompted by a general dissatisfaction with the current economic situation, a perceived mishandling of the Savian Vanguardist government, and a prioritization of international affairs, including the recent invasion of the United Province, over domestic concerns, led to an erosion of traditional government support. A dramatic raid by United Province resistance fighters, armed with anti-Intantry mechs, against a lightly armoured F.V.R.C. garrison unit resulted in 87 deaths and 149 wounded, the week before the election, further hurting the popularity of the government. Additionally, urbanization and hostility from many non-Raël locals, have prompted many vanguardist voters to move to urban districts, weakening their voting strength within much of the country. While moderate Vanguardist parties similarly suffered electoral defeats, the Vanguard Internationalist Union (VIU), once a fringe movement of lilac vanguardism, has become the new dominant power in FVRC politics. Recently purged of its Neemanist association, and seen as more competent and proactive by vanguardist voters, it dominated most urban districts. Finally, the liberal bastions of Boulad and Al-Tanail provided a boon to the struggling Cadets and Society and Progress Party. Though locked out of the much of the rest of the country, the two parties are nevertheless now positioned to act as powerful swing votes on contentious legislation.

### Rousuf Al'Rakia Elected Chairman

Though facing an unexpectedly divided assembly, the dominance of the VIU has still led to celebration among party faithful, and ensured Rousuf Al'Rakia selection as the new Chairman of the FVRC. He has promised a more assertive and militaristic vanguardist policy from the FVRC going forward. While seen as the best hope of Lilac vanguardism, he is despised by his opponents as much as he is loved by his supporters. Many anticipate he will have difficulty cooperating with the opposition in the new PFC-Nationalist Alliance.

### Mayor Michel Zaki Begins March for Citizenship

If the 1977 election saw the emergence of Rousuf Al'Rakia as the dominant leader of Vanguardism within the FVRC, it has similarly seen the rise of his most vocal critic, newly elected Mayor of Boulad, Michel Zaki. While his authority as mayor is largely limited to overseeing local ordinances and day to day bureaucratic management, he grown a widespread and devoted public following. Though nominally registered as a vanguardist and holding Raël citizenship, Zaki has described himself as a proponent for significantly expanded Raël citizenship, to include almost all adults over the age of 18, with the exception of those charged with serious crimes or mentally incapable. While largely ignored by state media, Zaki has managed to spread his message both through opposition media as well as international news which has taken a growing interest in the charismatic opposition figure. Following the election, Zaki has promised a 'March for Citizenship' marching to the capital of Tel-Marteen, gathering a following of disenfranchised lilac citizens, to demand the expansion of Raël citizenship.

## Adamar

### Disaster Strikes Lunera Mission

After a rough launch which almost saw the mission skuttled, the crew of Bronn Helvorin, Matts Synnove, and Natasha Ludwiskyi successfully reached orbit and made it to the surface of Lunera, becoming the first Adamaris and second team to set foot the moon (with Natasha Ludwiskyi as the first woman to land on Lunera). The surface mission exceeded expectations, with the location of the landing site having corresponded to an extremely valuable site of minerals and helium-3, as well as an underground cavern complex that would shield future missions from the harsh solar radiation. However, on attempting to return to Al'ard, it was discovered that damage sustained at launch and during landing on Lunera had critically impaired the return module's thruster. The Adamari Lunera mission is currently stranded with no means of escaping the moon, a rescue/resupply mission would need to be launched immediately for the crew to have any hope of survival.

### Adamari-Rassto Ignores Worst of Oil Shocks

The Rassto provinces of Adamar, and to a lesser extent the rest of Northeastern Adamar have weathered the recent oil shocks far better than the global average, due in large part to the growth of the oil industry in the region, with high oil prices spurring a number of well-paying jobs and investment.

### Path of the Cycles - Ravellian Religious Summit held

While not a centralized religion, many prominent leaders from the Ravellian faith have met in Kadamar with Emperor Arkhan and other notable Path of the Cycles religious figures, as well as Gen. Alfphonso Hardtie from the Bakian Republic. Few Ravellian faiths seemed open to including the Adamari Emperors as full gods with a place in their existing pantheons, however, after extensive back and forth many were far more open to ascribing a 'divine status' to dead Emperors. Gen. Hardtie's presence and his occasional rants about his own divine status seemed to make many of the representatives uncomfortable.

### Massive Skalan Corruption and Discrimination Scandal Uncovered

An in-depth investigative report conducted by journalists from the New Edas Times have revealed a massive corruption scandal throughout Adamari-occupied Skalan. Leaked financial documents and security reports detail a type of kleptocratic tributary state, administered by Augustus Karrle, and overseen by friendly Adamari ministers and government officials. Vast amounts of government money from the Golden Ring development program was preferentially awarded to Adamari run companies, or those operated by friends and family of Augustus Karrle, often at a significant markup. Housing and development were prioritized for new ethnic Adamari migrants, with evidence of systemic discrimination against the native Skalan. Racial prejudice has been found to be systemic among many Adamari officials and law enforcement officers, with violent contact with the police hugely disproportionate to the national average.