Foreign Concerns Gazette/Year 448 - 448.5

*Main article: Grand Strategy 1*
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***Breaking the Fever? Powers Convene on Economic Crisis***

**Economic News:**

* "The Big Float" *Imperial nations agree to float their currencies: debt denomination arrangements, Celestial Exchange and key gold compensation instrument, Ducat Inflation Protected Bond (DIP Bond), poise Aeldman ducat as a central currency in new cosmic monetary order.*
	+ "All the gold in the cosmos" *Aeldrum, Alusia commit to 4,000 and 6,000 face value of DIP bond issuance respectively. Aeldrum issues DIPs through Sermayan partners, Alusia to issue DIPs to Shantine Empire; Sermaye and Bishant may then re-sell.*
* "Back on Course" *Prince Armalos of Thalranese Marches announces return to economic normalcy, though estimates of GDP/capita remain down 10% from peak.*
	+ "Flush with Cash" *Landmark cash deal for emancipation of Thalranese slaves sees Marches with money to burn – Thalranese buy DIPs, ships.*
* "The Race to Beat Inflation" *International Demand for Instruments, Factories burgeons as economists forecast inflation to correct monetary shortages in Aeldrum, Alusia could exceed 15% in first year.*
* "Backlogged" *Demand for Alusian factories soars as government rush to liquidate currency holdings ahead of currency float. Inflation-protected contracts and asset swaps dominate deals, as Alusian backlog exceeds 18 months: Bishant, Sermaye and Orcish Directorate dominate orders.*
	+ "Standardized Catalogue" *published pricing schedules for Alusian factories find many high-volume takers on short-run contracts, in preference to long-run smaller-throughput arrangements.*
* "Selling the Golden Goose" *Alusian Factory Diplomacy includes granting Factory-Factories; two direct sales to Imperium inked, F2 endowment for Alusia, F2 to be sited in Deutschreich and negotiations reported for F2 supply chain integration in Fialta Union.*
* "The Flood Gates Broken" *Druz anticipates enormous economic gains from expanded international trade, as clan-based economic model will be able to satisfy international demand. King Gunnar declares,* "We will not have to face the unthinkable compromise of making a dwarf work in a profession other than the one of which he is a master."
* "Mass Mechanization" *Across the cosmos, labor-saving technologies suggest new economic vision*
	+ "A Thresher on Every Estate" *Shantine outlays for agricultural equipment expected to exceed 1300 economic units this year, with industrial capital goods imported to employ population estimated to exceed 2000 economic units of value.*
	+ "The Mechatronic Factory" *Ambitious collaboration of Ursa Arms Consortium, Nebai Industries and Aeldrum Mechatronics Corporation sees widespread automation of arms, munitions and other military supply factories.*
* "Late to the Game, First to the Finish" *One year after purchasing technology from Serene Duchy of Aeldrum, Republic of Sermaye announces it is on course for completion of infrastructure projects that will supply 90% Hotspot coverage to Sermayan citizens.*
* "Going Full Guns" *Sermayean state outlays quadruple on factory purchases, infrastructure projects, DIP bond brokerage. Saldanese economist Willard Bernat* "This represents a very major bet for the Sermayean state, and an enormous amount of private sector money has doubled or tripled down on the state's wager"
* "A Golden Gate to the Walled Garden" *Proposed Celestial Currency Exchange will trade ducats for gold-backed notes to sustain gold-standard Celestial commerce.*
* "Cosmic Trade League" *ToSTA consortium now covers almost all Imperial powers, representing unprecedented degree of economic interconnection and commercial liberalization.*
* "Joining the Cosmos" *ethernet link in former Shantaran Free State completed.*
* "Downpayment" *Fialta Imperium doubles sovereign debt to cover expenses of emancipation within territory. Rumors of lingering budget deficit.*
* "Pulling a Profit!" *Aeldman ethernet construction in Celestial Space moves toward for-profit contracts, with promised constructions for trade concession completed.*
* "Treasury 0" *Serene Duchy of Aeldrum continues empty-treasury policy, relying on debt to finance aggressive economic solutions.*
	+ "Imports and Internal Mobility" *Estimates of 100 million Celestial workers and at least 10 million colonial ASpire-program participants as private and public solutions to Aeldman labor shortage kick into overdrive.*
	+ "Taxing the Industrial-State Cooperative" *Aeldman Parliament votes to raise taxes 5% on "ISC" programs. Deep entanglement of industry with state underpins "*maximum revenue for minimum economic impact*" policy.*
	+ "Rebalancing the Economy" *Enormous Aeldman fiscal outlays on low-interest loans for sectors disfavored by distortive effects of Industrial-State Cooperatives.*
* "New Leadership" *Alusian state sees new Minister of Finance, Marina Nueva cer Puertos, a cousin of the Empress, come to forefront with wide variety of economic measures.*
	+ "Corrections" *Alusian trade policies reduces imports, dragging on supply chains and economic performance to bring down trade deficit.*
	+ "Spend Everything We Have" *As currency deficit threatens to drag down Alusian economy before currency float can be achieved, substantial Alusian foreign exchange inflows from factory sales totally disbursed to wider economy through low-cost loans.*

**International Relations and Affairs:**

* "Ready to Meet the Cosmos" *Deutschreich agrees to establish special economic zone open to cosmic commerce, with Alusia as key bilateral partner. Deutschreich-Alusia economic zone will represent 20% of Deutschreich GDP at time of agreement, though anticipated Alusian F2 placement could increase productivity of region by more than a third.*
* "Hitching to the Wild Ride" *Sermaye, Aeldrum ink economic integration program to allow workers, merchants, investors to pass between countries. Speculation that Sermayean firms may be able to participate in Aeldman Celestial Trade through mergers with Aeldman-headquartered firms.*
* "Summit at Sevalne" *International fiscal summit at Sermayan world of Sevalne represents broadest gathering of international representatives in known history, with diplomats from every independent Imperial state. Omnibus treaty reflects diverse threads of international diplomacy tied together by urgency of monetary crisis and strong Aeldman-Alusian diplomatic bloc.*
	+ "Early Emancipation" *Shantine Empress presses for early emancipation of Thalranese slaves, paying estimated 34% above remaining obligations to liberate slaves three years early. Alusians offset remaining obligations by promising additional factories to Shantine, and premium for early emancipation* *covered by Bank of Valdos liquidations in Shantine territory.*
	+ "Everyone has their price" *DIP contracts, factory orders, debt forgiveness, all figure among demands of states to take the plunge on a floating currency. No takers from Celestial Space.*
* "Legal Recognition" *Bank of Valdos receives legal recognition, protection from reprisals for bilateral investment, across Imperial space.*
	+ "Open for Investment!" *Alusia extends hand of business cooperation to Valdosian Bank, mere year after expropriation of Valdosian investments under Alusian State Owned Enterprise.*
	+ "You Can Stay, For Now" *Shantine recognize Valdosian presence in their territories: Valdosians receive operating rights in return for liquidating one quarter stake in payment to Empress; Shantine reserve right to purchase remaining Valdosian assets in territory at fair market prices.*
* "Mutual WHAT Pact?" *Announcement of negotiations between Fialta Imperium and Empire of Alusian to establish mutual defense pact prompt sharp remarks, surprise from Shantine, Aeldman governments. Mutual defense agreement shelved with successful Sevalne Treaty, reportedly on strength of Article 1 recognizing territorial integrity and Article 2 providing sanctions for wars of aggression.*
* "We have concluded that Alusia and her partners in our country acted indiscreetly but not improperly" *Deutschreich government successfully forms parliamentary coalition, no charges filed in political corruption scandal.*
* "The Understanding Between Two Republics is a Sacred One" *Sermayan Council President warmly praises new partners in Serene Duchy of Aeldrum.*
* "Just Six Months After Death of Doge Bareth, a Tense Atmosphere" *Strict security measures at the Sevalne Summity give looming reminder of grizzly calamity at Tar'Thalran.*
	+ "Power Projection" *Rumors surround cadre of bodyguards surrounding Serene Doge Guillarme at Sevalne:* "Every last one of them was a psionic, and a strong one at that – our guy said it was like looking directly into headlights" *off-record remarks from foreign diplomats converge on psionic theory, emphasize unusual appearance and uncertain national origin* "maybe they were Aeldman colonists or Veranian."

**Military, Criminal and Disaster News:**

* "Monopsony" *Aeldman intermediaries buy up hundreds of Fialta naval wrecks from Thalranese state and privateers. Other foreign buyers reportedly find little luck.*
* "Rebuilding the Fleet" *Thalranese Marches put large payments into recruiting large raider fleet to replace losses from hastily assembled fleet lost at Battle of Marivan.*
	+ "Upgrading for the Next War" *Marches sign contract with Alusia for construction of a shipyard to supply warships to Thalranese lords.*
* "I am the Grand Master Now" *After reports of brief internal dispute, Knights of Adarnum anoint new Grand Master, Arren Kane, second son of wealthy Kane dynasty of Brumaire and highly commended senior commander of KoA operations in Zanevuela campaign.*
* "Panic at the Café" *Desperate Cafe Owners Across Aeldrum Scramble to Resolve Mass Corruption of Servers as "Virus" Infects Aeldman Cafes*
	+ "Are the Banks Safe?" *Panic in Aeldman Financial Markets As Virus Compromises Infrastructure*
	+ "Online Crusade?" *Evidence of KoA Involvement in Virtual Attack on Aeldman Infrastructure: Official Sources State On Background that "*Tools, Practices of Ethernet Infiltration Point At KoA Technology" *Aeldman state silent on origins, asserts* "We are considering all possible explanations."
* "Death to Traitors" *Prince Ymres of Konira gunned down by Fialta militia in drive-by shooting hours after public conversion to Kirvanism. As guards surround dying Ymres, jeers from crowd,* "See if Kirva really wants you, you [expletive]". *Sixteen assassination attempts on Princes and senior officials who convert to Kirvanism in two weeks, killing Princes Ymres and Andares, twelve government officials and dozens of bystanders.*

**Culture and General Interest:**

* "We're working on some wild [expletive]" *hot mic at academic panel on Saldan suggests exciting breakthroughs in etherics.*
* "How to Manage a Factory" *Alusian Empress Illyana pens, distributes management manual for production standardization; early readers praise lucid style, accessible diagrams.*
* "A Real Constitution" *Fialta Imperium unveils new Constitution, establishing clear succession rules, solidifying position of Imperial Court, formalizing rights of the Emperor, integration Princes of the Imperium into political process.*
	+ "In the Background" *Church of Dalthad and Bank of Valdos reserve powerful positions of assent or appointment over court ministers but church leaders do not have guaranteed direct posts on Imperial council: Valdosian Chairwoman Filiki cedes court post to new Treasury Minister, Andrella.*
	+ "Bygone Bygones?" *Fialta Court includes coup leader Grand Admiral Tenebrius and initial Asterion loyalists, Grand Marshal Cato and Fialta Security Bureau Director Octavia.*
	+ "Inaugural Delegates" *Prince Symeon (Dalthadi) and Prince Martellus (Secular/Unaffiliated) stand as first representatives of Fialta Princes to Imperial Court, give their assent to Fialta Constitution and take seats.*
* "The Court of Splendors" *Prince of Yushan gives guided tour of his palace gardens and Hall of Marvels in fifteen-reel documentary film, distributed internationally and mandated to play continuously on theater screens in Yushan. Foreign commentators praise the breadth of the collection and the Prince's expertise. Regime critic writes,* "His Majesty's beard grows before your very eyes, which has the virtue of being slightly more interesting than watching the grass grow in the background and considerably more interesting than the three-hour digression into the different varieties of crystal which no ordinary subject of His Majesty will ever afford" *disappears shortly after.*
* "You Got Your War, We Got Your Economic Collapse " *Criticism of Aeldman government mounts on ethernet as war cost, profits stack up against inflation*
	+ "First Great Challenge" *Success of monetary float widely believed to be definitive in political viability of Montreal administration, with general election and Parliamentary vote for Serene Doge just two years away.*
* "Why are we so short on gold if Alusia has been running such a heavy export model?" *Alusian civil servant censured by managers for pamphlet alleging irregularities in Alusian trade accounting.*
* "A Different Economic Vision" *Aeldman state leaders outline elaborations, changes to historic economic policy. Serene Doge Guillarme touts taxes that hurt his own bottom line, sells an Industrial-State model that is an engine for the economy and the state, but one which will not burn everything else to keep going.*
	+ "We're Fixing It!" *Luvelath lays out case for Aeldman economic policy, praises cabinet's joint solutions.*
	+ "Celestials are Alright by Me" *Guillarme hosts social gatherings, shakes hands with Celestial workers to promote cultural harmony.* "The more hard working people we bring to Aeldrum, the more this economy can grow."
* "Cabinet and Party Reshuffling" *Serene Doge Guillarme reshuffles the Bareth cabinet.*
	+ "Back in from the Cold" *Count Sevrar Orvhim, controversial Aeldman Chief of Intelligence during First Coalition War, tapped by Guillarme as Chairman of the Conservative Party and named Chief of Staff to the Doge.*
	+ "War Buddies" *Longtime Montreal loyalists and veterans of the First Coalition War, Col. du Monde, Maj. Grall, Commo. Lazarus and Col. Dr. Iz follow "General Guillarme" to senior ministry positions.*
	+ "The Old Guard" *Count Solaire, Monsieur Emiir and Madame Nebai keep their positions as senior cabinet officials.*
	+ "Two Pillars of Foreign Policy" *Guillarme names Minister for Imperial Affairs and Minister for Celestial Affairs as co-equal cabinet posts, formally dividing functions of Foreign Affairs ministry.*
	+ "Dealt Out" *Senior Aefendt intelligence officials moved under direct purview of Count Solaire. Aefendt-era Conservative leadership gives ground to Guillarme and Luvelath allies. Iz and Lazarus take state-reserved board positions in Mossag Industries.*
	+ "Luvelaths in Government" *Ambitious funding of new programs in Core and Colonies sees old political allies of Doge Sinvas Luvelath of Neveth filling junionr ministerial ranks.*
	+ "A Rogues' Gallery" *Reform Party Leader Jill Fermal Decries Montreal Cabinet.* "Are we surprised that the most corrupt minister of the Aefendt administration has populated his cabinet with murderers and jackbooted enforcers? Are we surprised his answer to Doge Luvelath's challenge was to buy him off with billions of ducats of public money for colonial moneypits?"
* "Give that Money to the People!" *People's Freedom Front in Aeldman colonies demands that half of funding to Colonial Commissioner's office be dispersed to locally elected "community councils"*
* "Real Estate Deal" *Academy of Saldan Executive Board buys up all property on a small planet, relocates inhabitants.*
* "5 Year Plan March" *Alusian musician presents musical composition celebrating success of Five Year Plan to state cultural ministry, claims composition includes themes and instruments from every Alusian administrative sector and major faith, with words in the ten most common languages, all praising the virtues of purposeful work.*
* "International Mission for Kirva" *Shantine Kirvan Church Announces Missionary Program for Displaced Youth in Shantine Empire. Key destinations include major abbeys on Zanevuela, to "*welcome our new brothers and sisters to the Empire", *and abroad on Reilla and Chelonia.*
* "The Quixotic Q" *Videos start circulating in Shantine ethernet of a man attacking one of the new automated threshers in Shantine with an electric lance as part of an elaborate stunt to call to the attention of unemployed agricultural workers in Shantine space.*
	+ "What Unemployment?" *Shantine Lords Question Quixotic Q -- "Who would think the serfs would ever feel overburdened by leisure?"*
	+ "We Were Happy on the Land!" *Peasants protest loss of livelihood to machines, speak to inspiring example of "Q".*
* "F in the Chat" *New ethercast series on Aeldnet centers on mysterious figure "F" who claims to be the personal secretary of the former Emperor Asterion. F threatens to release a massive file dump over the Ethercafe chats.*
* "Tithing Rights" *Alusia grants tithing rights to major churches of Interfaith Council: churches may tithe up to 4% from worshippers provided that half of tithing revenue is spent of programs coordinated with Alusian state.*
	+ "Kirvan Migrants" *Kirvan Church helps Alusia pay Thalranese Marches for every Kirvan immigrant allowed to pass through Del'Mar checkpoint.*
	+ "Shelter and Hope" *Idolmarite funds to be directed toward church-run hospital network, integrated into ambitious Alusian healthcare expansion.*
* "Interfaith Dialogue" *Pentacle-Kirvan Bonds Established in Alusia in State Media Campaign "*The Partition Required the Gods to Work Together*"*
	+ *Jan the Baptist Excoriates Pentacle in Lengthy OnlyFlames Sermons, rebroadcast in Aeldrum and Alusia. Patriarch Jan protests proposed rapprochement and integration with Pentacle worshippers in Alusia, Bishant.* "The Pentacle are not your friends, they are Kirvan slavers who should not be trusted or cooperated with. The evil of their enslavement of Kirvans will not soon be forgotten."
	+ "Alusians are one people. Just as Alusian Kirvans are your friends and not radicals that slaughtered Zanevuelan civilians, Alusian Pentacle worshippers are not slavers - they are your fellow emancipator" *Patriarch Jan's Statements Bookended in Alusian Media by Patriarch of Ahlam's Speech Condemning Violence, and Followed by Oration from Minister Marina cer Puertos*
		- *"*Community and Mercy are the Kirvan Virtues that Defined Alusia in Its Early History*" Patriarch of Ahlam Gives Historical Lecture on Tolerance, Kirvan Roots of Alusian Values.*
		- "Only a fool considers an armed Fialta a civilian! And we all know there's no such thing as an unarmed Fialta!" *Preacher Metaxes riffs on recording of Alusian media response to Jan on big-screen projector at Zanevuela in rally of tens of thousands of partisans after two-hour military-style drill session.* "One people! They want Kirvans no different from the hellspawned slave-driving heirs of the Arch Traitor Thalran! Any depredation, as long as they all obey – brothers and sisters, that sounds like Dalthad and Valdos to me!" *The rally concluded with a show of hands of attendees who had personally slain a Fialta.* "You are the Hands of Kirva's Deliverance"
* "The Show is In Town" *After year in Kingdom of Veran gathering talent, Shantine-Sermayan impresario debuts* "Musical of the Mystical" *show at Pin-Jump.*
* "Putting the Act to the Test" *Half-orc Aeldman citizen lodges claim to title of late Baron Levalle, arguing late father's elvish status entitles him to elvish status and makes him first in line through his mother to the Levalle title.*
* "Divine Guidance" '*Occult Eminence" Abdul Al'Hazred of Aeldrum publishes tract on "*divine embodiment*" of Noloth by Aeldman parliament "*Through Her Will, the Legislation is Woven*"*
	+ "Noloth Embraces Us All… But Do We All Embrace Her?" *Estimates that more than 5 percent of Aeldman populace may profess worship of Church of Spires by end of year. Spirism or Noloth-worship would, at such a rate of participation, approach the footprint of Dalthadism.*
* "They really do follow you around the room" *Exposition on Semal of* "Faces That Have Known" *receives tens of thousands of visitors, after years in regulatory limbo and a special dispensation from Governor Raisel. Photographs, sketches by avant-guard artist Byron Pirchfellow showcase those who have had experiences with the occult or "impossible." Empty frames, whose photographs were too sensitive to be allowed for public view, provoke audiences with titles like,* "His Tongue Burned When He Spoke The Name", and "The Book Her Dreams Dictated to Her." *Private collector purchases* "Portrait of a Slim Constable" and "The Experience at the Prison Yard" *within first day of exposition for unregistered sum.*
* "Tolerance for me, but not for thee?" *Shantine policy, international focus on finance sparks criticism from Church of Dalthad.*
	+ "Pentacle worship is a private matter" *Shantine Empress extends prohibition on public Pentacle worship to newly annexed territories, forbids construction or maintenance of Pentacle religious buildings.*
		- "Fialta Dignity Will Not Come Cheap" *Grand Captain Mirbus of Fialta Militia issues ethernet broadcast exhorting Fialta under Shantine jurisdiction to practice Pentacle worship openly, display religious iconography.* "Do it Loud, Proud and Armed."
	+ "Conversions Encouraged" *Fialta Princes who convert to Kirvanism are granted aristocratic titles within Shantine Empire and retain much of their political status. Shantine introduce conversion incentives for masses, from abbey-based aid to lotteries and land grants.*
	+ "A Disappointing Day for Religious Tolerance" *Fialta Bakken declines to sign on to the Treaty of Sermaye over a lack of formal protections for Pentacle worshippers in territory brought under Shantine control in the aftermath of the Second Coalition War.* "The Fialta Imperium was asked to respect the rights of Kirvans to freely worship in the Treaty of Saldan. The Church of Dalthad has been consistent in following through on these promises by advocating for Kirvans to be appointed to the highest levels of government, investing in the human capital of freed Kirvan slaves, and celebrating the contributions that Kirvans have made to the Imperium. We've done all this despite continued religious extremism in the form of hateful rhetoric and deadly violence. It is extremely disappointing to the Church that the right to freely worship without fear of sanction or interference by Her Imperial Majesty's Government was not extended to the Pentacle faithful in territories it newly controls through the Treaty. While the honeyed words of the Empress at the Summit show that there is hope for change in the future, they alone will not sweeten the bitter rhetoric the Patriarchs have spewed for years. Dalthadis everywhere look forward to rectifying this tragic oversight of the Summit as part of ongoing dialogue with - and actions taken by - those of all faiths who truly believe in the right to freely worship."