The Dispatch: News from the Commandry

[Calidia]

Royal Office of External Affairs
Council for Democracy and Justice

We find ourselves in agreement with the Kryobaijani government on this matter. The latest mobilization of the Kyivan reservists is a provocation very unsuited so close to the Polatsk incident.

 

[Caelia]

THE DISPATCH
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Generalissimus Brushes off Criticism of Drill

Generalissimus of the Commandry Vasyl Tarassenko had a few choice words for international critics of the recent CGF mobilization drill, telling reporters at a press conference: "[International criticisms of CGF drills] are simply invalid. Self defense is the inalienable right of every sovereign state and it is impossible to defend ourselves if we do not periodically test those capabilities. Unlike it's neighbours the Commandry has never posed a threat to international peace. If you wish to find a threat I suggest you look to the Empire of Oikawa, the single greatest threat to peace in Europe for over sixty years."

Freiheit "discovers" Nuclear Warheads, AEC Not Amused

The Atomic Energy Corps of the Commandry Civil Force, the sole authority on nuclear technology in the Commandy which can trace it's lineage back to the inventors of the nuclear bomb, was far from impressed by recent news Freiheit had stumbled upon a cache of nuclear warheads. Vice Commander of the AEC General-Polkovnik Vyacheslav Senkivskyi told the Dispatch: "This discovery raises many questions, none of which inspire confidence in Freiheit's competence when dealing with this technology. Where did these these weapons come from? How were they lost? Why were they lost? How do we know it won't happen again? Even a single nuclear weapon falling into the wrong hands would be a disaster. Knowing this it is the opinion of the AEC that Freiheit should not be permitted to possess nuclear technology."

Well the AEC might not be the final voice in the Commandry's foreign affairs their assessment is certain to carry weight in the SHC, particularly as they are saying what many are bound to be thinking. It is not clear either what if anything the Commandry would do about Freiheit even if it choses to condemn Freiheits possession of nuclear weaponry. Historically the SHC has adhered to a non-interventionist foreign policy that if adhered to would limit possible responses, at least openly.

Headlines
Commandry reportedly petitions CoN for admission. More on this late-breaking news as it develops.

 

[Caelia]

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Officers Meet with Kypchak Tribal Leaders

As the Khazar seperatist insurgency drags on, top-ranking officers representing the SHC and Armed Forces met with key Kypchak tribal leaders. Both the precise location of the meeting and identities of those involved have not been disclosed. An SHC spokesman however told reporters that the meeting represented a breakthrough for the Armed Forces in their struggle against separatist fighters.

The number of Kypchak nomads, both as a percentage of the Kypchak population and in absolute numbers, has been declining steadily for decades. Despite this Kypchak nomads represent a key component of the battle against separatism. They have traditionally ranged across both the Khazar Special Administrative Region (KSAR) and Kypchak Administrative Region (KAR). It is those nomads in the KSAR that the Armed Forces are making an effort to court. Traditionally at odds with the Khazars they have proved supportive of the Armed Forces in the battle, an alliance the Generalissimus hopes to cement further.

Kypchak nomads have traditionally been exempted from conscription. Despite this Kypchak fighters have fought side-by-side with Commandry troops in the KSAR against Khazar separatists. Their mastery of the nomadic lifestyle enables them to keep pace with fast moving Khazar mounted fighters who's rapid movement have made them experts at confounding the Commandry's own pursuit attempts. Just as critically they have provided a continuous stream of invaluable human intelligence on Khazar nomads (understood to be one of the core's of the separatist insurgency) that has, according to the SHC, allowed Commandry forces to outmaneuver the Khazars on multiple occasions.

Well it is not clear what the Kypchak leaders might have asked in exchange for their support, what is clear is that alliance between the Kypchaks and the Armed Forces has reaped enormous boons for both sides.

Headlines
CCF "concerned" about rising instances of bride kidnapping in Kypchak Administrative Region.
National Resources Conference kicks off in Yakutsk.

 

[Caelia]

THE DISPATCH
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CoN Denies Commandry Application, Generalissimus Vows Payback

What was to be a historic outreach has ended in disaster. With little fanfare the Commandry quietly submitted a historic application to the Council of Nations, an organization it had effectively ignored for almost 60 years. Director of the Foreign Affairs Directorate Vassilii Malyar told The Dispatch: "When the Council was founded the then Communist government made the decision to ignore the council on the grounds it was founded in part by it's enemies in the Great War. That policy had been upheld through the entire Communist regime and until recently by the Commandry as well. We made the decision to apply to the Council as an outreach to the international community."

A decision it would seem that was premature. Early voting seemed to be going well with most security council nations voting in the Commandry's favor. That is until a last minute veto by our longtime imperial nemesis brought the preceding to a crashing halt. The Director of Public Information was scathing: "The vetoing of the Commandry's admission to the Council of Nations should not be taken as a rogue action of the Oikawan Empire. Oikawa as a permanent member of the Security Council is empowered by the structure of the Council itself. This should be recognized as what it is, a direct assault on the sovereignty and legitimacy of our great nation by the Council at the behest of the international political class! We are yet another victim of the Council's ongoing campaign to marginalize the nations of Sarmatia."

The furor was enough to prompt an unexpected late day appearance by the Generalissimus himself who told the press: "The Council cannot deny our existence. We are a sovereign nation and a proud peoples and we will not tolerate this insult. Sarmatia will not tolerate this insult. The Council and those behind it will be brought to account. This much I am certain."

Headlines
Though CoN application was not well publicized the Commandry's netizens reacted with anger to the news. The Councils homepage was briefly defaced by unidentified pro-Slavian hackers this morning.
SHC says possible reallocation of forces to occur in near future to account for government shift in Cassiopeia.

 

[Hesperia]

Diwan of Foreign Affairs

The Sultanate assures Kyiv that it has done all in its power to bring the Commandry into the Council of Nations. We did not operate against this principle.

The Secretary-General of the Council of Nations

I wish to assure the Government of Kyiv that the Council of Nations has never acted against its interests and will never do so. The unfortunate events of yesterday cannot be blamed on the Organization, and it has never acted against the interests of any of its member states, not those in Sarmatia, not anywhere. Nevertheless, I assure the Kyivan Government that the Organization will do all it can to allow Kyiv to take part in the maintenance of peace, order and stability in the international environment.

Signed,

Sheikh Muhammad ibn Haytham al-Mashriqi
Secretary-General of the Council of Nations

 

[Telora]

State Department
Encrypted

Though not members of the CoN, we support Kyivan membership as necessary to ensure as full a preponderance of power behind the CoN in its security role. We offer the Kyivan government our diplomatic support in offering a second bid for membership in the near future, once we have gained admission to the Council.

 

[Beautancus]

Secretariat of State, Office of Administration and External Affairs

As has been the case more times than anyone in either of our two brother-nations might have expected even a year ago, we stand in complete solidarity with the Commandry of Kyiv and Novgorod in their righteous fury at this most outrageous denial of a voice on the international stage. Though this government has come to view membership in the all but defunct Council of Nations as truly inconsequential, we still cannot abide this insult, and will not suffer it to stand.

Doctor Jozef Kościałkowsky

Secretary of State, Greater Sarmatia

 

[Thaumantica]

Herald for the Union

A vote of ill confidence to the Commandry is in turn a vote in the negative towards Životinje. This sentiment will reflect in our voting and debate participation within the Council from here on, to the point where our Ambassador to the Council wishes to request an advisor or associate to accompany him in Augsburg. This outreach from the Militant Republic of Životinje cannot of course be enough to settle discontent, though let it at least resonate in the Commandry that this was one instance of many to come where the Union had its best interests in mind.

We shall leave the wining and dining of the Commandry of Kyiv and Novgorod to Większy Sarmatska, Vittoria, and Oltremare. Životinje will let its public action and verbal support do what a private gathering might do at the expense of the tax payer.

Freedom First,
Bojnik Konavle,
Herald for the Union

 

[Confederal Republics]

Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of Anbat

The Republic of Anbat wishes to echo its Hajri allies and other members of the international community in extending honest assurances that the Republic of Anbat would have also welcomed the sight of the Kyivans in the Council's halls, and wishes to state its belief that the Council as a whole holds nothing against Sarmatia.

Regards,
Mr. Mikheil Khoury,
Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of Anbat

 

[Caelia]

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Editorial: The Strategic Implications of Detente with Cassiopeia
By Podpolkovnik Vanko Gerashenko

A new era is dawning in Sarmatia. What was once unthinkable is now undeniable, the Commandry and Cassiopeia are moving closer together. That we could find common ground with our former ancient rival, Great War opponent and arch-enemys lapdog would be a laughable thought even a year ago. But now it is reality.

Virtually all the credit for this unprecedented diplomatic reversal goes to the Cassiopeian Prince Mniszech who has more or less singlehandedly toppled the Oikawan puppet regime in Cassiopeia and set out to forge a new power in Sarmatia. Well the full implications of the dramatic shift are still being felt no matter what happens one thing is almost certain: For the first time in living memory the Commandry will not be surrounded by openly hostile powers. Fully exploring the political, economic, social implications and military of this change could fill many volumes so it is the last one I will focus on here.

The most direct development is the threat reduction on the western border. We no longer face the threat of a massive LFS assault across the entire breadth of our western frontier but instead only across the border directly opposed to the Oikawan empire in the southwest. The armed forces are now free to reorient many of the forces once positioned for war with Cassiopeia towards the Oikawans. This is not the end of it though. Cassiopeia was considered a major component of the LFS war machine. It's large mechanized force and geographic proximity mean't it would likely have borne the brunt of the war against the Commandry well the Oikawan Empire and the rest of the LFS mobilized it's massive reserve potential. Even worse once those reserves begin to enter the field the Commandry would be trapped defending a massive front no matter how the early phases went.

Now however we see a much more favourable situation. The Commandry's force concentration has increased considerably well the LFS's has remained essentially unchanged. The ratio of forces available for immediate combat has swung well towards the Commandry. And absolute size of LFS forces have dropped with no change for the Commandry. No matter how you evaluate it the Commandry-LFS military balance has been dramatically altered, and ever alteration is in our favor.

The balance of forces is not the whole story however. For decades the Commandry lived with the reality that in the event of war we would be cut off. Already isolated on land in war LFS maritime power would cut the sea routes that connect us to Europe leaving us entirely stranded. The potential for severe shortages of food, raw materials and manufactured goods in the event of a protracted war has been a nightmare for military and industrial planners. Now we have an opportunity to put to rest that fear. Relations with the new Cassiopeia are still in their embryonic stage and the borders remain sealed. The Armed Forces should make every effort to remedy this holdover and establish regular commerce with our neighbour. Doing we could break the LFS stranglehold forever and leave the empire no way to cut us off short of attacking Cassiopeia, a move which would yield them scarce benefit.

Looking farther there has been much speculation in the press and across the internet on the creation of a grand Sarmatian alliance stretching from the Commandry to Sidajica. Well it is impossible to judge the feasibility of such speculation at present the military implications are worth considering. The possibility of inflicting on the Oikawan empire what it long inflicted on us is certainly appealing on many levels and the formation of such an alliance could mean a permanent shift in the military balance away from the empire. Defending it's enormous northern border would stretch Oikawan forces to the limit and open an enormous number of possible attack avenues for Commandry armor. Neither working in the empires favor would be it's often tenous grip on it's many colonies where any war would occur.

However things develop from here one thing is certain: The revolution is Cassiopeia marks a new chapter in Commandry foreign policy and a chance to finally break free from the LFS blockade. This is an opportunity we must not waste.

Podpolkovnik of Aviation (ret.) Vanko Gerashenko is an independent consultant specializing in defense and foreign affairs.

Opinions expressed in editorials are the product of third parties and do not necessarily reflect those of The Dispatch, the Public Information Directorate or our sponsors.

Headlines
CoN diplomatic row continues as Foreign Affairs Directorate brushes off appeal by the councils secretary general and again denounces council as "Fundamentally anti-Slavian and anti-Sarmatian".

 

[Caelia]

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SHC Orders Navy to Sinhai

The Supreme High Command caught many off-guard when it announced today it had ordered a naval task force led by the carrier Veliky Novgorod to secure the waters of the Eastern Ocean near Sinhai. An SHC spokesman described the rational behind the move: "The past days have seen a precipitous rise the tension between Sinhai, Vangala and Carentania centered on the waters off Sinhai's coast. These waters are a vital strategic shipping lane to the Commandry and we cannot allow them to be disrupted."

Commander-in-chief of the Foreign Affairs Directorate General-Feldmarschall Vasili Malyar later weighed in on the issue with a strongly worded warning: "The dispute between Vangala, Carentania and Sinhai does not concern us. We will not however tolerate any nation attempting to turn the Eastern Sea into a battleground, any vessel foolish enough to fire first will be sent to the bottom without hesitation."

The Armed Forces decision to take a leading role in the conflict has surprised many observers. During the previous Batavie crisis the Commandry sent only a small submarine force in reaction to the deployment of a large LFS carrier force. By seizing the initiative in this conflict the SHC overturns decades of precedent favouring non-interference.

We will have more on this as it develops.

Headlines
N/A

 

[Caelia]

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SHC Warns: Foreign Intervention in Boluxia will not be Tolerated

A stern warning was sent out today by the Supreme High Command when they stated unambiguously that any attempt at foreign involvement in the Boluxian civil war would be considered an act of war by the Commandry. Commander-in-Chief of the Commandry Ground Forces, Marshal of the Commandry Serguei Murza, told reporters that: "The Commandry considers Boluxia to be a location of key strategic interest. No foreign encroachment will be tolerated regardless of motive or political ideology. We are prepared to back this assertion with unlimited force."

The SHC's warnings are largely believed to be directed towards Carentania, Cortona and Volga which have indicated they might intervene in the struggle between the USSB and FRB. It is not difficult to discern the SHC's motivations for issuing such a harsh declaration, Boluxia is situated directly in the strategic waters of the Eastern Ocean and perilously close to the Commandry's primary ice-free shipping lanes. Any foreign power that gained a foothold there would be perfectly positioned to threaten vital maritime traffic, a development the SHC could hardly be expected to tolerate.

By the same token though ongoing instability in Boluxia could also end up posing a threat to the Commandry's economic well-being. The SHC is also thought to be on top of this as early reports from the Foreign Affairs Directorate indicate the Commandry has extended an offer to provide neutral ground for negotiations between the USSB and FRB with the aim of bringing a negotiated end to the conflict. There has no been no word of a Boluxian response to the offer.

Analysts say that no matter how the Boluxians respond to the Commandry's offer the SHC will not allow the conflict to fester. One retired CGF brigade commander, speaking anonymously, told the dispatch: "You don't need a fancy degree to understand this conflict will not be allowed to continue. If the Boluxians spurn the SHC's offer to meet at the table I wouldn't be surprised to see CAAF paratroopers over Fort Alexei."

Headlines
Slavian admirers of the late Cassiopeian Prince Mniszech create memorial page on popular social networking site. Public Information Directorate say they have taken the situation "under advisement".

 

[Cortona]

Cortonan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

We feel it necessary to elaborate on our commitment to Boluxia. We are getting involved because there is a significant minority that has rejected the socialist regime to the extent they feel they need to take action. Initially, we would have left the situation to the nation to deal with themselves, and even now we are to an extent.

However, when Carentania and Volga intervened on the support of the Socialists, we felt it absolutely necessary to pledge our support to the minority. Our military invention would only happen if foreign intervention on the side of the Socialists was made in the intent to force the capitalists to capitulate. The Socialists' willingness to peacefully resolve the solution has pleased the nation, we are confident that military intervention will not be necessary.

If things go unfavorably, we guarantee that Cortona has no interest in hindering SHC's trade routes.

Signed,
Cortonan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Firenze, Cortona

 

[Caelia]

Directorate of Foreign Affairs

We will not allow Cortona, or any other foreign power, to interfere in Boluxia under any circumstances. Any attempt to do so will be viewed without exception as an act of war.

 

[Cortona]

Cortonan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

We do not wish to be involved in any form of conflict, but we have made a commitment in Boluxia and it is a commitment we will be keeping. We are hoping that the negotiations between the two sides will end any threats of conflict.

Signed,
Cortonan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Firenze, Cortona

 

[Caelia]

Directorate of Foreign Affairs

Cortona's commitment is empty because as you do not possess the power to enforce it. What you send to Boluxia we will destroy. Boluxia is of no concern to Cortona, recognize your place in Europe and do not attempt to meddle in the affairs of others. A nation of Himyar has no stake here.

If you are truly concerned about the Communists designs then there is still nothing to fear. They are no more capable of intervening in Boluxia than Cortona and we will take every measure to ensure no Carentanians or Volgans ever set foot there. Boluxia must resolve this dispute itself free from foreign intervention. No other resolution is acceptable to us.

Commander-in-Chief of the Foreign Affairs Directorate,
General-Feldmarschall Vasili Malyar

 

[Caelia]

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CCF Invokes Order No. 512 on Sinhai Union

The Foreign Affairs Directorate of the Supreme High Command announced today that in accordance with the provisions of SHC Order No. 512 the Commandry will immediately sever all diplomatic and economic ties with the Sinhai Union. Deputy Director of the FAD General-Polkovnik Omeljan Skovoroda told reporters at a brief press conference: "The provisions outlined under Order 512 are the harshest sanction available to the Commandry short of a declaration of war. The FAD is fully aware of the magnitude of these actions, but given the scale of Sinhai-Imperial cooperation I firmly believe nothing less is justified."

Order 512 is perhaps the Commandry's most powerful non-military option against Oikawan collaborators. Under 512 the Foreign Affairs Directorate of the SHC is authorized to launch investigations of nations suspected to be engaged in "Material Collaboration with the Oikawan Empire". At the conclusion of it's investigation the findings are passed to the SHC along with a formal recommendation on how to proceed from the FAD. If a nation is found to be engaged in collaboration and the SHC agrees with the the findings they may then order the Armed Forces to proceed the retaliatory provisions specified under the Order, which is to say the immediate severing of all diplomatic and economic ties in perpetuity.

A formal public report detailing the extent of Oikawan-Sinhai collaboration is expected to be released by the FAD and Commerce Directorate soon. It is not however difficult to discern the focus of the Armed Forces outrage. Warm ties between the Oikawan occupation government of "Jizhou" and the Sinhair Union are well documented in the open press. Analysts and Commentators have speculated for some time about when and how the Commandry would respond, but few expected a move so sudden and dramatic.

Dramatic as it may be ties between the Sinhai Union and the Commandry are virtually non-existent. The small number of Sinhai passport holders currently in-country are reportedly being detained by the Interior Corps in preparation for transit to a military airfield at an undisclosed location. From there they will board specially chartered commercial planes for a non-stop flight to the Sinhai Union. Bank accounts in the Commandry belonging to Sinhai nationals and organizations have been frozen by the CCF Commerce Directorate which has also issued a blanket ban on any economic transaction with persons or organizations from the Sinhai union.

Response on the NSX was somewhat muted with the most noticeable drop occurring after rumors surfaced that Commandry investors in the Sinhai Union had been told they would not be compensated by the Armed Forces for their losses. The rumors were quickly quashed by the COD which declared the issue of compensation was still being considered, which still came to late to prevent lingering instability from persisting for the remainder of the day. Regardless of the outcome of compensation plans the small volume of trade and investment between the countries has led to a general consensus that the market response is only a temporary hiccup.

Headlines
N/A

 

[Keida]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Jizhou

The Republic strongly condemns the actions taken by the Commandry on the grounds that they are designed to penalize a Cathay nation who, acting in their own self-determined interests, have built strong ties with like-minded neighbors. Specifically the Republic notes the Jizhou-Sinhai commitment to act against terrorism, which the Commandry appears to be denouncing. That Kyiv would take such action plainly to the benefit of terrorists, objective enemies of mankind regardless of politics, is absolutely detestable.

Further, that the Commandry has dared to take such steps as detaining and otherwise molesting foreigners on its soil is terrible and the international community will not stand for such blatant disregard for the rights of man. The Republic urges the Supreme High Command to reconsider their ridiculous and objectively wrong decisions.

-Foreign Minister Dan Yimou

 

[Calidia]

Royal Office of External Affairs
Council for Democracy and Justice

We join our friends of the Republic of Jizhou in there condemnation for the latest actions in Kyiv. While such moves are not unexpected knowing the vile nature of the Commandry it is still sad to see innocent people being deported purely for there nationality. But as long as Kyiv keeps on isolating itself by invoking orders such as this we could see the positive side as it is literally driving nations into the open arms of the League of Free States.

 

[Polesia]

Ministry of External Affairs

Vangala welcomes the Commandry's decision to recognise the real threat the Unity Front regime of the Sinhai Union poses to regional and world stability and security.