The Dispatch: News from the Commandry

[Cortona]

Cortonan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Cortona condemns the actions of the Commandry. We look down upon the deportation of Sinhai nationals simply on the basis that they are from the Sinhai Union.

Signed,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Firenze, Cortona

 

[Caelia]

THE DISPATCH
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MID Director: Communist threat "Overstated"

Take it as a sign of the times. Ask someone in the Commandry what they consider the biggest threat to the nation and the answer, almost without exception, would be Oikawa. Ask someone today and you are almost as likely to to hear Communism. You might even call it a red scare. Across Europe communism has stolen the headlines, from the formation of the RDT to a swath of insurgencies communism is the word on everyone's lips.

The Commandry has been relatively insulated from the onslaught of socialism, but this hasn't done anything to ease the minds of the public. Not since the earliest days of the Stratocratic revolution when a communist counter-coup still seemed a tangible threat has Communism ranked so highly among the public's concerns. Until now the Armed Forces have remained silent on the issue but the red scare has persisted even when the red menace has consistently failed to materialize. Now they are speaking out.

In an unprecedented move the director of the secretive Military Intelligence Directorate addressed the issue head on by holding a press conference in the capital. MID Director Vice Marshal Rhostislav Galkin's stance was clear: "The threat posed by Communism, as imagined by the public at large, is overstated. An objective analysis of the facts simply cannot support the level of emphasis it has been given. Communism, as embodied by underground political movements or foreign political regimes, does not pose a tangible threat to the Commandry. Our existing military forces are more than adequate to deal with the threat of Communist regimes abroad. The threat from underground movements is roughly on-par with the threat of far-right political groups and pales in comparison to the threat from the ongoing Khazar secessionist insurgency. I urge citizens to take a more balanced view of the security threats we face and not forget the Armed Forces is well aware of the international communist movement and it's activities. From this there is nothing to fear."

While citizens would be wise to listen to Vice Marshal Galkin's reassurance public opinion is notoriously fickle and only occasionally takes heed of hard facts. The Armed Forces are not the only ones hitting back though, many independent analysts, bloggers and even celebrities have taken have taken shots at communist-fueled paranoia. A comedy duel from Sevastopol hit it big with a sketch mocking exaggerated fears of a communist revolution. The routines runaway success had brought the formerly small time duo into the spotlight and there are now rumors of inquiries from local television stations.

While the Red Menace might be nothing but smoke and mirrors it does serve to highlight a deeper trend. Slavians have lived on the edge for decades, always afraid a hostile invasion could be just over the horizon. Now with the Oikawan Empire and LFS in an apparently irreversible decline that threat is more and more remote. The Commandry is on the verge of a new era were security challenges are many but existential threats are distant and few. The world is changing, but changing our thinking may take a bit longer.

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[Caelia]

THE DISPATCH
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SHC Issues Order Banning Display of Political Sysmbols

The Supreme High Command of the Commandry of Kyiv and Novgorod formally proclaimed SHC Order No. 2095, making the public display of political symbols illegal in the Commandry. The Order defines political symbols as: "Flags, Coats of Arms, Seals, Music or similar devices intended to advocate or signify a political ideology". The order goes on to specify that first-time offenders will be subject to a small fine and have the offending symbols confiscated. Repeat offenders will be subject to harsher penalties including corporal punishment and imprisonment.

Well previous orders such as Order 1944 covered political materials deemed hostile to the Commandry, Order 2095 takes it a step further by applying to all ideologies regardless of their relation to the Commandry. The Orthodox Stratocratic Petryshyn Institute for the Promotion of Stratocracy in Europe immediately applauded the move saying: "The SHC has sent a clear signal to Europe that the Commandry will accept no compromise on it's core values even in the midst of a period of unprecedented economic and diplomatic exchange."

The SHC was also quick to dispel any potential confusion over how the law would apply to foreign nationals in the Commandry. A CCF spokesman told reporters: "Order 2095 will apply equally to every individual on Commandry soil. Only foreign diplomatic personnel will be granted granted blanket exemptions from the ban. Display of certain symbols in a non-political contexts such as sporting events will also be permitted at the discretion of the Interior Directorate."

Compliant with the order the CCF has also directed manufacturers and retailers from either manufacturing or selling prohibited symbols for the domestic market. Sale and manufacture of symbols intended for foreign markets will still be permitted according to the Commerce Directorate, as not to harm the Commandry's manufacturing competitiveness abroad.

The Order includes a 30 day period before the ban will enter in full force, to allow individuals and businesses to bring themselves into compliance. The CCF has also confirmed even minor displays such as stickers on travelers suitcases will be prohibited under the ban, something at least one local company announced it intends to take advantage of with a new range of disposable luggage covers.

Public reaction on the streets and online appears largely positive, with citizens supporting the armed forces efforts to crackdown on foreign ideologies in the Commandry. Some travelers did express frustration that their sticker-adorned luggage would be covered by the ban with most saying they would either try to remove them or simply buy new luggage. Reaction from the small community of foreign nationals living in the Commandry was, unsurprisingly, negative with many expressing their frustration online.

Such scattered protests are unlikely to sway the officers though and the countdown is on until the ban enters into full force.

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[Caelia]

Headlines
General Staff enacts blanket sanctions of Barazai. Orders all passport holders to leave the country within 48 hours.
Rus Investment Authority announces plans to buy Blue Union war bonds.
Civil war in Oikawa. End of the Empire in sight?

 

[Caelia]

THE DISPATCH
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General Staff Closes Khazar Border

With no end in separatist led violence in the Khazar Special Administrative Region the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Commandry (GSAFC) took one of the most drastic actions issuing General Staff Order No. 2071, Travel Permit Regulations for the KSAR. Though cloaked in bureaucratic language the thrust of Order 2071 is simple. Regulations for issuing travel permits for crossing the KSAR border will be drastically tightened. Issuance of permits will now be handled by the Interior Corps of the General Staff in accordance with strict new guidelines banning all "non-essential" travel while all existing permits are now void.

Least anyone doubt this represents a real effort at tightening the border as opposed to simply putting it under new management RusEnergy, the largest employer in the KSAR, announced shortly after it was looking into onsite housing for workers as regular cross-border traffic was no longer considered viable. The definition of non-essential is vague but seems to have been extended to even familly with those living outside the KSAR with family there have reportedly been told they can no longer cross the border for visitation purposes. The new regulations likely also signal the end for the rapidly growing grey market of cross border trade that was the source of most luxury and consumer goods in the KSAR.

The General Staff made no bones about the purpose of the new order. A spokesman told reporters: "This order is targeted at cross border smuggling by civillian cross-border travelers, which is the primary source of revenue for armed seperatists groups in the Khazar Special Administrative Region. Order 2071 represents the latest step in our ongoing effort to stamp out the separatist insurgency, which has identified by the SHC as the Commandry's most immediate security threat."

The General staff also disclosed it had approved funding for undisclosed security improvements to the borders of the KSAR. When asked if this included the Khazar-Sarmatian border the spokesman declined to comment.

Headlines
SHC instructs GSAFC to review regulations for travel to and from Greater Sarmatia and the Blue Union. Possibility of a loosening of restrictions raised.

 

[Caelia]

THE DISPATCH
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Headlines
:!: Central Operations Directorate of the General Staff releases anticipated long term energy plan.
Nuclear Industry Booming: The Atomic Energy Corps reports it has secured funding from the GSAFC for the replacement of reactors nearing the end of their service lives and an ambitious plan to expand nuclear generating capacity. Plans call for up to 50% of the Commandry's energy demand to be met by nuclear power by 2030 compared to roughly 15% today. The AEC also reported it will continue it's ongoing research into Nuclear Fusion but does not expect an economical Fusion power station before 2050.
Oil Forever?: The GSAFC calls for maintaining production at current levels indefinitely. Well the Commandry's oil reserves are immense they are not unlimited. Future production is likely to be increasingly dependent on the Commandry's vast reserves of Shale Oil, estimated well in excess of 200 billion barrels. Unsuprisingly RusEnergy announced it was launching a major R&D initiative aimed at better understanding the nations unconventional oil reserves and developing new ways to extract them.
Twilight of Gas: The GSAFC has singled out the Commandry's excessive consumption of natural gas as "unsustainable" noting that gas production is in steady decline and most reserves will be all but depleted within 30 years. To that end the GSAFC has set out the groundwork for a complete phase out of natural gas from the Commandry's domestic energy mix by 2040. Nuclear Energy will take the place of Natural Gas in electrical generation well Oil will likely substitute it in applications like home heating.
Rock Solid. There were no major announcements for coal. Coal's share of energy generation is set to remain steady well exploitation of new deposits in Sibir are expected to maintain production at required levels.
Wither renewable?: The only significant renewable energy source in the Commandry's planned future energy mix is hydro power, which is already in place. The GSAFC was dismissive of renewable's in general calling them "uneconomical". The only significant R&D efforts appear to be a private project by RusEnergy which launched it in an effort to remain competitive internationally and an exploratory project by the Commandry Air Defense Forces studying the possibility of orbiting Solar Arrays by mid century.
Electrifying: The GSAFC has expressed strong support for electric cars as a way of reducing domestic fuel demand. A new grant program for electric vehicle research was unveiled along with the declassification of a significant body of scientific work sponsored under an ongoing military electric vehicle program. A number of potential joint ventures are reportedly in discussion.

 

[Caelia]

THE DISPATCH
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Commandry Prepares to Receive Freiheits Nuclear Weapons

The Navy is on a mission, not a mission of war but a mission of peace. A flotilla led by the aircraft carrier Velyki Novhorod is on the way to Freiheit after a ground breaking deal was negotiated that will see the troubled nations nuclear arsenal transferred to the Commandry for dismantling.

The flotilla will make port in the city of St. George where the weapons are reportedly being guarded by Freiheits military. From there they will be transferred to the Velyki Novhorod for shipment back to the Commandry. On arrival they will be relinquished by the CNF to the AEC who will proceed with the dismantling. A representative of the AEC informed The Dispatch that under existing security guidelines they could not discuss the process of dismantling including where it would take place, but he did reiterate that the AEC would take all necessary security and safety precautions.

The GSAFC Foreign Affairs Directorate hailed the agreement as a major breakthrough. A spokesman told reporters: "This agreement will ensure the stability of Freiheit and all of Europe. Well the Council of Nations has occupied itself with political foot-dragging the Commandry has taken swift and decisive action to nip a potential international crisis at the bud. This should be be a day of celebration for all the peoples of Europe."

We will follow this story as it develops.

Headlines
GSAFC mum on coronation of Sarmatian Emperor.

 

[Sheridan]

Department of Foriegn Affairs

Due to certain security risks we have had to change the location from St. George to Blaufelden, its a shorter sail from the Commandry so your navy should be pleased.

 

[Mergogne]

USSK Office of Foreign Affairs

The Kryobaijani government urges the Commandry to accept an international commission to observe the dismantling operation by the Atomic Energy Corps.

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Commissariate for Foreign Affairs

Carentania seconds the calls of their Kryobaijani allies. The Commandry has the chance to build up international trust in its peaceful intentions by allowing observers to the dismantling process and should not discard these calls as signs of distrust.

 

[Caelia]

GSAFC Directorate of Foreign Affairs

The Commandry will not abide such transparent scheming by the international political order to compromise our most closely held nuclear secrets. The Commandry will dispose of the warheads in a safe and effective manner as we have done with countless warheads before.

As the inventors of the atom bomb and holder of the largest nuclear arsenal in Europe we have no conceivable reason to mishandle Freiheits warheads. We have acted out of pure altruism to secure the peace and safety of the people of Freiheit and Europe when no other would. We are not accountable for the paranoid fantasies of politicians, if they believe this to be the first step in some nefarious scheme then perhaps in the future they will avail themselves to respond to such threats in a more timely manner.

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

 

[Caelia]

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CNF Secures Freiheits Warheads

Breaking news this hour as a representative of the Commandry Naval Forces has confirmed that the Velyki Novhorod has arrived in Blaufelden and is proceeding with the handover of Freiheits nuclear warheads.

The news cannot have come at a better time as the situation in Freiheit has reportedly been deteriorating rapidly. Rebel forces of unknown allegiance has attacked the capital of Freistadt according to the MID and there are concerns that the government might fall. Had it not been for the swift intervention of the CNF the civil war that is now raging in Freiheit could have taken on apocalyptic proportions.

We will have more on this as it develops.

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[Anglyn]

Foreign Office

As HM Government has received reports to the contrary, we would like to confirm that the warhead have been secured and that they are safely aboard the Velyki Novhorod.

 

[Caelia]

Foreign Office

As HM Government has received reports to the contrary, we would like to confirm that the warhead have been secured and that they are safely aboard the Velyki Novhorod.

OOC: You daft Freiheits response was not public. Look at the thread again.

 

[Anglyn]

OOC: You daft Freiheits response was not public. Look at the thread again.

OCC: I am going by the report coming out of the CoN.

 

[Caelia]

OCC: I am going by the report coming out of the CoN.

FCU mistakenly assumed it was public and ran with it. Nobody should know about this ICly other than Freiheit and me.

 

[Caelia]

THE DISPATCH
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Foreign Affairs Directorate Calls for Solution to Akhaltsikhe Crisis

A growing diplomatic row over policies of the government of Akhaltsikhe towards it's Uroduah majority which critics say amount to apartheid has promoted the GSAFC FAD to speak out on the issue. Foreign Affairs Directorate Vice Commander General-Major Anatoliy Varhol released a statement: "Instability in the Himyar region is a threat to all of Europe and if the crisis in Akhalistkhe is allowed to escalate we could see the beginning of a major catastrophe. The Commandry calls on all parties involved in the Akhaltsikhe crisis to address their differences and come to a peaceable agreement at the earliest possible juncture."

It is not hard to understand why chaos in Himyar is a global problem. Himyar produces over 20 million barrels of oil a day with production concentrated in Hajr, Akhalistkhe and Talemantros, three nations at the heart of the current crisis. Oil prices have already begun to rise and if uncertainty continues (to say nothing of possible escalation) there is no telling how high they could go.

The SHC is reportedly already taking steps to mitigate the impact of rising Oil prices on the Commandry's economy, reportedly directing the General Staff to hold domestic oil prices stable with price subsidies. Well the Commandry might be able to absorb the cost of subsidies through rising oil revenue it is powerless to stop the global slowdown in consumption if prices continue to climb. With the Commandry's economy still dependent on commodity and manufacturing exports such a slowdown could hit uncomfortably close to home.

Headlines
Sibir Steel reportedly contracts Belmontien mining firm to aid in the extraction of Sibirian coal beds. CEO hails new agreement between Belmont and the Commandry as "Groundbreaking".

 

[Hesperia]

Diwan of Trade & Industry

The Sultanate can, without any form of doubt, assert that the crisis in Akhaltsikhe has not, does not, and will not have any impact on the production, refinement, and export of oil in our nation. We assure the international community that Hajr, at least, will be able to meet its commitments.

Diwan of Foreign Affairs

Hajr is in agreement with Kyiv on the need for an immediate resolution to the situation in Akhaltsikhe, as well as the state racism of the illegal regime of Tetri Tsqaro, but assures the Commandry that in no way does this crisis impact our ability to produce and export oil.

 

[Caelia]

THE DISPATCH
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Imperial Civil War: End In Sight?

Well one would be wise to regard Oikawan propaganda outlets with suspicion their latest claims of triumph appear to contain a kernel of truth. The GSAFC has confirmed today that the latest reports of Imperial victories over the Jizhou revolutionaries are primarily truthful. The GSAFC also revealed it did not project victory for the Jizhou liberation movement.

With the empire seemingly bound for victory the question is: once the war is over what course will Oikawa pursue and what does this mean for the Commandry? The SHC and GSAFC are certainly analyzing this question right now though official representatives declined to comment. Independent analysts were more open, with one senior analyst telling The Dispatch: "Coming out of the war the Oikawan Empire will be weakened militarily, economically and politically. This does not necessarily translate to a more subdued foreign policy though, if Nonkanawa perceives that other states are trying to take advantage of their weakness they might instead become hyper-aggressive. The Commandry will again need to leverage it's superior military position if it hopes to forestall Oikawan aggression."

Another analyst emphasized the new political environment in Sarmatia: "Oikawa is currently focused internally on the crisis in Jizhou. But once they sit back and take stock of the world around them they will realize their borders have become a lot less friendly. The greater rapport between Sarmatian states led by the Sarmatian Empire has come precariously close to creating a hostile power block encircling the Empire entirely. Oikawa's international position is weaker than any time since the Great War and it's impossible to say how they will react to this."

Two days ago the GSAFC Atomic Energy Corps unexpectedly announced it would be quintupling the number of open air and underground tests carried out over the next twelve months citing unforeseen technical issues with stockpiled warheads. Simple stewardship or a carefully designed message? There is no confirmed connection between the AEC's announcement and the wider situation in Oikawa but it certainly worth pondering.

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[Caelia]

THE DISPATCH
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Adjutant Speaks About Freiheit Attack

General-Adjutant of the Armed Forces of the Commandry Artem Rakovsky held a special emergency press conference this morning about the alleged nuclear attack on Freiheit. He discussed what the Commandry knew about the attack and it's aftermath and took special care to address some of the more hyperbolic reports coming out of Freiheit. He told reporters:

"Reports of 1 million dead are in the MID's assessment vastly exaggerated. Not only is it far to early for a realistic casualty count to be completed but neither seismograph readings or satellite imagery support the claims that a major nuclear explosion occurred in Freiheit. Preliminary assessment suggests the devices used were subkiloton earth-penetrating warheads carried by submarine launched ballistic missiles. Imputing the inferred characteristics of the warheads and target area into our damage models suggest a more realistic casualty count in the tens of thousands, primarily from secondary fallout."

When asked about the possible identity, motives and target of the attacker he responded: "The type of weapons used strongly suggest the intended target was hardened facilities beneath Freistadt. This is corroborated by previous intelligence that confirms the existence of such facilities though we were not able to infer their intended function. Why a nation would see fit to launch an unprovoked nuclear strike on these facilities is unknown to us, especially as Freiheit has itself renounced nuclear weapons."

He concluded the conference by saying the Commandry was preparing a humanitarian aid package for Freiheit including NBC experts from the CGF and nuclear specialists from the AEC. Assuming Freiheit accepts the offer the first aid could depart within a week according to Rakovsky.

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