Daily SEU Life: The average guy goes to a manufacturing job somewhere. Propaganda posters exist, and if one is well-off enough to have television, the news is state-sponsored, though most other TV items are privately owned, if censored. All the banks are state-owned, but most of everything else is owned by private companies. There are many brands of everything, but they are all kind of the same. Sweets, toothbrushes, toilet paper, all mediocre and not good. Housing is nice, fuel is plentiful and houses sturdy, if a bit smelly and small. The average bloke is never full, but never hungry. Skipping meals are unthinkable, but having extravagant ones just as so. Diners are rare, because there is no excess food. It is once every few months at most, for upper middle class. Indeed, the ones that are most often full are the Children, because the Government subsidized their care. Healthcare is actually good, many new drugs are introduced and used. SEU's core principle: Everyone should work, and the state should try its best to feed all those who do.
The Balkan Federation is in hot water with SEU, in direct contradiction of the previous policies. The Fascists there have severely angered the Chinese populace with their rhetoric, and led to Iosif Stalin placing high tariffs on Oil. In addition, they are being quite racist and Islamophobic against the Caliphate, claiming "taking back the Strait" is needed.
Sultan Abiwa claims the strait was never theres, and never will be, if they take it they are not only going to destory the Caliphate, but themselves and the entire region.
Malaysia calls for an alliance with the Caliphate. They are tired of their Socialist neighbours and their extreme Anti-Religion and Islamophobic actions and words, they especially don't like Stalin and considering they are a majority Muslim country they'd rather be friends with another Muslim nation other than one that hates what they believe in. The Caliphate has also reached out to Morocco, asking for an alliance, they gladly accept, being an ally with a partner which controls all three entries to the Mediterranean is an asset, and it will grow Morocco even more because of their control in south Gibraltar. Control is mild though, their constant warring with Spain led them only the strait, while the Spanish own their previous areas around, making the area a hotspot. Muslims in Indonesia protest in the streets against the Anti-Muslim image, calling the government oppressive and unfair, they fear the burnings of their own Mosques and wish for the SEU to leave. Bulgaria begins a wary friendship with the Caliphate, all though not allies, they are on good terms, but due to the split of religion and the tugging of Fascism, progress is slower than liked, but Bulgaria really loves the trade and imports they are getting out of it. The Caliphate begins trading in Europe for TV appliances, modern stoves, laundry machines, and household utilities, as well as communication equipment, all for oil and precious minerals.
SEU appeases the Indonesians via a comprehensive agreement that allows SEU to use Indonesian Naval Bases and posses an alliance as well as a weapons selling monopoly, in exchange for self-governing by 1950 and independence by 1955 as well as cheap SEU goods. Indonesia wants SEU to pull it forward by a decade, but SEU doesn't. In any case, SEU is equally oppressive to all religions. While SEU does not burn Churches or Mosques, religions is quietly discouraged.
To fallout: How do you win World War 2? (reposted so fallout reads) OOC GUIDE, MODIFY AS NEEDED, REVISED EDITION You've been dealt a bad hand. Admittedly, the Caliphate has it worse but at least it has allies. You need 4 major resources to win wars. There are other, minor resources, 3 of which are worth covering. Iron and Steel: You have none of this. Germany gets the Steel from imports. Invade Sweden WHEN THE WAR BEGINS, it might anger the Socialists but they're too busy infighting anyhow and the Baltic Federation will be too weak to resist. Oil: Italy will invade Libya soon. They will be able to take the Oil there. The Caliphate might be able to take it away from you, so you should develop Romania's Oil fields. It won't be enough, but it'll delay the inevitable and buy you time to attack Iraq or something (Iraq is the only viable nation, Saudi Arabia (Mecca, attacking it would be nothing short of a momentously bad idea.) is a non-starter. Coal: You have it. No problems. Food: France has rich farmlands. No problems. Rubber: Synthesize it, begin research as soon as Italy gets the Libyan oil fields. Which is now. And now you have, so No Problems. Copper: Attack Poland and annex it. It's a temporary fix at best, but the best one you've got. You could try and trade with the Federation, but the formidable SEU Navy will definitely make it problematic. In addition, the Caliphate also is trying to trade with them. Bauxite (Aluminum): Work with the Balkan Federation to get Copper. They have minor reserves in Greece. How to deal with each faction? Socialists: Keep them fighting each other. If they unite, you are doomed. The thing is, these guys have all four of the above resources, unlimited manpower and can fight a war indefinitely. You cannot, so keep them fighting each other and not you. First target, try for a peace agreement. Caliphate: Deal with them conventionally. Roll over them with troops; they are less dangerous than the Socialists and definitely the less powerful faction out of your two enemies. Federation: You need their Steel, their Natural Resources. The Caliphate needs it just as much as you do, though, and the Caliphate is a more attractive trading partner. To make sure you aren't outmatched, you need to either knock the Caliphate out, or have such a powerful navy that trading with the Caliphate would be immensely stupid. (build Destroyers, Heavy Cruisers, and Aircraft Carriers. Maybe another couple of Battleships with 18-inch guns, because the Caliphate has those now.) DON'T START THE WAR NOW. NONE OF YOUR FASCIST BUDDIES ARE READY.
The USSR, in a united act after years of war amongst itself and counterproductive actions, resulting it achieving none of its goals and instead creating even more division in Eurasia, has announced an "act of Unity", announcing goals and a comprehensive plan for forward advancements. This is mostly due to Nikita Khrushchev with Iosif Stalin's backing, who read the politics well and saw a war coming. However, the underlying tensions are obvious. Despite the attempt at Unity made, India and SEU are still in confrontation, and the border clashes are ceaseless. This is fragile.
How is the Caliphate less dangerous? They literally have 1.5 million soldiers at their disposal, they are all united and they are well equipped with strongholds, bunkers and defence systems, as well as a decently sized and quite powerful Navy and a quite large Airforce for their size... Attacking Iraq is a horrible idea, not only is Iraq locked between Turkey, Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Palestine/Trans-Jordon, the oceans around it are impenetrable. Ethiopia, Sunayyad's biggest ally controls Somalia and Djibouti, the strait to the Red Sea, as well as the Caliphate, you would have to get pass a massive stronghold and blockade which isn't easy, but also somehow get down the Red Sea and dodge all of the defense systems from the shores in Saudia Arabia and Egypt. The Persian Gulf has as much defence as the strait to the Red Sea, but the only downfall is that it isn't that long of a run, meaning there isn't much defence farther down the gulf. I don't know why you even suggested for Fallout to attack Iraq, and I don't know why you consider the Caliphate easy to defeat.
The Caliphate has started development on the W-2, an upgrade to the W-1, and a possible march to a Main Battle Tank. Currently, it shows no sign of becoming apart of the Calvary, but its very promising. It is about 10 tons, with armour ranging between 6-16 mm thick. It's only 13 feet long, with two .30 cals and one .50 cal machine guns, it has a speed of around 45 mph on roads. Its special suspension and traction allow for the W-2 to work best in sandy and rough conditions, making it a great defensive weapon for the deserts of the Middle East. The concept of radar is being thought of, although no prototype has been build as of yet, Caliphate war engineers are considering the thoughts of detecting enemies without needing to see them.
Daily life in the Sunayyad Empire: The average worker usually goes to work at some factory, oil field or manufacturing company, producing goods as well as war equipment and technologies, pay is fair, just enough to run a household and feed a family. Farmers benefit and are respected, fertile areas like the Nile rivers or near the Euphrates and Tigris have large populations of farmers who produce wheat, barley, rice, maize, chickpeas, lentils and various vegetables and fruits; the more fertile the land and suitable for farming the higher the population and amount of work for farmers, generally, everyone is fed, most people are never full, but never starved. Rural villages are mostly untouched, they produce their own food, although drought and famine can utterly destroy them due to the fact that they only import food from their own hands, and not like major urban areas which get their food from many sources. Market places are full and lively, fruits, meats, dairies, grains and vegetables are sold, and people who own their own shops can make a living on selling their own things; in cities luxurious objects such as carpets, pottery, glasswork and textiles made in Persia and Turkey are very popular, only the rich and some middle class seem to have them though. As for the rich, they gain their riches from running factories and manufacturing companies and generally large businesses, lords of the oil business gain wealth quickly. There isn't a massive split in the rich and the poor, middle-class citizens have the ability to get rich, although it is harder, and generally people would prefer to live off of work and survive, poverty exists, but due to the unemployment rate at 1-2% it's getting less common to be homeless and unemployed. Aristocracy is unheard of, the rich do own many amazing homes and do cause the beauty of city infrastructure to flourish, but they have no say in any Islamic government. Religion is dominantly Islamic, Mosques are in most places and people pray, meditate and study Islam. Other religions such as Judaism and Christianity is a minority, although there isn't much of animosity between the two, generally minority religions group in small communities and live like everyone else, everyone leaves each other alone. Arts, Science, Culture and Technology run well in the Sunayyad Empire, with Baghdad being considered a science capital of the world, physics, mathematics, chemistry, medicine, astrology and literature are very welcomed, making the Sunayyad Empire a reminent of the Golden age of Islam, and a centre for knowledge and art. Housing varies in the sizes of cities, generally, the larger the city the more cramped conditions get, but it's not unliveable. Houses are made from stone, although sometimes mudbrick, and are well ventilated, cool during the summers and warm during the winters, the Sunayyads have mastered construction of homes in the desert. Television isn't as accessible, it is mostly given to the rich, although television isn't of much use, mainly because people would rather work and benefit their communities than waste their time with television. Television, newspapers and the such are all Middle Eastern-themed, propaganda isn't as rampant as it is in the SEU, but people respect their leaders. The Hijab is not required, woman are treated fairly and have similar rights to men, they are there to help eachother and grow a family. Dances, theatres and music is very common and very popular, people love going to late night social clubs and being with friends. Cities are well kept and maintaned to an extent, slums exist and they are indeed dirty, apartment blocks exist all throughout the cities, seweage systems are in place, and clean water is accessible to an extent. Cars are used, but only by the rich of course, generally horses are the preferred means of travel, as well as camels and other animals, roads are full of comotion, people walking and laughing, street vendors and animals, bicycles are used as well. OOC: The Middle East isn't going to be like what it is today, it will be greater without Europe intervening after the Ottoman Empire, meaning that another European nation doesn't destroy the lively hood and potential of a region.
Fallout's been dealt a very bad hand; they're a global Pariah and no one really likes them. In addition, the Caliphate has allies that give them access to the many natural resources. The Fascists' allies... have few Natural Resources. What makes the Socialists dangerous is THIS: Fascists: Can fight at full strength for 4-5 years, subsequent decline in power fast due to running out of Natural Resources or men. Caliphate: Can fight at full strength for 3-4 years before running out of manpower, subsequent decline in power slow. Socialists: Can fight at full strength for 20-30 years, longer, possibly indefinitely if they discover more oil (which they will), natural birth rate fast enough to replenish battlefield losses. Constantly wasting energy fighting each other, even when "united". Power Ratio, does not account for public opinion, determination or logistical difficulties: Fascists: 5 Caliphate: 4 Socialists: 18 (10 vs 8 Classic Socialists vs Southern Socialists fighting each other, soon will be 9 vs 7 vs 3, Classic Socialists vs Southern Socialists vs Islamic Socialists)
The Socialists have 2 (soon-to-be 3) factions: Classic Socialists: SEU, all of Western USSR, Mongolia Southern Socialists: India, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Nepal (Soon-to-be) Islamic Socialists: Malaysia, Indonesia These guys are constantly fighting each other.
The Balkan Federation has outlawed Fascist Parties after a recent violent attack erupted between Socialist Party supporters and a Fascist Party parade. The socialists were peacefully protesting the parade, the Fascist Party got aggressive, eventually violence erupted - the blame was pinned on the fascists, who began to brutally beat more than five socialists to death - they killed another two people, who were just civilian bystanders. The socialists retaliated amidst the chaos, killing two fascists. The police attempted to assert control, and eventually the fascists opened fire at the police, killing an officer. Six more people were killed in the ensuing hail of bullets into the crowd from the police officers. The Balkan Prime Minister has pledged a crackdown on these thugs and has arrested several of their leaders.
The USSR is unable to help the fledgling Socialist movement due to its sheer discord and infighting, and it begins to wither without outside assistance by the exponentially more powerful outside Socialists. The Fascists have backing from most of Europe (now taken over by Fascists), but the Socialists (in Balkans) have no one.
The SEU, stil a very much intact state and more powerful than ever, decide to order Yi Sun-Shin to circumnavigate the Globe as a symbol of Socialist Invincibility while freshly fully repaired Myeongyang undergoes new crew training and gunnery practice, to catch her up to her slightly uglier but at this point considerably more powerful sister ship, who are starting to look like cousin ships because Yi Sun-Shin is scheduled to undergo a second reconstruction to improve speed, AA armament and to better utilize the vast space available. Myeongyang has also been scheduled for a second reconstruction to do the same, but it will be more extensive, and to make them look like sister ships again. Indeed, the Socialists are Invincible, for anyone but they themselves.
The Fascist Party that controls the state of Serbia has refused to give into the federation's demands. They are in full rebellion, aiming to take over the federal government. They are backed by the rest of Europe.
The Socialist Eurasian Union is unable to respond, due to the fact they are currently in a war with India. The Socialists are on their own. Meanwhile, Myeongyang is undergoing reconstruction and crew training. 6 months. Many of the other Capital ships are undergoing extensive modernization as well because they are worn out from fighting, as well as plain old stress on their structures from years of sitting in a dock. (otus wink wink)
