RUM is starting to come underneath really hard times with their crappy capitalism system not holding together well. Sadly, they may not make it to their first election to help "reignite" their economy to stay alive. As a last-ditch effort, RUM has increased oil drilling off of their coasts, hoping someone else will purchase and help with their poor economy.
SEU bans the Tibetan Language and Tibetan Buddhism. Let's not kid ourselves here. This is ethnic cleansing. This is Evil. SEU outright intends to assimilate the Tibetans into the Han by force. But why not Turkestan? SEU explains why. This is punishment for the insolence of the Tibetans into SEU; they demanded Independence; SEU does not tolerate independence movements. East Turkestan wanted reasonable things like improvement of living standards. Tibet wanted Independence. SEU isn't entirely heartless, though. SEU funds Tibet heavily and the Party is making Tibet develop very fast, and is building new things out of scratch. SEU also doesn't kill anyone; fines will be sufficient for SEU's purposes. SEU is actually making life better, even if everyone has to use Mandarin or Russian. SEU's plan was this from the start; Financial Pressure. Starve or Assimilate. SEU has mandated that Companies looking to trade with Tibet should use Russian or Mandarin Chinese, NOT Tibetan. SEU will only send money (and lots of money) to Tibet if they use Mandarin Chinese or Russian. SEU will only allow donations to help Tibet enter if they are not to help the Tibetan language and identity. SEU states that they see nothing wrong with lifting Tibet from their primitive and valueless culture into the higher and more refined Russian and Chinese cultures; SEU claims as the World's greatest and most powerful civilization, they have a responsibility to do this. SEU is very blunt; they see no value whatsoever in Tibetan culture. SEU also states that they intend to create net good by replacing Tibetan Culture with Han-Russian Culture, because Tibetan culture is bad no matter how you look at it. As is normal with SEU, this is only half true, at MOST. SEU bars mainlanders from entering Hong Kong. This is because mainlanders have been attacking Hongkongers as revenge for Hongkonger Rioters killing several mainlanders; SEU is afraid that they will lose control and accidentally cause war between Hong Kong and the Chinese. SEU mobs waving SEU flags are attacking Hongkongers and Hong Kong is on the verge of exploding a third time. This would be very bad.
SEU's ethnic cleansing program is going well; turns out there is no better motivator than money. People still speak Tibetan in their houses; that's OK. SEU doesn't care; all SEU cares about is that they use Mandarin or Russian in Public and in Literature, and that no School teaches Tibetan. The Home usage will soon follow. Demand for Mandarin lessons and Russian lessons have skyrocketed 1,000%. This is due to SEU mandating the usage of SEU official languages. SEU does not care about home usage or home teaching, if there are no textbooks there will be nothing to teach new Children with. In 50 years the Tibetan language will be dead; SEU does not intend to destroy it all at once. It will be a gradual erosion of what makes Tibet Tibet, and a Russo-Sinicization of the Tibetan people. Destroy the Language, Destroy the Culture.
SEU is probably the most arrogant nation on Earth. They are nationalistic, themself-centric, and acts like they're the best. SEU nationalism consists of 2 components: Socialist Nationalism Ethnic Nationalism Socialist Nationalism basically means that they think they are the leader of the Socialist/"Civilized" World. To be fair, they are. They think that since they constructed Socialism and are the pinnacle of Socialist Civilization, they are the best and greatest. They have the best military (TRUE), best economy (TRUE), good but not best standards of living (that would be Lichtenstein, the Sunayyad Caliphate at a distant second.), best environmental programs (FALSE, the Party is trying but due to the sheer scale of SEU is somewhat ineffective). They think they are the pinnacle of Civilization and with a few examples (other Soviet Union members, which they view as equals in their advancedness) as inferior to them, particularly Capitalist and Religious Societies. Ethnic Nationalism is a SEU creation. The people believe SEU are the inheritors of two out of the three greatest Empires on Earth, Han and the Rus, as well as a bevvy of smaller but no less important nations, the greatest among the lessers being Joseon. SEU teaches that the Union is a Union of hundreds of legacies and cultures into a superior culture to the rest of mankind. Of course, the Superior Culture is not perfect and most certainly not Communist and so must pick up new things from other cultures to become the future Communist Superculture that will be conducive to the Ideal Communist Society. The people have pride in their individual cultures, viewing each and every one as an integral part of the future Communist Superculture. This basically means that SEU thinks that it is the best and greatest, without equal. It thinks that even Italy, the inheritor of Rome, cannot match up to SEU.
The Islamic government of the Caliphate is successful because it doesnt fall forced under squabbling ministers and politicians and pleases the people. An Islamic government is perfect for a predominant Muslim nation, but that doesnt mean it's only to serve God. The Caliphate seeks for one goal, to keep the Sunayyad Caliphate ruling forever, and that's done by pleasing the people yet holding a constructive hold. The Caliphate would fail if it was a full democracy, which is why having the Caliphate system in place is the most effective. It also helps that Musawaism is the most liberal and peaceful ideology of Islam. It's easier to rule a nation with a few highly trusted and divine leaders than hundreds of angry politicians and useless groups. The Caliphate spreads propaganda urging Muslims to reject socialism. They use over exaggerated examples of Han Assimilation and develop propaganda giving the false image that the Socialist parties goal is an Athiest world, and that is only achieved through assimilation. The main message is for muslims to not be tricked and to not fall under the rule of Socialism. Also, it helps that Tehran's University is now planning on teaching Tibet, a slap in the SEU's face and another way for the mass immigration of people from Tibet to the Caliphate, which is very easy to do as the Caliphate is doing this directly to go against the SEU.
The CSA succeeds in a fly by mission to Venus, and the CSA keeps funding rocket technology to reach the moon and continue space travel. The X-6 is basically complete, and is designated as a proper ICBM, armed with the 250 Kiloton Warhead, while others are in progress. The X-5 Stays as a space launch vehicle The SC detonates a 1 megaton bomb underground in the Sahara desert. The Nammuu SSBN is armed with multiple P-1 Polaris missiles, completing the Nuclear Triad. The Iron Wall is being built, and project designers estimate 34.4% progress completion, with the entire project to be completed by 1971 or earlier. The iron wall will make the SC the most well defended nation on Earth, not even the SEU could attack it head on, unless they wish to become radioactive ash and conform to distorted figures. Orders for AA weaponry, anti missile and launch pads are at an all time high, and sets the record for the most AA ever ordered for a single nation. Armed Forces attack? You will die either to the mass of the SC's defense forces or you will die in the deserts. Attacking the SC from the East is the worst idea imaginable, unless you wish to quickly die. No army could get through not only impassable mountains, or a defensive force hiding in the mountains. Air force attack? AA from the iron wall will cut your airforce down, and any bunker bombers or any deep warfare fighters will prove little to effect, as any attack will be quickly shot out of the sky or intercepted. Naval Attack? Cannot work without an army or airforce, and attacking the SCN's navy and the SC's coast line is a bad idea. Attacking of the three straits and canals is a death wish. Nuclear Attack? World doom.
The second biggest port is being built in the Persian Gulf, being a ship building and shipping port, it will be 2x the size of the Black Sea Shipping port, making it the biggest port in the Western/Central world. Even then it is just a tad smaller than what's in China. It will be finished by 1971.
The UBR government has noticed how discontent the current populace is with the government. They are currently organizing a referendum, and the results will be published on post 1655. We will work to create an independent, democratic government in any country with >50% turnout and >50% voting for independence.
Macau has flared up in revolt. They stand with Hong Kong in their desire for Democracy. Unfortunately for them, the SEU People stand very much united in their desire that Hong Kong be governed by a Socialist Governing system. If the Socialist Party Capitulates, the SEU people will tear them apart. The Party is beyond caring and opts to simply bar counterprotestors from entering Hong Kong; SEU will abandon Hong Kong. The Government cuts funding to HK things and provides them to Tibet, for developing their infrastructure and improving quality of life, as well as destroying native culture.
RUM residents get ready for their election. RUM has a total of 47% liberals, 48% conservatives and 5% swing representatives. The voters reflect those numbers, of course with swinging beliefs as each election happens. Most of the candidates running propose a better economy. The liberals are weak and do not promise much change, but do promise to keep things where they are. Mainly due to the fact that they are bought out by the big corporations and usually fold in favor of conservative beliefs, but they water it down so it "looks like" that they're for the people. The conservative candidates love to lie, blatantly. They do promise a better economy, but they lie by saying that the residents will have lower taxes, compared to the liberals who say that they will "raise taxes". (Even though the liberals, while bought out yes, they press for more centrist social services) They press the notion that will equal to more money saved if a conservative president is chosen as the leader of RUM. The 5% are swing voters but have 3rd party beliefs that are outside of the norm of the majority of the people's mindsets. (Consider this your Independents if you'd like) They believe the economy is hurting, but they have inside information about the fact that the economy is hurting due to the 1% sucking the rest of the country's population dry of their money while they keep 99% of the wealth for themselves. They try to reach a more socialized society with better healthcare and more affordable prices at the store, better jobs with higher wages, and better energy alternatives than the dangerous nuclear energy. In the meantime, RUM's media (which sucks like modern-day America's) loves to cover the majority of "team red" vs "team blue" and leave the 5% alone. The top conservative candidate loves to bash the liberals for being weak and pointing out their faults. He resorts to name-calling and distractions when he is called out on important issues. The liberal candidate, however, is bought out as well, and she is trying to call out the top candidate for the conservatives for being bought out, when they are as well... (Anyone remember 2016..?) This is leading to a huge money maker for the media in RUM to keep all attention on these two candidates fighting as their ratings shoot high, while the true people who care for the people of RUM are buried due to lack of coverage and having unpopular beliefs at the time. Their leader is an older guy who really believes in real change for the countries whereas the other two candidates lack sustenance in those regard. (Mainly due to being bought out.) The economy improves a bit as the election gets closer. Though, this is most likely short-term as the 1% is likely buying the debt from these major corporations. (No telling that they may then "sell the debt" to the people when they want to make that money back after the election...) RUM is facing a political mess, but perhaps they need to feel this political pain so they do not fall for the same thing 4 years from now?
The UK has been pushed back into Northern Ireland as French and Spanish reinforcements slowly overwhelm the UK; Italy has instituted a new ideological policy. All former Roman Provinces are equally Roman, and are brothers in the Roman Empire. Italy relinquishes the title of "New Roman Empire", and renames itself "Kingdom of Italy". Italy creates the "Roman Union", the central City being Rome, obviously. It will be a Fascist alliance of Fascist nations; Italy, being the most direct and the founder is the De Facto leader, and has a second nation elected every 4 years among the member states to serve alongside Italy. It will be an Economic Cooperation of Fascist Nations for Fascists. CURRENT FASCIST NATIONS: Italy France Spain Netherlands Belgium Austria Argentina
As the primaries come up, the residents of RUM pay close attention. Little do they know, the 3rd party candidate gets buried under the drama happening between the Liberal candidate and the Conservative candidate. The media pays little to no attention to the 3rd party group, even though he has strong support by those who are educated on what he stands for. Even though he is a 3rd party candidate, he knows he won't make it as president, so he decides to help endorse the front-running Liberal candidate. He decides to keep running his own campaign while endorsing her. Meanwhile, the weaker candidates on both sides begin to drop out as their campaigns stall and their support stagnates and/or drops. The Conservative candidate keeps pointing out how broken the system is and how people are being screwed over, at the same time, he takes stabs at the Liberal candidate who does nothing to defend her policies, rather she engages in the meaningless fight and keeps saying that she will be the "first female president". She brings ideas to the table, but are nothing new and at best, will maintain the status quo... RUM is nearly split down the middle, politically and fractures the countries socially. People do not know who to vote for but an overall belief that something needs to be done is unanimous.
The SC is worried about the new Roman Empire, although it is much smaller and weaker than the historic counterpart, they find it quite dangerous, and the fact that the SC owns almost 60% of the land they wish to inhabit it becomes a race to defend their own sovereignty. North Africa gets a boost of defensive measures, mainly the construction of a new naval port, and AA added from the Iron Wall project. What the SC is worried about is a two front war. There is so denying the SEU will join the war if Italy attacks the SC. The SEU just has scumbag tendencies like that.
The golden age proves the economy is flourishing. Hundreds of thousands of jobs open up, and poverty and infant death rates are dropping. It's hard to say that the Caliphate is Capitalist, as in all honesty, the SC is very distinct on stopping a 1% majority to own all of the weath. That's why massive companies involved in trade, military and the such are government, while smaller companies like for example a company that builds office chairs would be private. The biggest oil company in the world, Sunayyad Aramco is owned by the government, and all other private oil owners are smaller, but still have to pay quite a lot of taxes to the government. The system is basically anti-aristocracy. People can indeed become very rich, but not rich to the point where 1% owns 50% of the wealth. So is the Caliphate capitalist? Who knows, it's quite minor. As Ashqar ages he is seen less time in the political department and more in the religious. Being the head of Ramadan for over 4 years, he is loved by everyone. He even sends aid to minor Christian African countries.
The results of the referendum are in. POLAND - 64% turnout, 59% for independence KALININGRAD - 50% turnout, all ballots invalid LITHUANIA - 53% turnout, 63% for independence LATVIA - 51% turnout, 50% for independence ESTONIA - 98% turnout (voting mandated by law), 32% for independence FINLAND - 51% turnout, 42% for independence SWEDEN - 74% turnout, 7% for independence DENMARK - 30% turnout, all ballots invalid DENMARK AUTONOMOUS REGIONS - 67% turnout, 20% for independence from UBR separate from Denmark, 56% for staying under Denmark's jurisdiction, 24% for country status in the UBR separate from Denmark As UBR law mandates that referendums must be honored (unless another referendum contradicts the one in question) Poland and Lithuania will leave the UBR. Latvia, despite technically voting for independence, will stay under UBR sovereignty but be given more autonomy.
Oküz and Motorlu have seen their stripes as massive car manufacturers, having a close edge to even Volkswagen, a massive car company. Ranked, Motorlu would be around Number 3 in the world and Oküz would be around Number 7. That isnt to say they are weak however, they are both new brands and are skyrocketing in success, and if their success keeps going at this rate, they will surpass any East Asian manufacturer... maybe... definitely Japan since they were literally crushed by the SEU, they are so weak it would take decades to return. The influx of cars on the road has caused the SC to create a new drivers course for their drivers license, as the boost in vehicles has caused motor collision rates to jump nearly 40%. Roads are being expanded, and manufacturing plants are being built at a fast rate. There is little need to rely on Europe anymore.
To keep the SC alive forever, quality of life MUST be improved. As for water, there are tons of water treatment plants which filter water for drinking and irrigation, and sewage treatment plants. New laws have made littering or dumping into any river or water source illegal, which has proven to make the Euphrates the most clean river in the entire world. Dams have been built, coal factories are being erased, nuclear reactor technology is being researched and made safer and more efficient, and wind turbines are put in the perfect place. The desert. Open, not much stuff in the way and lots of wind, proving heavily effective. Mehmet's plot improvement program which saw land being given away for free IF improvements were seen in the land have been a mild success. Some people have made dry bushy terrain into literal oasis's, which have brought rare animal species into them. However the rate is low, and most people who go into the program are kicked out because they just never improve the land. Ashqar is renewing this, and wants dry dead bushes areas to become richer with soil and grow their own forests made by man.
Ashqar has made trophy hunting and the destruction of endangered species habitats illegal. Pre-Sunayyad history saw British explorers hunting many wild animals extinct in the MENA and west Asian regions, causing an unfortunate loneliness. Any trophy hunters or poachers will be heavily fined, and even imprisoned.
As the fall months come, RUM's election looms closer. As the year has progressed, more and more fights between the top candidate of the conservatives and the liberals have erupted. While that may be the case, the people are still split down the middle. The race is boiled down to 3 candidates at this point, the 3rd being the older 3rd party candidate who is still sticking in to help the Liberal candidate win, even though he has no chance of winning himself. Politics in RUM is at a new-level high. The economy has improved, but people do not know who to listen to as the residents were told by both sides who would "prevent" it from happening again. The Liberal candidate is saying that the first "female leader" would be nice. Some residents take to her for that, others do not due to her corrupt nature and her lack of substantive policies. (Other than finding it annoying.)
The Roman Union has entered negotiations with Germany. Since Germany was never Roman, Italy will respect them. However, Germany will do nothing if and when Austria rolls into the rest of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire with Italy helping. Nikita Khrushchev, successor of Iosif Stalin, is a prime candidate for the new PL. In any case, Austria and Hungary have made an agreement to attack the remaining Northern parts of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Czechia and Slovakia. They will recreate the Austro-Hungarian Empire and maybe go to war with TBF, but that's undecided. Note that Italy is not on board with this idea; they have no idea what the Austrians and the Hungarians are planning. They've gotten France on board, who has been persuaded by a promise that France will have an ally in the new Austro-Hungarian Empire, and will counterbalance Italy's Iberia-Netherlands-Belgium faction.
