Quote:Reporting from Lodamun has described what they did for us very well. And it was critical.  The intelligence reports were vital since they told us what forces the Dufazi and the Free Brigade actually had and where they were.  We had information coming in from our military intelligence, the Internal Security Unit and General Intelligence Service but most off that was either agents gathering oral information or military nearby observations.
 
We have had some military capacity in the past but now quite a bit is old and understrength. And we have never had drones. We think we can produce them. In point of fact Defense Minister Hakim al-Afdal is talking to New Dawn Nashwa executives as we speak to see what New Dawn can do about that. Reports from the state run military corporation for equipment production are being reviewed on this subject as well.
 
But at this juncture, it was accurate military intelligence from Lodamun that allowed us to use the strength we had to bring Nashwa back from  anarchy without massive casualties.

Quote:The whole government has been focused on reuniting Nashwa with Jumhuriat al-Badara, the Defense Ministry certainly included.  With that accomplished, our military has a different mission, preventing invasion. 
 
Let us be clear, our main protection is not making enemies. We are not antagonistic to other nations great or small suggesting we know how they should change to meet our visionary standards.  We want to trade with almost everyone except a few pariahs not look for battles.
 
We are aware we have never been a super power or a great power and have been considerably stronger than we are now.  So we know we are not in a position even if we wished to do so to impose our will on someone else.
 
Even so, disputes occur. Diplomacy needs to follow.  Settling disputes if at all possible.  If we diligently try to be good citizens of Majatra and Terra and try to settle disputes as they arise, it really reduces the odds of having more than one belligerent actually attack us.
 
So our primary military focus will be on making an invasion by one enemy very costly for that enemy. If possible prohibitively so. And make it questionable for all but the strongest if it will be successful.
 
So what might we  face?  Long range heavy bombers. Could be devastating. Trigunia built some in the past that would be devastating.  But few nations including Trigunia could do much in the way of accompanying escorts so fighters is what we need to counter them.
 
What about long range ballistic missiles? We have some surface to air missile systems (SAMS) and can build more.
 
Submarine launched missiles from Sea of Majatra or South Ocean.  For that need anti submarine detection and weapons on patrol planes and frigates or destroyers.
 
Enemy air cover will pretty much be mostly limited to carrier based aircraft so more fighters will be needed to counter  that.
 
Landing craft and their supporting force would need to be met by aircraft and naval vessels armed with anti ship missiles, torpedoes, bombs and naval gunnery.
 
An enemy that got its invading force landed would need to be met with our infantry, artillery, armor, air cavalry, and ground support aircraft. And if and when we can get them, unmanned aerial combat vehicles.
 
Our general plan is for  naval assets in three ports organized as task forces, air assets in squadrons and wings under a command for each island, and a number of divisions some on each island.  At the moment we have three. We need more.  SAMS are attached to divisional assets of Army divisions. We’ll see if that is best approach. Our few surface to surface missiles are Air Force assets.
 
As you can probably see, our biggest need is more fighters and fighter bombers, and getting some drones.  Our Ministry Procurement Division is talking to New Dawn Nashwa and Badaran Military Air about what they can do; if nothing practical we will look abroad. Sometimes the price of neglect must be paid.
 
Should this primary objective become manageable we do have a secondary goal. Having the capacity to send some troops together with other nations on a worthwhile mission.  We are not there.  We would need to build either air or naval transports. But that is part of longer term concept.

Quote:The constitution forbids political parties, a head of government or a head of state.  The reason for the constitution shutting down a lot of the government was corruption.  Abolished jobs for those getting bribes.  Fine, but who paid the bribes?  The oligarchy.  So can understand why the citizens are reluctant to trust the oligarchy to start up the government again.
 
In this instance bone of contention is FRSC had Finance and Foreign Affairs Ministries. Jabbar moving to Health means Finance is open. In all honesty, when we started trying to revive the government, only two people could have put the tax, appropriations and payments system together – Mariamne al-Qassem or me.  Well we both did our part; now she wants Foreign Minister and I want to stay at Central Bank.  This is the problem.
 
So agreement could be reached or there could be competitive elections for several offices.