Kalistani Major History

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Training operation Sea Tortoise conducted without international participation
"Training waits for no nation", says Defense Minister
Bozo River AGTC, Ananto
September 1, 5322


Regular Infantry make amphibious landing at Bozo River AGTC, in Ananto during war games

The Kalistani Regular Force conducted combined arms exercises called "Operation Sea Tortoise" in and around Bozo River Air Ground Training Center throughout the month of August. This was the largest field op the Regular military conducted since Reorganization began earlier this century. The field operation and war games involved Regiment level operations and involved units of all five Field Divisions as well as the Militia, who played the role of "Americanians", who, according to the rules of engagement, invaded Kalistan from a fictional country of Americania.

"We wanted to put our Regulars to the test, " said Defense Minister Col Heather Y. Bradley. "To test not only their strength, courage under fire and tactical training, but also the new weapons systems that we are redeploying across the Republic. What better way to do it than against the Militia, who themselves require training too, representing a fake imperialist, capitalist country bent on world domination?"

Bradley said that the Bozo River facility is perfect for the type of combined arms activity that characterizes modern mechanized warfare. "Our infantry needed to remain highly mobile and flexible in dealing with the irregulars in the Militia. But that sort of adaptability is made far more difficult when you are also coordinating fire with tanks and heavy artillery. Throw in some Air on station and you really start playing four dimensional chess at that point and it also becomes a challenge for command and control. This operation was also designed as a stress test. The militia really did a number on the regulars in that department."

When asked whether foreign units had participated in the exercise, Bradley diplomatically expressed her disappointment that the war games were Kalistan only. "We put out the welcome mat for wargames. We actively tried to encourage other nations to engage on that front. This time, unfortunately that did not happen. Perhaps next time. But, as they say, Training waits for no Nation. It took a small amount of reconfiguration of the parameters of this exercise in light of other nations' failure to respond. But I'd say we did well."

The Republic was on hand to watch one unit of Regular infantry perform an amphibious landing on one of the beaches at the Bozo River facility. Our reporter was accompanied by the Defense Minister, as well as General Jesus Garcia, who was overseeing the entire exercise. "See what we have here is a Marine landing," said Garcia. "The Regular Navy maintains our Marines, who usually handle amphibious landing, but the Navy is in a support capacity this time around, and the Regular Army is conducting the landing drills. It came as a surprise that the Militia, who is playing the Americanians, isn't here to greet the Regulars, but judging by the last few days, I imagine that the Regulars are in for quite a shock when they get into those hills over there beyond the coastal road. Hopefully they are savvy enough to anticipate an ambush or 300. But we will see. The Militia has been keeping these guys up at night."

When asked why the militia is playing defender, the General was forthright: "If Kalistan is ever invaded, the Militia will likely be the first to engage the enemy. They need to know what to do too. I am curious as to why they didn't engage on the beach though, and wondering myself where this particular exercise will go." As the day went on, it became obvious what the Militia's plan was. Draw as many Regulars into the landing zone, and then hold them there, compacting them on the shore and then blowing them apart with indirect fire. General Garcia later commented: "See, what the Americanians have done is forced our Regulars to remain in the sand near the beach. You can't effectively deploy tanks or artillery in that, and just being down there is hot and exhausting, while they hold the high ground just there, see? And they are sitting up there with firebases and are raining mortars down on these guys all day." Mortar fire was simulated with flash bang that stunned but didn't hurt anyone while Artillery fire was simulated using FO Firing coordinates called into the Command HQ. By the end of the day, General Garcia adjudicated that "Today, the militia whooped the Regulars--They made it to the road, but never past. They couldn't even see the Militia's positions over the berm. But don't worry. The Regulars aren't out of this yet: Tomorrow its the Militia's turn to try and invade."

As units took turns in different combat situations, both groups said they really benefitted from the training. "This is as close to war as we will probably ever come," said Melinda Carruthers, of the RSMoK. "Kalistan has really worked pretty hard to make friends of nations who used to hate us, and right now there is no real threat on the horizons, but we still gotta stay sharp, because tensions could flare up in conflicts that we have nothing to do with, and next thing we know, some imperialist is trying to invade us. It happens." Regulars themselves also report value to the training. "Its always nice to get out in the field and fire artillery," said Cpl Kenneth Bryce, of the Ananto Regulars. "Bozo River is one of the greatest training areas in Seleya. It's so remote, we can do anything and not worry about noise ordinances or population centers or anything. Last night during a fire mission, a plane came over and dropped a 700 pound bomb like 3 miles away. We got to watch it. Seriously, it looked like a massive fireball. never saw anything like that before!"

The range at Bozo River has quieted down now, for a few months. The next major training exercise is scheduled for mid December, and meanwhile, Militia units are scheduled to cycle through Bozo River for a week at a time.

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After the very successful maritime exercises with the Beiteynuese Navy, the Royal Ministry of Defense reached out to neighboring Kalistan in an attempt to organize yet another round of naval exercises, this time with the guarantors in peace in the northern Anantonese. The Royal Ministry of Defense's recent plans for regional security revolves around the policy of the Royal Ministry of International Affairs. To keep up with national policy and to ensurethe cooperation between Lourenne and Seleya, the RMD decided it was best to reach out to Kalistan in hopes that both nations could learn new thingsfrom each other. The RMD made it clear that the continuation of more-than-amiable relations with Kalistan was a necessity, not only for Lourennais policy, but for stability in the region. Kalistan's Regular Forces have been known for their exceptionality in untraditional warfare and their expertise in guerilla strategy. The Royal Minister of Defense, Micheline Moreau contacted the Kalistani Ministry of Defense in hopes that such exercises could be organized. Positively for Moreau, the neighboring nation was more than welcoming to these exercises considering their recent exercises exposed a lack of cooperation with Kalistan.

Exercises "Ananto" were organized by the Royal Navy in consultation with the Kalistani First Fleet. The exercises, completely specialized towards navalwarfare, were conducted off the coast of Outannais in Lourennais waters. The exercises combined a mix-used strategy created by fusing Lourennais doctrine revolving around adaptability and Kalistan's more loose doctrine. The exercises made a great use of new Lourennais technology, set to be available to Kalistani counterparts. The exercises also used new radar technology under Programe Titanaboa that made location and reconnaissance services part of the exercises. Minister Moreau stated that "exercises conducted with Kalistan reinforce our relationship with them, but also reinforce our position in the near region. We are committed to peace and security in our part of the world. We would do anything to avoid tension and bad intentions with our neighboring nations." The Royal Minister stated that it was unfortunate that Kalistan could not reach international cooperation with its amphibious exercises. "As a more influential power in the region, Kalistan holds the key to cooperation in Seleya. We are more than grateful to have such a friend to our West and we will do anything in our capacity to ensure that this friendship continues--even if we only decide to play boats in this great region we share", says Moreau.

Image of Exercises Ananto released by the RMD.

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Kalistan welcomes the opportunity to conduct naval exercises with Lourenne
"Friendship is key to Anantonese security," says Defense Minister Bradley
Kaliburg, Ananto
September 20, 5322


Ontiveros Class KRS-720 "Winifred" deploys in the Lourenne Channel east of Ananto during exercises with Lourenne

The Kalistani Regular Navy received a surprise invitation to participate with its neighbor, The United Kingdom of Lourenne in a series of naval exercises over the last two weeks. This training follows up Kalistan's major training exercises at Bozo River during the month of August.

"We were informed that Lourenne was going to be operating in the seas between Ananto and Mainland Dovani and were invited to participate," said Defense Minister Colonel Heather Y Bradley, of the Regular Forces. "Of course we said yes to the opportunity to practice naval tactics with the world's premier navy. Kalistan not only got to practice naval offensive and defensive doctrine, but due to the surprise invitation, we also got to practice 48 and 24 hour alert drills as we got underweigh. We feel that this sort of opportunity is a sign of a deep and abiding friendship between our two nations, and it is that Friendship which is key to the security of the Anantonese Ocean."

Colonel Bradley described the drills: The exercises involved the 1st Fleet, stationed at Bozo River, which is the closest thing to a forward base, and works with the Second Fleet to patrol our part of the Anantonese Ocean north of Kalistan. The 1st Fleet deployed to international waters to rendezvous with elements of the 1st Fleet of the Royal Navy, and after a brief conference, proceeded to conduct wargames which pitted the smaller 1st Kalistani Regulars against the Lourennais Navy.

"We practiced quick drills, anti-submarine warfare, and surface to air combat. The Lourennais have excellent practice dummy fighters that they utilized to allow us to practice live fire, and meanwhile, they got the opportunity to practice against some of our irregular tactics at sea, including repelling interdiction and boarding efforts by pirates. The games were fraternal, and fleet captains even coordinated a night for enlisted fraternization aboard both Kalistani and Lourennais Corvettes each."

The Colonel admitted that Lourenne won the wargames: "This time," she said with a smile. "They are clearly technologically advanced and our Naval units are reformed and quite green. We made a lot of mistakes, but the thing is, we can see this as a learning opportunity, and hone our skills." The Kalistani Minister bragged a little though too, in true Republican Fashion. "I think the Lourennais also learned something from us too: Some of the people they meet in a combat situation will certainly not do things 'by the book' and that can put a snag in a carefully laid plan. Hopefully they took away the lesson that being nimble in the water and flexible in the planning room will provide them more of an opportunity to meet and positively encounter a lot of different kinds of challenges at sea. I believe we both learned from each other."

The exercise ended and both navies returned to port, with the Kalistani Flagship, Destroyer KRS-685 Bennots saluting the Lourennais Navy before disengaging and the Lourennais Flagship answering the salute with a battery of its own. Col. Bradley said she looks forward to the Next opportunity to train with Kalistan's next door neighbor. "This experience has only been positive for Kalistan."

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Kalistanis say Goodbye to Last Empress
Beloved Monarch, Last of the Imperial Family dies at 100
Eveari, Ananto
February 2, 5324


Empress Rivière and Emperor William I Ananto, at Ananto Estate in Eveari shortly before Emperor's Death

The last member of the Imperial Family has died, at the age of 100. Empress Rivière Ananto, who was born Rivière Orléans-Vassee-DeChambeau, daughter of Queen Eugenie and Prince Francois in Lourenne was laid to rest next to her late husband William I Ananto in a private ceremony attended by former nobles, Socialist Party officials, and a small handful of invited guests. With the Empress goes the last vestiges of the Imperial Period.

Rivière was the beloved but reserved Empress of Kalistan governed Kalistan as Co-Monarch along side William I, until the pair were deposed in a bloodless regime change led by The Socialist Party in 5299. Since then, Rivière has split her time between Kalistan and Lourenne, often serving a semi-official role at several national and international events including the welcoming ceremonies of the Foreign Minister of Lourenne to Kalistan. Privately, Rivière was known for her wit and her erudition: Those who knew her best called her the "fount of useless knowledge" because she could discuss nearly any subject anyone could put to her with ease, and held well informed opinions on topics ranging from philosophy to art to math and engineering, to natural sciences to music to sociology. She was called a "renaissance woman" in her life.

Rivière became the last imperial title holder upon the death of William seven years ago. Though she mourned her husband, the eulogy she delivered at his funeral was considered one of the great oratories of the modern age in Kalistan. "Citizen, Emperor, Husband: All words to describe the late William. But none come close to the word I hold dearest, my own name for him: Friend. In happy times and in dark times, he made sure that I was never forgotten, never left behind, never unappreciated. In all things I wanted to do, he was there to lift me up, and with his confidence, I was able to soar to higher heights than I ever dreamed imaginable. Though we had our difficulties too in life, as all those who are part of our chosen family do, we persisted and never gave up, and that tenacity kept us together through a dark night, or two, until the sun rose the next day. I will miss my friend," Rivière said at William's funeral.

And now the kind words are spoken about the Empress. She will remain on the estate at Eveari, and her two surviving children, William and Yvette have committed the house to be converted into a museum of the Empire, so people can view this particular period in the history of Kalistan. Additionally, it is their wish that any remaining valuables be on loan to the Historical Preservation Society in Eveari to display in the house. "Other properties are to be liquidated and the proceeds to be returned to the general fund," said Yvette, who along with Bill, are allowed to keep the family name in perpetuity, and pass it to their direct descendants. "It is the least our family can do: to return the property of the People to the People."

With the passing of Rivière, Empress of Ananto and Kalistan, the official chapter of the Empire finally comes to an end.

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Kalistan to adjust its International relations
Leaves 15 treaty regimes, while supporting principles of DeGrowth
Kaliburg, Ananto
February 8, 5325


Foreign Minister Natalie Brewer addresses Moves in Kalistan's Foreign Policy

"While the new list of recognized treaties do not shift our commitments significantly," said Foreign Minister Natalie Brewer today, "This treaty reduction does represent a general housecleaning that goes on from time to time in Kalistan." The Foreign Minister was referring to new set of bills aimed at reducing the number of treaties that Kalistan remains as a signatory on.

Most of the treaties we are abrogating are either ones where Kalistan is the sole signatory or ones with bilateral arrangements with other countries that are covered in our own General Friendship Agreement," said the Top Foreign Service Officer today in Kaliburg. "We do not need a bilateral treaty with a particular country that says exactly the same thing we say in our own General friendship accord. If those countries wish to remain in those arrangements with Kalistan, they should sign our diplomatic treaty. But the fact that we long ago signed their treaty while they did not return the favor and sign ours sort of tells Kalistan what we need to know about that relationship."

Other treaties Kalistan is abandoning are long standing treaties which are covered else where by more comprehensive agreements. "For example: We has a treaty about the protection of wild animals which bound our nation to not hunt endangered animals. And then we had a more comprehensive treaty which talked about natural conservation and also bound our nation to not hunting endangered animals. So we went with the more comprehensive Natural conservation treaty, and scrapped the more specific one."

Probably the more important treaty being abandoned is the long standing Kalistan-Lodamun Naval Cooperation Treaty which Kalistan signed with Lodamun hundreds of years ago but which Lodamun has since abandoned. "We communicated with contacts in the Lodamun Government who expressed no immediate interest in rejoining that agreement, so it was easy to abrogate it on this side," said Brewer. "No point in our binding ourselves to a partner who don't even know that we have bound ourselves to them." The Foreign Minister expressed optimism that a new Naval Cooperation Treaty might be concluded, but did not give any details.

"However, we are also supporting, in principle, the Reissued Yamashima DeGrowth Statement (YDS2), which will align us with zero-growth and degrowth economies across Terra," said Brewer. "Kalistan's zero-Growth measures are sited in the treaty itself. Working with others to make this a more common way of economic organization seems to be an excellent idea."

The Foreign Minister did not rule out additional treaty paring to come, but say a net negative 14 is enough for now. Both bills are expected to pass easily by the end of September.

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Defense Minister delivers Kalistani Readiness Report
Regular Force stands at 71% readiness
Bozo Rover CATC, Ananto
February 25, 5325


LtCol Heather Y. Bradley, Kalistan's Defense Minister, speaking highly of the 1st Regular Fleet's exceptional readiness

The Kalistani Regular Force is 71% ready to meet demands of Kalistani Strategic and Tactical Defense. This was the conclusion of the Kalistani Readiness Review, a new 5 year report that has been implemented at the Ministry of Defense within the last three years. "Some will look at that number and say 'a Low C' is no way to defend a nation," said Defense Minister Col Heather Y. Bradley. "But they do not consider a number of factors that went into our evaluation which I would like to share with the Republic. This is not to put an optimistic shine on mundane scores: We still do have a number of issues with our readiness which I aim to focus on in the coming two years. However: Considering where we have come from and compared to our closest potential rivals, 71% means we will survive most battles in tact, and in line with our defensive national security doctrine, that is the direction we ought to be headed."

Over the last two years, Defense Minister Bradley has been systematically grading Kalistani Regular units based on a number of rigorous criteria: Readiness for Combat operations within 48 and 24 hours, serviceability of combat weaponry and systems, completeness of complement, tactical innovation in combat wargames, tactical competency in a warlike situation, conformity to strategic mission, physical fitness, command and control infrastructure, and battlefield logistics. "Over all, Force-wide we scored 71.085% on a weighted scale of those criteria," said the Defense Minister. "Our strengths are in readiness, serviceability, innovation, and physical fitness. Areas for improvement are primarily in completeness, C&C, and logistics. These trouble spots will hinder our ability to carry on heavily coordinated battle field operations over a long war, and will be the focus of procurement and training going forward."

The Defense Chief singled out the 1st Fleet of the Regular navy for commendation: "This unit scored the highest in all categories except physical fitness," said Col. Bradley. "They also receive additional marks for their combat readiness drills which were outside of 1 standard deviation from the norm: Needless to say, the 1st Fleet has distinguished itself as a fast response team in the even of an impending combat situation, and gives us some illumination as to their evolving strategic role in the Anantonese Ocean." The 1st Fleet is stationed at Bozo River CATC and recently participated in joint exercises with the United Kingdom of Lourenne.

Lt. Colonel Bradley summarized the Republic's prospects in war. "We do face some challenges and some limitations, especially compared to more technologically advanced adversaries. However, let me also add a special note. A data point that does not make its way into our report is the variable of the Militia. I wouldn't have any idea how to appropriately score the Militia, using this scale. That said, they do offer a very important component to our nation's military readiness: The Militia can be relied upon, both the spar against for the regulars, but also to add strength to our Regular force. It will be militias who set up the first fire lines and will fire the first artillery barrages during any invasion. Their job when nationalized is not only to take the first life fire shots and regrettably, casualties, while the Regular force is spun up, but then to switch to their more traditional role as destroyers of enemy will to fight.

"While regulars sleep in their fire bases, the Militia will be out at night harassing the enemy, denying him sleep, engaging in hit and run battles against the forward vanguard of an advancing column of enemy soldiers, to blind them and to deny them confidence to continue to march. They will be the ones behind enemy lines destroying communications infrastructure, and logistics infrastructure, to starve, deafen, and disorient the enemy, and reduce his morale to the point that the enemy demands to return home and shoots any enemy officer who stands in the way. That is the job of the militia in combat. To do everything the laws of war do not allow our Regular Forces to do. They may act outside the bounds of 'respectable' warfare, but the sort of qualified immunity the possess within the Republic during times of war, should give our enemies that much more reason to pause and rethink their decision to attack Kalistan. Informally, it boosts our combat readiness appreciably."

The Socialist Party welcomed the report: Analysts thought it would come in lower, which would have called into question the Government's seriousness about procurement and refitting. "It has long been a goal of our government, through many an administration, to bring the military up to date," said Xavier Cortes, Deputy from Yoshimi. "And so far, each and everyone, Socialist and other, has failed to even get close to fulfilling their promise. It would appear that this Administration is at least trying, and I for one stand behind the efforts."

The Next Readiness report is due in 5 years, with the current 5 year plan for modernization ending in two, and then following the first three years of the next plan for modernization. Bradley said she anticipates higher numbers once changes from this Report have been implemented.

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Kalistan to Establish Intelligence Service
Aims to expand intelligence role beyond traditional limitations
Kaliburg, Ananto
March 30, 5326


Kalistani Foreign Minister enroute to Press Conference where she announced new Spy Bureau

The Kalsitani Government this week proposed the establishment of the Republican Bureau of Security Information. The Foreign Minister, who will ultimately oversee the building and operation of the new intelligence bureau, gave a brief statement today to announce the formation of the Agency and the expansion of Kalistan's role in intelligence gathering.

"Kalistan has long reacted to events around the globe, or has generally ignored them, as it suits our Government. We do not have the ability however, to know whether the intelligence we get overseas is of any use to Kalistan. Let alone the ability to bend affairs to conformity and consonance with Kalistani interests. The establishment of a new Security Information Bureau will allow us not only to have eyes and ears in countries overseas, especially those who have taken an interest in Kalistan, but to also assist in the influencing of the direction of foreign policy directed at Kalistan. The RBSI expands our role from simple intelligence collection operations to a deeper level of signals and human intelligence, as well as permitting coordination with the Regular Force and the Militia to strengthen Kalistani Defense. And of course, we also seek to work with agencies of other friendly nations on intelligence sharing, to help improve regional and continental security."

The Foreign Minister took questions following the brief statement. When asked about the organization of the Bureau, specifically the Department of Special Services, one reporter noted that it looked like the legislation gave the Republic the power to intervene in elections, support dissident groups and help overthrow governments. "The Republic doesn't support regime change," said the Foreign Minister. "Occasionally, we will see a candidate who promises to work on a change in a particular government's orientation toward Kalistan. It would benefit us if that candidate won and changed policy direction. Why would we not do what we could to help that particular candidate win an election? This does not amount to regime change. It is instead about providing our Republic the advantages abroad that any government seeks for itself: That is policy consonance and peaceful friendly interaction abroad."

Another reported asked about the Department of Public Information, and more specifically, whether this equals a propaganda bureau that will propagandize the Kalistani people. "Absolutely not," said Minister Brewer. "But we also do need the ability to send messages to both our friends and potential adversaries abroad, to let them know what the Kalistani Government is doing in a credible fashion. We seek to deploy this Intelligence bureau to eliminate any security dilemma we may have in the Republic: If we know what another nation is doing, we can decide from a position of information, rather than from one of darkness and ignorance. But we will also want others to know what we are doing too: The last thing the Republic needs is to be conducting some exercise somewhere and have another government misperceive our actions. We will need to be able to communicate to them in a way they will believe and can trust. The is the goal of the department."

The Foreign Minister elaborated upon the expanded role of the Intelligence agency. "Kalistan prides itself on a tradition of innovation in tactics. The Regular Force retains its primacy in strategic doctrine, but we also seek to develop additional capacity on the battlefield: both the battlefield that is on our soil and the battlefield that is overseas. It is better to fight the battle before the battle ever arrives in Kalistan. And if it ever does, we are ready for it. We should not take any tactic off the table: Kalistan's defense is an all of the above strategy. Why build the agency now? one may ask. We have decided that at this moment in time, Kalistan does not have any enemies. We are either at peace with the whole world, or do not register in their affairs. This would be the point where we should build this agency- It is better to have it when war comes than to need to build it then and cultivate our assets when the security situation is not ideal."

The Minister concluded her remarks. Following the announcement, The Republic conducted a brief poll of readers concerning the founding of the Intelligence Bureau. Of those who heard the news, 38% were in favor of the creation of a stronger, more comprehensive service, 29% were opposed, and 31% thought that Kalistan should retain its traditionally limited role. 2 percent said they didn't care. The bill is expected to pass in November of this year.

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Sulari Band Seizure joins Noise Alternative
Debut Album "The Return of..." trends more Alternative than Noise
Sulari, Suldanor
September 12, 5326


Sulari's Seizure debuts their new Noise Alternative Album on KMI

Seizure's debut album "The Return of..." is the latest entry of the Noise Alternative subgenre to hit Number 1 on the Radio 1 Hot Albums chart, finally knocking the Queens of Surf's third album "Sugar Fits" out of the top spot, where it had sat for the last 6 weeks. Seizure, a Sulari Quartet who actually recorded their Noise Alternative album in Kaliburg, and released it on KMI tends to adopt a more alternative sound for their entry than fellow genre-mates.

"We use a lot of distortion and feedback and harmonics and everything," said lead singer, rhythm guitarist and primary songwriter Roger Capelli. "But I think one thing that separates us is that we are just dudes who play table top RPGs and listen to loud music. But like I want some more melody in my music. I like the noise, I like the dissonance, but I also like that poppy kind of edge." Seizure's music has been described as bending toward emotionally charged hard rock. "Nah, we're still of the alternative variety. If we ever sell out and go Pop&B, you have our permission to shoot us. But we do like singing, rather than yelling. That's a lot more fulfilling to me, to us, and probably to a whole group of music listeners out there too."

Themes that Seizure deal with on their debut album include travel and fun in the sun, frustration and infatuation, dreams, family and sibling rivalry, and alcohol and drug abuse. The record reflects a maturing of the genre along with its initial wave of fans. "I suppose most of the fans of this type of music are about our age," said Capelli. "We grew up with Noise Alternative, and now a whole generation of kids, people who are starting to buy music, they have known only loud music on the radio. I suppose sooner or later, there will be a reaction." For now, Seizure is continuing to aim for blown out speakers and melted brains. "Yeah, we got plenty of that on the record too," said Capelli. "But like I said, we also went for melody too. Our riffs are like these monster riffs, but we do have the whole quiet verse, loud chorus thing going on too."

When asked about the title of the album, Capelli said "Yeah, we never really went anywhere. I think its kind of more like a return to form for music in general. It's kind of a boast for us, but also a comment on the state of music. In this way, we're bringing music a bit back to the center, while bands Codeine and GDMF's were kinda way out there. So its more of a return of a more mainstream Rock than we've seen in the Republic for a while."

Check out the first single from "The Return of..." from Seizure, titled "The Workers are Going Home",

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b45rzwIBS_Y]

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Spotlight on Yoshimi
Sleepy Suldanor Metropolis features "Beach Culture"
Yoshimi, Suldanor
July 8, 5327


Yoshimi, Suldanor, at the mouth of the meandering Yoshimi River has risen from surrounding swampland to become Kalistan's Resort Town

Kalistan is a very diverse nation: from year round snow caps on the highest mountains of Neveras, to the rainy, misty deep mountain valleys of Ananto to the sundrenched beaches of Suldanor, Kalistan offers a little something for everyone. One area that does not get enough coverage is the marshy brackish area around Kalistan's frontier with Baltusia. Part of the ancient kingdom of Vintalli, the three regions of Yoshimi, Lucid, and New Vintalli host the massive Lucid Morass, full of mangrove forests, marshlands, wild and dangerous animals and mosquitos. The swamp is caused primarily by the flatness of the land, which at its highest point, is not more than 10 feet above sea level, combined with the relatively high volume of water and silt that arrives from the mountain fed Lucid River further up stream. Once the regular stream of water arrives at the flat land, over which it has to travel more than 150 miles, it slows way down and floods: The Lucid Morass is essentially a flooded delta that spans thousands of square miles. Lucid City was built upon a steep rise, and is considered the first land along the course of that river which does not flood regularly.

Just north of the Morass lies Yoshimi. Though Yoshimi sits on land that is almost as low as the Lucid Morass, the Yoshimi River moves just fast enough to drain into the sea without flooding the land regularly. The Yoshimi River above Yoshimi the city meanders through rich soil, changing course annually, creating cutoffs and pinhooks all along its lower course, but Yoshimi City sits on firmer ground, which has allowed this city to escape many natural disasters and become a metropolis in Southern Suldanor. Considered "Suldanor's Second City", Yoshimi is both home to Kalistan's Third Fleet of naval Regulars that patrols the Southern Limit of the Ananto Strait, as well as a wonderful beach culture that has grown up underneath an abundance of sun (on average more than 240 days a year of sun), pleasant year round temperatures (varying annually from 51-76, and rarely exceeding 83 or going below 45 on the coldest nights), and lots and lots of water. This combination of factors makes Yoshimi one of the primary resort towns in the Republic.

Yoahimi is a city that works! For centuries, the largest economic activity in the Yoshimi area was petroleum exploitation. KALNAPECO had numerous offshore drilling rigs, and Yoshimi was a port that tankers were stationed while waiting for cargo. Yoshimi is also a major international shipping port, with cargo arriving and leaving daily to central and southern Seleya and Dovani. Ships originating in Yoshimi travel as far Majatra for trade. Following the general winding down of most operations of KALNAPECO around 5000, Yoshimi's main employer became AeroKal, whose Yoshimi Campus produces nearly all civilian aircraft and avionics in the Republic, for domestic and international consumption. The AeroKal factory employs thousands of Yoshimi residents directly, and follow-on tens of thousands in the service sector to support that economic activity.

Yoshimi has also supported a relatively large agricultural sector that really began developing following significant capital investment from Indrala about 600 years ago. Since then, Yoshimi's hinterland has become a major producer of rice and tropical fruits and vegetables like yam, guava, pineapple, bananas, and callaloo. The areas around Yoshimi are also major republican sources of bamboo, tarrow and palm oil, and raw rubber, which is processed in rubber plants north of Yoshimi, and provides the primary source of rubber in Kalistan and Northern Seleya. Finally, Yoshimi is a high-tech center. The company Yoshimi Salts, which is based in Yoshimi, maintains operations in High Bong, working with KALNAFERCO to reclaim lithium from mine tailings, as well as an operation near Yoshimi extracting trace lithium from evaporated sea water. That lithium extracted by YS not only supplies the batteries for the consumer electronics created at KalMD's Yoshimi factory, but also helps KALENCON power the fusion generators that supply a majority of the power in Kalistan.

Due to an abundant amount of economic activity in and around Yoshimi, the city has attracted workers from all over Kalistan and the World. Yoshimi is known as a cosmopolitan city, with influences not only from Kalistan itself, but Baltusia, Gaduridos, Indrala, Tukarali, and Aldegar. This international influence in Kalistan makes Yoshimi probably the most international of all cities. Cuisine and music tastes reflect the embrace of multi-culturalism within the city. On any block you can find Indralan restaurants next to Majatran influenced food stands, next to Gaduri Pastie shops. You can hear the flourishes of many different styles of music in Yoshimi, which is the home of KME and the hometown of La Tienda Disco Records, as well as some of the biggest pop and alternative bands in Kalistan's History. Yoshimi was a regular host of the GanJam and Kalistani Sunsplash Reggae Festival, as well as the Yoshimi Pop Film Festival. At any of these events, Kalistan can see and hear the world beyond our borders.

When Yoshimi isn't working, Yoshimi is playing. Surfing and boating are two of the most central free time activities in Yoshimi. Yoshimi is on par with Sulari as the surfing capital of the Republic, because though Yoshimi Bay doesn't tend to lend to huge and dangerous waves, the multitude of surfable waves and long stretches of coastine attract surfing competitions to Yoshimi's sunny warm waves. Championship professional surfer Dianne Brinson is a regular on Yoshimi's beaches. "In a lot of places, the surfing depends on the weather: Some days you will have big waves, and some days you will have flat, glass like seas. But here at Yoshimi, the waves depend more on tidal forces. At least twice a day, when the tide is coming in, the waves pick up and you can surf for a good three or four hours at a time. And that's every day. Twice a day. So- you will see a lot of technical riders out here. People doing board tricks, carving it up as much as possible, doing different sorts of things on their boards to stand out. Because you won't get huge waves out here that can kill you, so you can really just kind of take it easy, relax and get real good." Surfers like Brinson, who are based out of Yoshimi, are some of the best surfers in the world simply because they spend so much time on the water.

Dianne Brinson, Yoshimi Surfer

Boating is also a huge sport and popular hobby in Yoshimi. Several measures passed in the Yoshimi City's government to encourage watercraft production and usage have led to public marinas, incredibly inexpensive boat rentals, and regular boating classes. "People here particularly enjoy sailing," said Harbor Master Brian Willoughby. "Motorized craft aren't permitted near the public beaches and surfing spots, but wind-powered craft are, and so people naturally gravitate towards those vessels. Our most popular is the 3-person sloop. It's a great, safe craft for intermediate sailors to get out on the water and zip around the bay. But my personal favorite is the trimaran." In fact, Yoshimi is known in the Republic for its annual trimaran races, which test individuals on endurance, agility, and speed, and is part of a unique ironman triathalon which also involves biking and running.

When Yoshimi residents are not in the water, they are near the water. Yoshimi boasts a seven mile long white sand beach which is daily filled with sunworshippers and people having a great time playing beach volleyball, having cookouts, and playing loud music. The beach facility is staffed fulltime, and due to the weather, is open year round, though in the winter it usually considered a little too cold to lay about in a swim suit. There are regular concert venues and bars along the beach for people who want to catch a national touring act or drink, and a whole beach subculture has grown up around the most popular music and alcohol venues that is unique to Yoshimi. This scene has fostered a number of national music acts including The Yoshimi 6, Madysin Shakespeare, ska band Best of Everything, KME singer Maria "La Mala" Castro, sunshine pop band 10 Foot Tall, Blues Rock band The Smoke Brothers, and Grit Band Petroshine Guides.

Yoshimi features an excellent public transportation system based on electric busses that serve all neighborhoods, a thriving downtown center featuring shops, boutiques, coffee houses, music venues, museums and galleries, and restaurants which have been in business for thousands of years, and an excellent public education system (ranked 3rd best in the Republic behind Sulari and Kaliburg). Yoshimi is also home to The University of Kalistan, as well as a national Football team, The Yoshimi Dragons. The crime rate in Yoshimi is about on par with all major cities in Kalistan, with less individual property crime and personal crime and a slightly higher level of commercial crime. Corruption is low, thanks to efforts of the Yoshimi Government to root out official corruption from the City Government several hundred years ago and annual studies thereafter listing areas where corruption is costing the local economy being conducted by an independent anti-corruption task force that is elected by the citizens and answering to the District Government. Major challenges for Yoshimi include a need to update antiquated economic and civic infrastructure in the town, repeatedly frustrated demands for city beautification, and environmental issues caused by heavy industry near Yoshimi, including one site 15 miles inland which contains major pollution and is listed as "not for cultivation or habitation" due to ground water contamination.

Issues aside, Kalistanis still flock to Yoshimi, especially during the winter months, to relax in the warm sun and watch beautiful people walk up and down the beach. It is an intoxicating, alluring environment that encourages people to just sit back, let their hair down and take it easy. That is the Yoshimi Attitude: Problems can wait for another day.

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RailSul completes first highspeed track between Sulari and Dana
Signals beginning of new monumental infrastructure Building period
Sulari, Suldanor
August 15, 5327


RailSul's new line from Sulari to Dana offers up to 40 passengers the chance to make the 85 mile trip in just under 20 minutes

RailSul, the public-private partnership between RailKalistan and various Kalistani investors, including KalEnCon, has inaugurated passenger and commuter service between Sulari and Dana. The rail uses the new magnetic levitation technology that the Republic has been working over the last 10 years, and can propel the train on a single track at speeds over 290 miles an hour.

"We are super excited to begin operating this train system," said RailSul Chief of Development Ron Reynolds. "With this service, we can operate three trains an hour, both to and from Dana, each carrying up to 40 passengers. This will open up whole new opportunities for commuters, shoppers and travelers. And it is just the beginning. RailSul is coordinating with Odufaray and Vrassa to build a network that covers these three districts, and aims to stretch one day between Port Swedes and Yoshimi. We obviously are not there right now: This track covers a mere 85 miles. But it is a start and as this route becomes profitable, we will launch our next round of capital generation to Bisstec and Ulsur City in the south and Kluptoon to Dana's north.

The technology behind MagLev trains involves superconductor magnets maintained at low temperatures

Reynolds explained the technology behind the MagLev trams. "It would be easy to describe these trains as a box with 4 magnets sitting over two long magnetic strips. But this would not be entirely accurate. It is slightly more complicated than this. For example, the magnets require super cooling to maintain their conductivity- Developing this technology required significant assistance from KalEnCon. While we were beginning our experiments with magnetic levitation, other countries around the world, like Indrala, Talmoria, Solentia, Hobrazia and etc had all developed, at one point or another the technology. It is widely available but it requires a fairly massive investment in infrastructure. Kalistan's time has come: We have the technology, we have the infrastructure investment, and we have the political will to move forward with this monumental project." The construction of the 85 miles of track between Sulari and Dana cost RailSul close to 8.2 billion KRB to build. "That number is daunting," said Reynolds, "especially when you consider that Mainland Kalistan is close to 20 times that length, and that's assuming a straight line, which Kalistan is not. Fully capitalized, a single line from Port Swedes to Yoshimi would cost the Republic about 100 billion KRB to complete the project, which is why we have split it up over 30 years, and are welcoming private capital investment to cover the other 61 billion that the rail system will need to complete this project."

Reynolds however remained optimistic. "Sticker shock aside, we will see real economic benefits to both Sulari and Dana from the completion of this line, as well as returns on the investment. We can keep prices reasonable through generous price supports, to allow commuters to utilize this line, and will begin turning a profit in year three, we anticipate, based on usage projections. Additionally, we could incur cost savings once the NSP gets up to speed on construction, which will significantly reduce costs of construction. It is a big project, but it is not impossible. It is now no longer even improbable."

The new RailSul Sulari-Dana line opened a week ago and is already operating at about 40 percent max capacity, with round trip tickets running at about 120 KRB per, and monthly unlimited use passes selling for about 2200KRB. The cost is relatively less expensive than commuter airlines which transport hundreds of passengers a week between Dana and Sulari, and may have to consider lowering prices to compete with the train. The ticket cost of the Dana-Sulari line is expected to dramatically decrease as more users begin using it, and could go as low as 70 KRB, with monthly unlimited use passes coming in around 1500 KRB for round trip by the beginning of next year.