Luthori

[Ligbruderkrieg]

Self-determination or annexation: the War in Keris' difficult choice for the future.
November 5684

The war in Keris is over. And with it, the continent enters a period of uncertainty, with the definition of peace varying between the different victorious powers. Kalistan, Egelion and Nadiya, all allied together in order to defeat the military junta in power in the country, but after it? These powers are viciously dividing themselves and any attempt at stabilisation and future co-prosperity might be hindered by imperialist and self-sufficient gains. 

Of course, it all begun as a simple, and noble endeavour, with Egelion, alongside Nadiya, in direct reaction to the infamous Nepolesti massacre, where numerous people were killed or injured, among them, some Egelians, declared war on New Endralon and Kizenia, following this action, New Endralon and Kizenia's military government declared an "anti-imperialist struggle" against both Egelion and Nadiya, the latter having previously declared war on New Endralon and Kizenia, after an incident involving a Lesnovian fishing boat. 

Following these declarations of war, coupled with an insurgency within New Endralon and Kizenia, formed by the Freedom and Independence Army (FIA/ALI/ASFH), led to a three-year long conflict where the Kalistanis intervened in Egelion and Nadiya/Trigunia's favour, ending in a victory for the coalition forces, as the military government officially surrendered to coalition forces on August 5th, 5683. With peace restored to the broken nation, all would point towards a quick transitional regime led by the FIA and the restoration of New Endralon and Kizenia's democratic system of governance. At least, that was thought at the origin, but as the lack of a peace resolution two years after the war and the Nadiyan/Trigunians not-so-subtly hiding their possible interest at an annexation of NEK lands, peace remains an illusion, two years after fighting officially ceased.

But, while all parties are working for the construction of a new peaceful order in Keris, the divide between powers couldn't have been more apparent. Kalistan rejected a preliminary peace plan, on the grounds that there wasn't "much guarantees" that NEK would remain an independent nation going forward in the post-war world. Egelion's peace proposal required NEK to become a monarchy with the King of Egelion as its head of state, while also seeing the eastern behemoth annexing some territories.

Now, most of the world is asking itself, was this war for liberation or for fullfying imperial ambitions?

This opinion was built in order to defend territorial and popular sovereignty above all else. And, we argue that it's important that nations be given proper representation at the peacebuilding process, especially when concerning their own future. We do not doubt that any of the involved powers will be, with increased collaboration on the peacebuilding process, building a more peaceful continent of Keris.

Egelion's government announced a peace conference in Norterra, where every side of the conflict has been invited to discuss NEK's future. A great advancement, but the lingering threat of imperialism coming from previous declaration of diplomatic officials still grow heavy on the discussions. As of now, however, observers remarks that all powers involved remains committed to the preservation of peace, stability and NEK's independence and self-determination.

Some have argued, that this situation is comparable to the situation in the Holy Land, formerly known as Beiteynu, but to receive a coherent answer to these accusation, I have to direct you to an Istalian newspaper (foreign policy review: Equilibri Globali), whose article on the question is available in Luthorian: A "crusade for freedom" turned into a territorial partition?.

Of course, it should be reminded that, if great powers acts in a way that set up a precedent that carving up smaller countries is alright, then our current world order, holding by the principles of international law and precedent, will be forever changed.