Kalistan

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The View From Kaliburg
"Most of the world is Dark" accd. to numerous FP Analysts
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
October 13, 5599


Foreign Policy Analysts at Invited Conference of the Eastern Political Institute

The Eastern Political Institute, based in Kaliburg, Ananto, held their biennial Invited Conference to discuss Kalistani Foreign Policy.  Scholars from across the country gathered at Kaliburg Polytechnic to discuss where Kalistan and Anantonese Imperial Policy is at the turn of the century and where it can go.

The consensus at the Conference was that much of the world outside of Seleya has significantly darkened for Kalistan since the Reign of Her Imperial Majesty Empress Carolina I Ananto began.  "We have lost important contacts in Artania and Majatra," said Dr. Henry Rivers, from Sulari.  "Kundrati is completely gone, and the damage is likely irreparable.  We maintain contact with Luthori, but out contacts with other Artanian states is sporadic at best, or non-existant.  Majatra, which represented so much promise in terms of relations a generation ago, has faded almost entirely from view, as they themselves are engulfed in blazing infernos, one after another."  Relations from Dovani nations, including Lourenne, have also gone almost completely silent.  "Most of the world has gone dark," said Rivers.

"It really feels that, after such a period of expansion of Anantonese Influence abroad, a lot of that has shrunk back," said grad student Monica Conway, of Vrassa Duchy University.  "Empress Pavlina may have been 'The Black Empress' but I think we may end up looking back on her reign as the height of illumination for Kalistan's view on the globe.  Her Imperial Majesty is far more conservative, far more Seleya oriented, and far less aggressive with foreign policy internationally:  in fact, Pavlina's international orientation can be attributed to her own Artanian background, while Carolina is much more like the Anantos of the Gaduri dynasty in her approach."

A focus on Seleya isn't necessarily a bad thing.  "Some, especially those of the Nationalist faction in the National Assembly, whom most consider the Empress to be aligned with, prefer a more Seleya-first approach to foreign relations," said Dr. Mary Hanson, of Kaliburg.  "Not only does it allow us to do more, more efficiently, but there are a number of people in the foreign policy establishment who believe that Artanians and Majatrans are unreliable and mercurial and will switch sides depending on which direction the wind happens to be blowing at the time.  By contrast, Seleyan states tend to prefer deep ties and are more predictable, and therefore can be trusted to keep promises they make and work together more regularly."

Several of the scientists described the recent flurry of foreign relations activity since the installation of Her Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister George Bennots.  "We've seen a lot of interest in meeting and getting to know states Kalistan hasn't associated with in a long time," said Rivers.  "Many call it a 'fence mending tour', and I think if the Empress had her way, she would have the Foreign Minister visit each Seleyan State in turn.  She would certainly like to visit other states as well, to extend this effort."  Recently, Kalistan has visited Likatonia, Aldegar, Zardugal and Luthori, states Kalistan never would have dreamed of going to perhaps even 30 years ago. 

"We still have ambassadors from Kalistan from Zardugal, Lourenne, and Luthori, and consular exchange in a dozen other nations including Hutori, Dolgava, Kazulia, Mordusia, Aldegar, Pontesi, Narikaton, Dundorf, Beiteynu, and Vanuku," outlined Hanson.  "This is a shockingly low number of countries, especially where Dovani is concerned.  I think Her Imperial Majesty would like to upgrade the consular services in several of those countries and increase that number, but wars, ideology, and unresolved historical issues will likely prevent this unless there is either a significant shift in the world, or a change in attitude in Kaliburg.  I'd say the prior is more likely than the latter."

"It just doesn't feel like there are a lot of people out there who want to talk," said Conway.  "This will lead to reduced opportunity for international cooperation in probably the medium term, which means that we will be well into the reign of Fredrick III before things look better for the Empire abroad.  I think the Empire will need to just be fine with talking with other Seleyan Nations.  2 of the 3 nations that matter most to Kalistan in Seleya are already in as close a relationship as they can be, and as a result, Seleya is going through an unprecedented period of peace, prosperity and potential, where wars and conflict are all in far away and people at home are given the opportunity to experience full self actualization.  It may be too early to declare a Paz Anatonés, but things certainly are trending in that direction."

The Conference will release a full digest of papers presented before the various panels, and will be made available at the conference web site.

@TheRepublic