Kalistan

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Does Kalistan need its own carriers?
Some say it might be time
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
January 14, 5736


The hull of a new cruiser is laid in at Kaliburg National Naval Shipyards last summer

Opinion
We at The National are not afraid to speak the truth when it hits us in the face. The recent absentminded and poorly planned provocations by yet another unnecessarily aggressive imperialist state, this time the Empire of Luthori, have rattled the gates of Kalistani Naval Doctrine, known as Fortress Kalistan, once again. It would seem that the nations of the world do not take Kalistani warnings to stay away very seriously. Everyone feels the need to test Kalistani resolve in the Anantonese Ocean for no reason at all. So we will of course explicitly state that the Nationalists of Kalistan absolutely and unequivocally stand in support and solidarity with His Imperial Majesty, Emperor William II Ananto's swift response and unwavering resolve to maintain Kalistani power within our region.

This is our region, we would remind the Artanians. They have no business here, they were not invited here, and they are not needed here. We don't position aircraft carrier attack groups directly off their main forward bases. That is a direct and flagrant provocation to our Nation and to our people. It is a threat to our National Security. If Luthori was a valued ally, or hell... even a partner on any level in security, the conversation might be different. But Luthori is ambivalent, at best toward Kalistan. Is now and always has been. They have shown zero interest in partnering with Kalistan to work for a common cause for nearly 100 years. We would have to look back to the Kundrati invasion to see evidence of Kalistan and Luthori working together on anything at all, and then it was for Luthori's glory, not for any sense of mutual partnership or allyship.

That's fine. We don't work with Luthori on much of anything. We don't have any reason to. They don't seek our opinion on any matter, nor do they offer their own. Much to our Emperor's dismay: It is known that he did at one point look forward to the idea of closer relations with the country. Which makes this provocation, which comes clear out of the blue, so incredibly confusing in Kaliburg, and therefore alarming. When alien nations act in erratic ways, especially where naval power is concerned, and especially where the Anantonese Ocean is concerned, Kaliburg understandably gets jumpy. What are their plans? Why are they here? What is their long range goals? Without any kind of consultation, we have no way of knowing. Kalistan's response comes from a long history of Artanian disregard for Kalistan's position in the seas and the implicit and explicit threats inherent in the deployment of aggressive military weaponry into our neighborhood without any regard whatsoever for any possible response. Its this cavalier disregard for Kalistan that irks our government more than any thing else diplomatically and leads to so many conflicts our nation finds itself in. It is flippant disrespect for sovereignty at its core. A fine display for someone claiming to care about the stability of some imagined "international order" as Luthori does.

But Luthori's claims to be picking up some responsibility that was apparently Egelion's, but which they laid down as a result of their withdrawal from world affairs is ridiculous on its face. The Security of the Anantonese Ocean was never Egelion's problem to begin with, as the deployment of their forces demonstrated. Their focus was further south and in Dovani. Kalistan was, and still is, the dominant force between Keris and Indrala and the Canrillais states to the South. That has never been questioned or seriously challenged. We are now as we have been for centuries. So why is Luthori parking a nuclear powered Aircraft carrier Group right in active sonar range of Kalistan's main southern Fleet? What is the reason they are doing this and why are they doing it now, if their primary justification bears no water because it is based on absolutely ridiculous opening premises?

Who knows? Who cares. They do not bother to communicate anything to Kalistan. So. It is what it is. And we are left to respond. And what then would be a legitimate response? Should the Emperor just allow our navy to be tested in this fashion? Some nationalists are saying no. Prominent nationalist scholar and President of the Port Swedes Nationalist Club, Dr. Martha Crenshaw says perhaps it is time for Kalistan to begin building its own aircraft carriers and answering provocation for provocation.

"In Foreign Policy, its called tit for tat. You do this, I do something similar in response. Its a risky mirroring strategy that can lead either to war or to deterrence," says Crenshaw. "If you know I am going to respond to X action with Y response every time, you now have a choice to make with full information. If you are not sure what I will do, as in, my deterrence threat is not credible, you may try to test me. This is precisely what Luthori is doing right now. They clearly do not believe that Kalistan will respond. Kalistan's response is measured, but it is credible, and Luthori can ignore that to their own peril. But they shouldn't. If I was Fort William, I would have my highest level diplomats on a plane immediately to Kaliburg to try to smooth this out, because Luthori can be sure that Kalistan is deadly serious. And this is our backyard: We do not have to move material and ships across half a world to address problems like they must. They would have as easy a time fighting a sustained conflict in this region as they would on the moon."

Crenshaw has advocated that, sans a credible commitment by the Empire of Luthori to restore the fabric of stability that their unilateral moves have utterly ripped through, Kalistan should begin building its own carriers, to put credible threats into Luthorian territory. "Nations think that because they possess projection capabilities, that means 1) they are free to use them without any kind of cost to them whatsoever, and 2) they SHOULD use them whenever and where ever they want for no reason whatsoever. We saw this with the ultramilitarism in Egelion before it went quiet, and we see this with all world powers who have a pretense to being global guarantors of some imagined international order that they themselves are the author and sole beneficiaries of. Perhaps Kalistan should get into this game as well, even if it means answering direct threat with direct threat. Even if it means putting our aircraft carriers into international waters directly opposite Fort William in the Artanian Sea. To let them feel how Kaliburg feels when their carriers get to close too our capital."

Crenshaw says that Kalistan could cynically exploit international norms to its own advantage if it wants. "There are international laws governing laws of the sea. Most of the Artanian Sea is international waters, where ships may sail unmolested as they please. Modern aircraft make those laws utterly ridiculous: They were made in the time of sail, for the age of musket and ball. But nonetheless, if Luthori is going to rest its claim on free transit of the international waterways and they feel that they should be able to discount the complaints of those who are threatened by their doing so, they have to accept that when others do it to them as well. There is no double standard in international law. No laws for thee but not for me. If you threaten others, its only fair that you feel threatened too. If you don't like it, stop threatening others and stay in your own water. As Kalistan has."

Granted, any Kalistani carriers produced would not necessarily produce equity with modern super carriers. "Modern super carriers are all nuclear powered. They are hugely expensive to operate and carry dozens of combat aircraft. The firepower of one carrier group is immense, but its per day operating cost is also extravagant, and grows exponentially larger the further it gets from home, even if it has supply bases locally. Kalistan has a prohibition against nuclear weaponry, including nuclear powered naval vessels, which of course, will put Kalistan at a disadvantage. The parity comes in other assets acting in tandem." But equity is not necessarily the point. "The point is more symbolic, I think: If you bring your military weaponry to Kalistan, Kalistan will bring their military weaponry to you. And if you claim liberal norms like International Law and International Order, just know that you will be expected to live by those same norms and rules when others apply them to you."

But also, added Crenshaw, "Kalistan has demonstrated in the past, most recently in Likatonia and Kundrati, that they do not believe international law exists, and do not feel similarly constrained to live by the laws others set for the world. It might not be so easy to ignore Kalistani deterrents when they are wasting civilian infrastructure, and there is no international body capable of restraining them or shaming them into compliance with rules set by other people."

As of press time, there are currently no plans to build an aircraft carrier in Kalistan, though if nationalists like Ms. Crenshaw have their way, that could change rapidly.

@TheNational

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Major breakthroughs in Xsampa and Gaduridos announced
"Luthori quiere probarnos los huevos, while others want to make deals," says Ontiveros
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
March 2, 5736


FM Sir Miguel Ontiveros announces deals with Xsampa and Gaduridos

His Imperial Majesty's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sir Miguel Ontiveros, announced new breakthroughs with both Xsampa and Gaduridos amid the deepening Schismatic Sea Crisis. The announcement came early this week, as teams have returned from both countries. "Luthori quiere probarnos los huevos, while others want to make deals. We have concluded a major investment deal with Xsampa which will guarantee us an ample supply of raw cotton fiber and milled cotton cloth to begin supplying the domestic market," said Sir Ontiveros. "Miramar and several other interests have announced that they have secured the rights to invest in the Xsampan industry which is just getting started."

According to the Foreign Minister, Kalistani investors, including Miramar, will put money into both ginning facilities to process the cotton and mills which will create cotton textiles. In addition to this massive investment, which will hopefully inspire additional Xsampan investment in the industry, Kalistan hopes to return 85% of any profits realized from the investments to the Xsampan Governments to promote various social programs for the people of the cotton growing regions. Finally, KALNATEXCO will create a guaranteed buyer program to ensure that farmers can sell their crops. "This deal will insure our nation not only cotton textiles which will be turned into clothing for Kalistani consumers, but also cotton fibers that we hope to blend with our own local fibers for more durable, light weight clothes. It also helps the growers in Xsampa and we hope it will further strengthen the cooperation between our two nations and open possible new avenues for trade." The cotton deal joins earlier successes to restore gem sales to Kalistan and aluminum sales to Xsampa.

The deal concluded with Gaduridos however, has longer reaching implications. "We can also announce that late last month, negotiations with Gaduridos were concluded that will ultimately lead to the restoration of Gaduri sovereignty over Bentasur." The announcement was booed by the Nationalist Minority in the National Assembly. The Foreign Minister needed to ask for the Sergeant at Arms to restore order on the floor. "Deputies, the day has been coming for a very long time-- it was ordained the minute we lowered the Anantonese Imperial Standard in Ciudad de Gadur. But the time has finally arrived to renegotiate our position on the base, and its happening whether the Nationalists like it or not. Because the Emperor has decided that it needs to happen if we hope to rebuild any kind of relationship with the Southern Kingdom."

The Foreign Minister said a comprehensive roadmap between Kalistan and Gaduridos was signed which first and foremost commits both nations to the principle of restoring Gaduri sovereignty over Bentasur. "Bentasur has been Kalistani Imperial Navy property since the earliest days of the Anantonese Empire more than 150 years," said the Foreign Minister. "But His Imperial Majesty has decreed that its time as an exclave of the Empire is at an end, and it should be returned to Gaduridos as a sign of our desire to restore relations with Gaduridos. The Emperor has expressed this principle as his will, and as such is therefore beyond question."

The invocation of Imperial Fiat was enough to quiet most of the Deputies long enough for the Foreign Minister to lay out most of the details of the roadmap. "Kalistan's interest in the matter is for the Southern Approach to be guarded. We can do that with the 3rd Fleet, as Luthori is currently learning, or we can ask Gaduridos to begin shouldering some of the burden for regional defense. Keeping the 3rd Imperial Fleet at Bentasur was the price Gaduridos had to pay for Kalistan performing patrols on their southern flank, but they have made it clear that they would prefer to have Bentasur and so Kalistan has agreed to move on the question assuming Gaduridos is capable of meeting the security demands in the Southern Approaches, which they are currently not. Therefore it is incumbent on us to help them get ready to pick up that responsibility."

The Foreign Minister said the discussions involve Kalistan assisting Gaduridos in standing up a fleet which is at least on parity with the 3rd Kalistani Imperial Fleet. "This will involve assistance in procurement, training and technical matters," said Ontiveros. "We will stick to Gaduri timetables, where they can put in orders for surface craft and submarines from our Naval Ship yards, as they are able to procure them. Kalistan has no interest in profitability and will sell Gaduridos ships at cost. One way they could offset costs is to supply the steel for the ships--this could further stimulate the Gaduri Steel Industry, allowing them to scale up their industries, while gretly offsetting material costs for the new ships. Kalistan will build them in Kaliburg and assist Gaduridos with building at the old shipyards in the Gaduri Capital using Kalistani blueprints. In Gaduridos, this could serve as a major jobs program. And as new ships come on line, they will relocate to Bentasur."

While the new ships come online, Gaduris will be welcomed to begin moving into the base. "Bentasur, as a base has always been far larger than the 3rd Imperial Fleet has required," said the Foreign Minister. "We maintained the excess anchorage on the base because we anticipated Gaduridos, while it was still a constituent member of the Anantonese Empire, would stand a navy up and share the base with us. That never happened. Its used rather infrequently now, but still maintained in the event that other units would want to cycle through on training cycles or other naval activities in the region."

The base also contains a major OTH radar station and a naval air strip built toward the end of the Anantonese Empire and expanded after Gaduri independence. "These facilities are our eyes and ears on the Schismatic Sea and the Southern Approaches, and besides being the home port of the 3rd Fleet, are some of the most strategic overseas postings in Ananto and Kalistan." Gaduridos is expected to move into the half of the base which is not used by the Third Fleet, and their officers and crew will be invited aboard Kalistani ships of the third Fleet as foreign nationals to train with Kalistanis while their own ships are being built.

"Ideally, we would like to prepare Gaduris, top to bottom to enter service directly onto their own vessels as they are being built with a very good idea of what the Imperial Mission in the region is, so they can begin picking up the missions that we are handing off." Once the Gaduris begin conducting their own patrols in the Schismatic and the Central Anantonese Oceans alongside the Kalistani fleet, Kalistan will formally divide Bentasur into two bases, handing full possession of the Gaduri side to Gaduridos for their exclusive use, while developing a SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) for Kalistani forces in Gaduridos. "And then, when the Gaduri Fleet is completed, and the Gaduri naval officers and crew are on their own ships, we will formally transfer sovereignty of the Kalistani base at Bentasur to the Kingdom of Gaduridos, and enter into a Joint Forces Agreement around the base which will guarantee exclusive use of the Kalistani facilities to the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan, while flying the Gaduri Flag next to the Imperial Standard, rendering full honors during Morning and Evening Colors to both standards."

The Foreign Minister said this fairly complicated process not only allows Kalistan to continue its mission in the region, but allows Gaduridos the opportunity to restore its full sovereignty over its entire national territory. "Its not a full retreat," said the Foreign Minister, "but it grants Gaduridos the dignity as an equal, sovereign nation which past Monarchs have been unwilling to even consider. Treating with Gaduridos as an equal and as a friend rather than as a former subject is the goal of His Imperial Majesty's diplomacy with Gaduridos, and cannot come at a more crucial time."

The FM made brief reference to the Luthorian provocations in the Schismatic Sea. "Gaduridos and Kalistan, Seleyan Nations standing arm in arm, can send an irrefutable message to these foreigners who have decided they belong here as much as those nations who currently live here. We cannot permit offensive naval weaponry like the Luthorian Carrier Group to remain in the Anantonese Ocean. It is a massively destabilizing force brought in unwelcomed by an outside power who mistakes Gaduri and Kalsitani neutrality for Gaduri and Kalistani weakness. Seleyan nations are stronger if we work together, as Kalistan and Valruzia demonstrate. Gaduridos has long supported Seleyan solidarity. And we are working together now to finally clear the roadblocks to that solidarity on our continent."

Despite strenuous debate on the floor of the National Assembly, most viciously over the very notion of returning any or all of Bentasur to Gaduridos, Ontiveros and the Orthodox Majority prevailed, as expected. Both the investment plan for Xsampa and the roadmap for returning Bentasur won easy majorities, as Bretherenists and Democrats sided with the Orthodox faction. "The conclusion was never in doubt," said Ontiveros following the vote. "The January elections confirmed that Kalsitanis were happy with Orthodox government, and even Imperial Fiat was enough to swing several of the nationalists into support for the Bill. So it passed, and now we rely on Gaduridos to let us know when they are ready to proceed with the next steps of beginning to stand up their Navy. The sooner they complete that, the sooner we will take the next steps to hand Bentasur over to Gaduridos."

@TheRepublic

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Kalistani 3rd Fleet Officer fires warning shots in Schismatic
"Luthorian Navy is overstepping" says Admiral
Bentasur Naval Base, Gaduridos
May 2, 5736


Admiral Jane Quasney updates Press on engagement with elements of the Imperial Luthorian Navy at Bentasur

Today, Admiral Jane Quasney, Commander of Fleet Operations at Bentasur, updated the International Press on an incident which occurred in the Schismatic Sea over the weekend.

"The KRS-373, a Light Cruiser attached to the 3rd Imperial Fleet, was involved in an active fire incident that also involved a similar vessel of the Imperial Luthorian Navy. The incident occurred in open waters about 464 nautical miles from Bentasur at approximately 2323 hours. The Captain of KRS-373 is Captain Gregory Hinton, and the Officer on Deck was Watch Officer Lt. Commander Carl Green. At 2318 local time, the KRS-373 was on patrol about 3 miles from the main body of the fleet. At this time, radar indicated an approaching vehicle. LtCmdr Green attempted to hail the ship to see what it was doing, but the ship did not return communication, nor did it alter its course. LtCmdr Green attempted to raise the ship again, requesting that it not approach the picket, but the hail was not returned. At this time, Lt Cmdr Green called Captain Hinton to get advice, and the Captain told the Lt Cmdr to hail it one more time and request that it stop. The Captain also ordered the forward gun to be loaded with a single shot to send as a warning shot. When the Luthorian Ship did not return communication, the Captain ordered the Lt Commander to fire the gun to avoid hitting the Luthorian ship. The shot occured at 2323, and contact was established soon thereafter."

The Admiral said that there was no damage to either ship, but the Luthorians seemed shocked that Kalistan would fire a warning shot. "The Luthorian Frigate in question said they were carrying out other business in the area, were not at all a threat to the Kalistani unit, and felt the naval fires were excessive," said the Admiral. "We received a formal complaint from the Luthorian Naval units based out of Mordusia and attached to the Luthorian AC group in the area concerning the dangerous and disrespectful behavior of the Kalistani Navy toward the Luthorian Navy who is on a peaceful defensive mission in the region and expected to be able to operate in international waters with impunity."

But the Admiral stressed that refusing to return hails is a violation of the norms of regular behavior that keep seamen and women safe on the high seas. "If we hail you, its not for chit chat. We are hailing for a reason, and its disrespectful, and frankly quite unsafe, to make us call three times and fire a single warning shot before you return the hail. We are looking to see what their intentions are. We are looking to see if they are going to launch some sort of attack at us. We have no idea what they are doing here in this sea, we have no idea about their disposition toward us, and acts like this are the ones that get men and women killed at sea."

The Admiral affirmed that the Third Imperial Fleet was placed on alert after the incident. "The Luthorian Imperial Navy is greatly overstepping here. Given the increasingly bellicose rhetoric coming from the Luthorian Capital as well as this unprovoked incident in the Schismatic Sea, we could be looking at serious escalation here," said the Admiral. "All leave and liberty at Bentasur has been cancelled and a 24 hour alert has been issued for all personnel at the Naval Base here." The Admiral was unwilling to comment on the status of the other fleets in the Imperial Navy. "I would defer comment to the Naval High Command or (His Imperial Majesty's Defense Minister,) Col. Velasco. The Third Fleet however remains on alert and a few sub screens are being called into Bentasur to start potential combat patrols in the Schismatic Sea."

His Imperial Majesty's Government has remained silent on this recent incident, but rhetoric from Kaliburg has been heating up in recent months as Kaliburg aims to show resolve to defend the Southern Approaches from aggressive Luthorian advancement into the region. "The Security Doctrine known as Fortress Kalistan is about to experience its first real test," said Foreign Minister Sir Miguel Ontiveros last month. "Let's hope, for lots of people's sake, someone blinks before this becomes hot, because I can assure our adversaries, Kalistan will not hesitate to defend ourselves from foreign threats. Whatever the cost."

More as we are updated from Bentasur.

@TheRepublic

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Princess Consort takes Morale Tour
Visits Bozo River, Port Swedes and Yoshimi Station
Port Swedes, Duchy of Vrassa
June 3, 5736


Princess Casey Leigh-Campbell visits sailors at Port Swedes Naval Logistics Station in May

As the Schismatic Sea Crisis deepens, Her Highness, the Princess Consort Casey Leigh-Campbell launched a morale tour to visit sailors and airmen in Kalistan and Ananto. Her tour took her first to Bozo River Combined Air Ground Training Center, where the Kalistani Imperial Navy is headquartered, and where the First Imperial Fleet is based. There she observed Naval Gunfire exercises from a reviewing stand, meeting with Fleet Admiral Jefferson "Jack" Alexander and midshipmen the Naval Artillery School located in Bozo River.

The Princess Consort then travelled to Yoshimi Station to greet both members of the Imperial Naval Supply Batallion, as well airmen and women from the 15 Naval Air Squadron based at Yoshimi Station as well as a contingent of Imperial Marines. She was given a tour of the Naval Air Station and was shown the roles that seamen play in keeping Bentasur supplied from Yoshimi. "The logistics operation that operates from Yoshimi Station was rather exciting to see," said the Princess Consort. "During my service, I had an idea of the role that Yoshimi Station plays in supporting our Imperial Navy, but had no idea about the efficiency and extensiveness of the operation. Certainly it is a process that puts us well ahead of any adversary we have in this region, whose supply lines must necessarily extend quite some distance. Having Yoshimi Station here as a major naval supply depot gives Kalistan yet another advantage in any battle in our theater."

Her final stop on the morale tour was Port Swedes in Vrassa, where she met with submariners of the Second Imperial Fleet. She was given the opportunity to address the servicemen and women of the 1st and 2nd Detachments, who were being put on alert following news of the deployment of yet another Luthorian Carrier Group toward Kalistan last month. Below is the transcript of her short remarks to the Sailors of the 2nd Imperial Fleet:

"Men and women of the Submarine Service and proud members of the Second Imperial Fleet, today the honor of National Defense falls upon you. Selfless defense of our nation in the face of hostile imperialist aggression from Artania is the paramount calling of our young men and women in the Imperial Navy. You know this, or you would not have signed up for the Fleet Service in the first place. And while bravery and courage are the civic virtues our nation requires of you, we know you will do your duty with prudence as well. Nothing will be asked of you which is not needed, but everything that is asked will be absolutely essential.

Your Emperor, His Imperial Majesty, Emperor William II Ananto, has ordered your commanders to deploy our forward units into the Eastern Mad Dog Ocean. For the first time in more than 100 years, we are leaving the safety of our Ocean and returning to a much more hostile world who disagrees with Kalistan's right to determine how we shall defend ourselves. One nation in particular dismisses our considerations as legitimate. They dismiss our Sailors' courage and resolve. They think it is inconceivable that young men and women would ever stand for anything, let alone something as excellent as Kalistan. But, we, you and I, know that they dismiss our young men and women at their peril. Because Kalistanis would rather die on our feet than live on our knees. You men and women are patriots who know this maxim all too well: It was the same maxim I myself, and your Emperor knew and were willing to follow when we joined the Regular Force.

I, and the Emperor, have the utmost faith that, if the time comes, if you find yourself staring down an approaching enemy force and a ridiculous amount of aircraft launched from a mindlessly hostile floating airbase, you will do your duty. Of that, there is no doubt. There is an aircraft carrier out there, travelling toward Kalistan with the goal of destroying your homes, your loved ones' homes, your ways of life. They are not peace agents as they claim. They are indeed invaders and people who seek to destabilize our region. And they cannot be allowed to carry out their mission. They will be stopped before they can get into range of any Kalistani targets. You will locate the enemy, and if you find yourself with combat orders, you will engage the enemy, and you will neutralize the enemy, or you will die trying and then the person behind you will pick up the colors and keep moving forward, whatever his or her fate.

We know you will face hardship. Life at sea is hard: you are away from your families for long periods of time. You are uncertain whether you will encounter your enemy. But, we also know that Kalistani submariners are the hunters of the deep seas. We know that in our waters, Kalistani submarines make the difference between parity and supremacy. We know you specifically will make the difference in any battle, and will make light work for your surface comrades. Friends and fellow servicemembers, you are veterans as soon as you leave training at Kaliburg, easily surpassing the talent and dedication, as well as the skill of any fighting force in the globe. This scenario is what you, and countless millions of Kalistani service men and women have trained for for centuries, and now, it may be your privilege to show these bastards what you are made of. What you are made for.

When the time comes, I, and your Emperor, are certain you will do your duty, as you were trained, with extreme professionalism and extreme prejudice. And then you can claim the singular valor that is yours. Thank you for your willingness to defend your homeland. Know that my prayers will be with you as you go forth."

The Princess Consort's speech not only whipped up the submariners who later that day moved to their stations, and set sail, but it also announced Imperial Policy: The acknowledgement of the deployment of the Luthorian Carrier Group Regina into the Mad Dog which explicitly targets Kalistan, but also an announcement that the 2nd Fleet is shifting its operations from the Karzon region between Lodamun and Dolgava's southern Coast into the Mad Dog. Naval High Command confirmed this, ordering redeployment the 2nd Imperial Fleet about 500 nm west, and declaring its reasoning to be the justified threat that the deployment of a second carrier groups toward Kalistan creates. At the same time, the 1st Fleet, which manages the Sea of Carina and the North Eastern Approach relocated to Dulnerstaad, while submarine screens were set up east of Seko incase there is Luthorian aggression from Baeguk where Luthori recently sent interventionists to help the South overthrow the Communists.

As the northern fleets are redeploying, the 3rd Fleet remains on battle alert in the Schismatic Sea. According to Naval Spokesmen at Bentasur, Kalistani submarines are actively tracking Luthorian movements into and out of Mordusian territorial waters, while constant overflights, satellite surveillance and radar tracking maintains constant contact with the ships of the offending Luthorian CSG Clockwork. Kalistanis and Luthorians have avoided direct contact since the warning shots incident last spring, but Kalistan is doing all it can to be as visible as possible with its surface ships, in the hopes deterring further Luthorian imperialist escalation where the odds are a bit closer.

His Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister, Sir Miguel Ontiveros said Luthori has to date shown no interest in resolving the matter diplomatically, because "they are not interested in offering Kalistan concessions around what they claim to be the defensive deployments of their Aircraft carrier Group in the Schismatic Sea." Nationalists in the National Assembly, joined by some Orthodox members, but over solid Democrat and Bretherenist objection, meanwhile pushed through a bill that aims to restart the F/A 12 Air Superiority Fighter program with the goal of producing the first combat ready models by 5740. Kaliburg reports that the first work on building a fleet for Gaduridos has begun in Kaliburg.

@TheRepublic

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Chancellor says "Kalistan is prepared for war"
Sets the record straight on Luthorian Claims
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
July 4, 5736


Chancellor of the Empire, Lord Johnathan Mickelson, addresses National Assembly

"We stand on a knife's edge," said Chancellor of the Empire, Lord Johnathan Mickelson, who addressed the National Assembly this week regarding ongoing crises with the Empire of Luthori. "Kalistan is prepared for war, but we wonder, is Luthori? Are they really prepared to disrupt their beloved international trade? Are they willing to sacrifice any pretense at being a global leader or the defender of some nonsense liberal concept of International law in favor of their own parochial, expansionistic and extremely militaristic aims? We're not entirely sure they are ready to sacrifice in the manner necessary to defeat our nation on the battlefield. And for this reason, we hold out hope that Luthori will see some reason, before we get to the point where we find out."

The Chancellor added: "But we're not holding our breath. The Empire of Luthori has gone on an aggressively expansionistic tear in our part of the world recently, and it is incumbent upon Kalistan, of all nations, to push back." He detailed a small incident between a Kalistani sub who actually came within range of the Luthorian Carrier Regina on the Mad Dog Ocean. "We have confirmed reports, supported by satellite and navigational data that a single Kalistani submarine of the 2nd Sub Detachment approached the Luthorian Carrier at a range of 10,000 meters of the carrier and announced its presence with a single active sonar ping, announcing its presence in the region and informing the Carrier that it had proceeded far enough."

The Submarine, under the command of Captain Gerald Uvalle used the ping to verify a firing solution to the Carrier, according to the Chancellor, and could have fired upon the carrier, but opted instead to use the opportunity to warn the Carrier of its presence. The Carrier began counter offensive maneuver as sub hunters were dispatched from the main body. The Luthorian Naval units escorting the Carrier located the sub but Kalistani surface units were already enroute, and the Luthorians pulled back. "This could have been the spark to set a conflagration ablaze," said Mickelson, "but I will say, both sides wisely decided to telephone commanders and then disengage." The Chancellor noted that Luthorian naval forces had hit several Kalistani submarine screens in a similar fashion in the previous week and a half.

"All it takes is one jumpy seaman who is running 24 hour operations at a radar station," said the Chancellor. "All it takes is one mistake and this thing blows up and very rapidly gets out of control. But Kalistan will not surrender its legitimate security interests in the Anantonese Ocean. Its not bluster to say that while our diplomats scramble to find some solution, there is not a lot of patience left in either government for this increased tension. Something will give sooner, at this rate, and we could very quickly end up in a shooting war that becomes incredibly disruptive to the interests of many nations, not just Kalistan and Luthori. And to be honest, disrupting global trade through the Mad Dog and Anantonese is a price Kalistan is willing to pay, to ensure that our security remains in tact."

The Chancellor then addressed several falsehoods in recent Luthorian Statements: "We are not entirely sure what Luthori felt the need to defend Mordusia against: Kalistanis and Mordusians were beginning to cooperate and had been working for a decade to repair our long strained relations. We were having success at it as well, and were proud of the work we have done on that front. We were working to cooperate with Mordusia within the Schismatic sea, actually. But Luthori saw that as Kalistan being aggressive toward Mordusia? It sounds to us like Luthori brought a solution to a problem that didn't exist, and then created the problem to justify a need for their solution."

Claiming that a carrier group is in any way a defensive organization is itself laughable, said the Chancellor. "Sea based airplanes are brought to provide air cover for an advancing force. Land based aircraft can only provide aircover just so far out to sea. Luthorian and Mordusian air on station in Mordusia was never a threat to Bentasur, and therefore Kalistan could easily view them as defensive in nature. Even the Mordusian coastal forces, when staying toward Mordusia, were seen as defensive. We had strategic and tactical stability in the region. But the arrival of an aircraft carrier group destabilizes the region for Kalistan. It puts Luthorian air in easy range of not only Bentasur, but also Yoshimi and Sulari, our nation's largest population center and industrial heartland. They could theoretically arrive before we can bring enough ships to the area to effectively counter them. The arrival of that aircraft carrier in our region, especially when being operated by an aggressive, expansionistic power like Luthori, raises all of the red flags for Kalistan, and its continued operation in the Schismatic Sea is not something we can tollerate."

The Chancellor suggested people consider Luthori's response if Kalistan moved an aircraft carrier group into the Artanian Sea. "Can you imagine how many Luthorians would start their hair on fire over something like that? Why? Because they would know that we were only there to either extort or attack. There would be no other reason for us to be there. We would bring a floating airbase to Luthori to use it, on Luthori. They wouldn't tolerate it. Why then should we be expected to? That's utterly ridiculous and smacks of Great Power politics of the World Congress era. Which Kalistan has always categorically rejected on its face."

The Chancellor concluded with the comment, "Kalistan is prepared to go to war. Kalistan is prepared to start the entire Anantonese Ocean on fire, and burn Kalistan rather than permit that Aircraft carrier group to remain in range of Bentasur. We don't particularly care what reason Luthori gives for putting it there. That's their business, not ours. But if it is to be war, it will be fierce, and it will be bloody. And any gains Luthori makes from a war will be pyrrhic at best. We cannot promise that we will win, but we can promise that it will be far more costly for Luthori than if they had just left us alone."

The KalSiE was sharply down on the Chancellor's words, losing 4.2% this week, and down 16.3% for the year. While the stock market is not the economy, and there are several guardrails in our economy to prevent livelihoods from depending on the performance of stock, Investors are screaming for a solution to this crisis. The one shining star in the KalSiE is Oil futures, which, while Kalistan doesn't sell oil itself, are sharply up, due to disruptions in supply out of Northern Keris and increased cost of shipping insurance in the region. The news about the stock market in Kalistan does not affect war preparations, however, which appear to be steaming forward at full tilt.

@TheRepublic

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Princess of the Empire Carolina Ananto-Connor: "War is failure"
Retired Monarch Asks for peace
Eveari, Grand Duchy of Ananto
August 8, 5736


Princess of the Empire Carolina Ananto-Connor at Ananto Estate

Opinion

Hello Kalistan. I have asked Orthodoxo to give me the opportunity to speak for the cause of peace as our nation descends into the madness of war with Luthori. Kalistanis will remember me as a peacetime Empress. I am a devout Brethrenist, and for those, perhaps in the international audience, Brethrenism is a faith practice of peace. We believe only God can make life, and only God may take life. Death in war represents a failure of our policy makers to see that of God in our adversaries. Sometime war is brought to us, and sometimes we must defend ourselves, but this does not seem to be one of those cases.

I have had a long time to discern my feelings on this matter. I received a lot of advice from people who I love very much and respect and honor. And the advice was almost universally united. I should not say anything. As the Princess of the Empire and a former monarch of our Nation, I know better, perhaps than almost anyone alive, that there can only be one Emperor at a time. The only legitimate Emperor is His Imperial Majesty, Emperor William II Ananto. And those I spoke with almost all told me "Don't undermine him, don't cut him off, don't speak out. It will not do him favors. Not now, not when he is about to take his nation into war." And indeed, this is his Nation to take into war, or to attain peace and tranquility as he sees fit, as it was mine once. But it is not mine anymore, and I should perhaps counsel him in private, but not in public.

But. Despite the well meaning advice, that still small voice that we Brethrenists listen to to discern right from wrong, just from unjust, virtue from vice, it counselled me instead to make this matter public, because it does no good to speak only to my son. He wants peace. He does not want to lead the nation down the disastrous path of war, especially with a nation as lethal as the Empire of Luthori. But there may be someone who may read this, perhaps in another nation, who can intervene in the cause of peace. The voice of the Spirit said that someone must make the case for Peace. I have the name, I have the credibility. The task falls upon me to amplify the calls of the millions across the world who are begging both Kalistan and Luthori for peace. This is my duty, because I am the one best situated to do it.

Let's look at Justice first. War itself is destructive and wasteful, not only of countless millions and billions in resources which may be better spent in the service of humanity, but of that humanity itself. War makes barbarians of its participants. We hear the liberals talk about just war, but I say this: there is no such thing. War is only varying degrees of injustice. Where is it just to kill our enemies? Where is the justice in that? The only justification for combat is if you are actively being attacked, and then only to prevent further harm. Period. In our case, in this crisis with Luthori, this condition has not been met at all: If there is to be war, it will be a war of choice, on both sides: Luthori because they decided that they are willing to kill Kalistanis to have their way, and Kalistan because they have chosen to not pursue diplomacy, but instead met force with force.

Make no mistake: When we go to war, Kalistan will lose. The world feels arrayed behind Luthori. This is the simple nature of our world. Artanians do as they please and nobody ever stops them. But the Empire of Luthori is in and of itself perhaps one of the most lethal forces on the planet. Kalistan will bloody them, and may stop them indeed, but they will be decimated in the process. If the Luthorians push into the Artanian Ocean, it really does not matter how many ships Kalistan takes out in the process, Kalistan becomes a blood bath and our beautiful ocean, the one we fought so hard to protect, becomes a meat grinder. It is not a win to kill your enemy, it is not a win to allow your people to be slaughtered like goats during a cull. That is a sign of failure.

We should instead seek peace with Luthori on terms that everyone can live with. Luthori may be underestimating Kalistan, as all nations in Terra stupidly, but constantly do. However, it is also possible that Kalistan is overestimating Kalistan. It is possible that the thing we are defending will be killed as we try to save it, and that is because Luthori aims at global power status while Kalistan wants to remain a regional power. At the end of the day, we will lose good boys and girls when they destroy our ships, and for what? If we win, what have we won? We cannot force another nation to respect Kalistan. They never will, but that should be their problem, not ours.

While I was raising my son and training him to be the next Emperor, to take over for me when my time was over, I raised him to respect Luthori. There may be issues with them, but they are not a nation to be trifled with. As it stands, Luthori maintains a multi hemispheric fleet, as Kalistan once did. How they are able to do that and not run massive debts is beyond any Kalistani economist, but we cannot doubt that they do. So it was important for us to respect them enough that we did not get on their bad side. I know my son wanted to improve relations with Luthori when he came into office. He and his wife bought a home in Fort William so they could vacation there.

So how is it that he is willing to go to war with Luthori? Now I, as every Kalistani acknowledges that the Luthorian Aircraft carrier group in the Schismatic Sea is an existential threat to our defensive positions at Bentasur. It is literally nothing more or less than a knife at our throat. This is the only way to interpret it: Forget the business about it being a defensive maneuver. That is a paper thin justification that doesn't pass the face test. And anyone who dismisses this view is clearly not a Kalistani. But war is not the answer. War is never the answer. War is a sign of failure to imagine a solution. And that is where we are at now.

Our leaders need the opportunity to imagine a solution that leads away from war, not toward it. It could involve Kalistan recognizing Luthori's legitimate desire to protect their colony at Mordusia. Kalistan has long recognized the subordinate role and supine posture of that Southern Seleyan nation in regard their Artanian Masters. And we have never had any issue with legitimate defense of that, or any other Imperial possessions, just as we would hope that others would not have anything to say about Kalistani defense of our possessions. That's a far cry from the Aircraft carrier group, which is only expansionistic, it is never defensive. It only threatens, it never protects. All aircraft carriers, regardless of who deploys them, have this characteristic. They are about force projection, they are a spear at the heart of which ever neighborhood they happen to find themselves in.

But perhaps Luthori could come to an understanding that Kalistan's problem is that spear is pointing at the heart of Northern Seleya: not only Kalistan, but people we related to but estranged right now from in Gaduridos. Baltusia comes under threat with a Luthorian Carrier Group parked so close by. Perhaps an acknowledgement for an acknowledgement might be what is needed to breakthrough to a solution in this conflict. I don't know what it will take: That's the function of negotiations. But I do know that war is not the only solution to this problem. I have counselled my son to this effect. He says he understands, but also said that a lot of the matter is out of his hands, because Luthori itself will not unilaterally disarm, which he believes that Kalistan needs to feel safe.

Perhaps there is something to the offer made by the Barrios Administration for talks in Gaduridos. I have not heard from my son regarding the proposal, but I believe that if the offer is sincere, it would be to my son's advantage to at least listen to the Luthorians and try to resolve it. Every other option is not closed, is not off the table. I personally would strongly advice the Emperor to attend this meeting in Gaduridos with Luthorian representatives. Because the Gaduri effort seems to be in good faith.

Kalistan fears war with Luthori, regardless of our bluster and propaganda. I do believe those who seek to fight wish to do so not enthusiastically, but in a desire to get it over with one way or another. Kalistanis will fight, until we are all dead, if we have to. I have no doubt in my mind, from my experience as Empress, and from my knowledge of the people of this Nation. The Emperor will prosecute the war to its bloody apocalyptic conclusion if he must. I have no doubt that Luthori will too.

And so the goal must be to make it so they do not have to do that. We must find a solution that allows us to resolve this without killing each other. So that our sailors may return home safely to their homes, still in tact, to their loved ones not slaughtered by random bombs and indiscriminate carnarge. Peace is the solution. If Luthori is a nation that values International Law, we implore them to remember why: their goal should be to avoid war, which is why they like the concept of international law. Its why all liberals like international law. Kalistan is not bound by this, but we are a Brethrenist Nation. Our calculation is that we seek to avoid war because it destroys human life.

If this statement angers my Son, the Emperor, or the method through which it was made undermines him in his march to war, I will take that hit. If anything I say right now can give him pause, or give the Luthorians the courage to seek peace with us, it will be worth it. I would spend the rest of my life in jail but I can not allow my own silence on this moral question, not when I can bring my name and my reputation to bear for peace and for the sailor or airman who will be saved from death because our leaders figured out how to make it work.

I support all efforts at peace, and while I still have my son's ear, I will continue to advise him to take any opportunity to resolution short of war, that he may. I encourage the people of Kalistan to voice their desire for peace as well. Thank you.

- Her Highness, Princess of the Empire Carolina Ananto-Connor
Eveari, Grand Duchy of Ananto

@Orthodoxo

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Emperor flies to Gaduridos
"We shall except His Majesty's Invitation to Listen," says Emperor
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
October 4, 5736


His Imperial Majesty, accompanied by security, enroute to Gaduridos

His Imperial Majesty, Emperor William II Ananto has accepted the invitation to speak to Luthori's emperor under medication provided by King Victor of Gaduridos. "We shall accept His Majesty's invitation to listen, on advice of our closest confidantes and most trusted advisors. We believe that His Majesty, the King, possesses the credibility and reputation necessary to help us come to some agreement on several outstanding issues," said the Emperor before departing for the Southern Kingdom. "We come to the table with open ears but a firm resolve. Our goal is to attempt, if it is possible to avoid war, and we are prepared to put serious concessions on the table but only if they are matched on the other side."

Gaduridos, whose trade based economy is directly affected by tensions anywhere in the Northern Anantonese, has an interest in securing peace. "It is from this place of interest that we believe that Gaduridos will carve out some neutral space for us to speak with our Luthorian counterparts. We are not sure that the discussions will be successful, but the extraordinary intervention on the part of the Luthorian Emperor in the matter signals to us that he is at least willing to communicate to try to resolve the matter, and hopefully the Gaduris can help us craft a solution that we can all at least live with and credibly buy into."

The Emperor confirmed that back channel diplomacy has continued throughout the crisis. "It has helped us avoid a hot war," he said. "Lesser nations would have already gone to war by now, but we must acknowledge a measure respect to Luthori for their restraint and maturity in this matter which has helped us show restraint as well. And we must also say a word of appreciation to the brave government of Gaduridos for stepping forward to offer us a neutral venue where we can meet and actually talk with the aim of resolving the crisis. That takes a courage, we believe, that few other nations in Terra have demonstrated."

The Emperor said he was cautiously optimistic. "We think the matters could be easily resolved. There are some things Kalistan cannot accept, and there are some things Luthori must have. And alas, it seems that the rivalry of 4000 years between Kalistan and Luthori will not be resolved this episode either. But we are sure there is a lot of middle ground where we can negotiate and find a solution that avoids war and allows each side to stand down while claiming a win. We hope that Luthori is willing to listen to mediators when we come to a disagreement that is seemingly insurmountable--We are prepared to do so ourselves."

As His Imperial Majesty departed to Gaduridos, it would appear that Kalistani forces have been ordered to remain on combat alert in both the Schismatic Sea and the Mad Dog Ocean. No additional contacts have been reported by the Navy to the press. It seems the entire world now holds its breath. His Imperial Majesty's Foreign Minister, Sir Miguel Ontiveros and the Artanian diplomatic team will join the Emperor in Gaduridos.

@TheRepublic

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Kalistan and Luthori have stepped back from Brink
Gaduri Intervention said to be "Key for Peace", says Chancellor
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
November 1, 5736


Chancellor of the Empire, Sir Johnathan Mickelson explains peace deal to reporters

Kalistan has accepted the Gaduri brokered peace proposal says Chancellor of the Empire, Sir Johnathan Mickelson. "We can announce that the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan has completed peace talks with the Empire of Luthori in Ciudad de Gadur and has come to mutually acceptable terms that will allow us to avoid war." The details of the deal concern Kalistan acknowledging Luthori's right to defend its outpost in Mordusia, including defensive naval activities in the Schismatic Sea, while obtaining the major concession around the removal of Carrier Support Group Clockwork from the Northern Anantonese Ocean.

"We feel we were able to acknowledge Luthori's right to defend its empire, a right we ourselves would claim," said Mickelson. "At the same time, we were able to express to Luthori the absolute necessity in terms of security for Kalistan that removal of the Carrier and elements in support of it would provide. In the end, we didn't get everything, but we got what was most important to us, and I think they did as well."

Gaduri moderation of the talks was crucial, said Mickelson. "The Gaduri intervention was the Key for peace, I believe. I think without having a credibly neutral third party to help us come to this agreement, that Gaduridos provided during these talks, we wouldn't have gotten there. But having the Gaduri moderating team in the room with us allowed each of us to frame the matter in terms of interests, without the potential to re-escalate. Plus, the Gaduri government was able to keep us on track, aiming not a resolution of ancient grievance and digging up ancient animosity, but focusing on regional stability and peace."

To enact the treaty, Kalistan and Luthori will immediately recall their forces in the Mad Dog, with compliance checks during the stand down. The Second Imperial Fleet will return to its Northern Anantonese bases while the Artanians return to their defensive positions closer to Artania. Meanwhile CSG Clockwork will depart the Schismatic Sea to return to its starting location in the Sea of Lost Souls, and defensive operations near to Mordusia will be taken up by the Luthorian 7th Floatilla.

Kalistan further explicitly reiterated that its security interests extend only as far south the sea between Gaduridos and Yingdala. "We maintain absolutely no security interests beyond that point. What Luthori does in the Southern Anantonese Ocean is not our concern. Nor do we patrol the strait in Rildanor. We are more concerned with threats coming from the south through Gaduridos into the Northern Anantonese. Therefore, if Luthori deploys its carrier south of Yingdala, Kalistan will have no concern at all about this. That is well beyond the range of our ships, which operate on conventional fuel and require resupply from Bentasur. As long as we feel safe at home, what others do else where is of little concern to us."

The peace deal in place, it will be up to both Kalistan and Luthori to observe compliance with the treaty's terms. "I think at the end of the day, Kalistan and Luthori both want peace. We are certain that Gaduridos also wants peace, and I think thanks to the level head of His Majesty King Victor of Gaduridos, His Imperial Majesty, Emperor William II Ananto and His Imperial Majesty Emperor Edward of Luthori were able to shake hands in the end and come home with terms they both could live with."

At home, the news of peace was greeted with a sigh of relief. Deputies in the National Assembly passed a unanimous resolution thanking the King of Gaduridos for his government's efforts for the cause of peace. The first elements of the 2nd Imperial Fleet are expected to put in at Port Swedes in less than a week, and the National Assembly has authorized a new Schismatic Campaign ribbon for those who were in naval service during the conflict. Kalistani Nationalists were reportedly grudgingly supportive of the peace deal, as many of them were itching for a fight. "They got Kalistani security," said the Chancellor. "So most of them supported the final package."

@TheRepublic

[GreekIdiot]

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Kalistani News in Brief: Royal Family Winters at Playa de Paz
National Government reviews Overseas Spending; Gaduri Procurement on Pace
Playa de Paz, Athosia, Baltusia
February 4, 5737


Princess Consort shows of the Royal Home at Playa de Paz, Baltusia

Royal Family Winters at Playa de Paz
The Royal Family is in residence at Playa de Paz, Athosia in Baltusia. The family was delayed by a few weeks as the Emperor was in Gaduridos negotiating the end to the Schismatic Crisis. But they reopened the Winter House on January 10th, and departed Kaliburg two days later. "We have only spent a few weeks at Playa de Paz over the last few years," said Her Highness, the Princess Consort Casey Leigh-Campbell. "But this is the first time we are able to take our youngest to winter in Athosia, and we are just glad to be here. It really feels like coming home whenever we come down."

It is believed that House Ananto spends millions annually on upkeep of the house. "We know this helps the local economy," says the Princess Consort. "Whether it is our immediate family, or Princesses Jennifer and Victoria who come down here, we require staff to attend to the needs of our growing family. The Staff is more than 100 who we keep employed year round and pay Kalistani, not lower Baltusian wages, whether we are in residence or not." In addition to acting as a jobs program for the locals in the region, the Princess Consort also talked about other things to keep the house and property maintained. "Food, utilities, like upkeep and repair, taxes it adds up pretty quickly into a lot of money annually."

But the ability to have such a beautiful home in Athosia is absolutely worth it, says the Princess Consort. "Yes, it is a luxury, and it might seem a bit different if people in Kalistan were hungry or there was a homelessness crisis or lack of public medicine in the country side. But Kalistan doesn't face a lot of the same social problems some of the poorer nations of the world face. Even the rest of Baltusia: The amount of money we put into Athosia just ourselves is a stark contrast with the rest of the nation. But maintaining this home when we only really use it for about three months a year is totally worth it. We have it if we need it at other times during the year, and really, who doesn't want a palace like this in such a beautiful place like Athosia? It's definitely worth it." The Royal Family will be in residence until early April this year, when they will return to Kaliburg. Her Highness says the Royal Family are expecting a visit from Her Highness Princess of the Empire Carolina Ananto-Connor later this month.

National Government reviews Overseas Spending
His Imperial Majesty's Finance Minister Dr. Roger Berry gave a report on overseas spending for humanitarian and other aid last week to the National Assembly. "As expected, most of our aid and trade goes to those nations around us," says Minister Berry. "The Government, following His Imperial Majesty's direction, has ensured that much of our spending overseas stays where it will do most good. This includes money going to Seleya and north central Dovani, where we are actively promoting environmental programs. Almost none of it goes to the antipodes, places like Vascania or Majatra."

Berry said that Kalistan doesn't maintain economic or diplomatic relationships with most Majatran nations. "Nations like Solentia or Jakania, it wouldn't make a bit of difference if we sent them aid, it honestly wouldn't change the lives of any of the people there, and we have no relationship with them anyway, so we would be left with the overarching question of who do we even send it to." He listed money and support going to Majatra, of all places as "zero. Not a single cent goes to Majatra. It would be a waste to send it."

Dr. Berry responded to Speaker of the Institutional Democrats, Dr. Kristen Brandt, who said it might be incumbent upon our nation to do things to help perpetual basketcases like Solentia. "Neglect of them could in theory breed contempt in them. If we were to try and help them overcome their backwardness and dark attitudes about the world, we would do wonders at promoting the advancement of human kind to the poor benighted souls who are forced to live in that country, and others like it because they have no choice. We want to help them. We should want to be seen as a benevolent defender of the people, of the downtrodden, of the helpless, but here we just turn a cold shoulder to a whole continent."

Berry's response was telling of the difference between the more internationalist perspect of the Democrats and the Orthodox members of the Assembly. "Kalistan has zero, strike that, less than zero interests in a place like Solentia. If we weren't so well educated in this nation, I doubt anyone here would be able to point the nation out on a map. We are staying within our overall principles of funding national interests first, before we worry about starving Dudmanis."

Gaduri Procurement on Pace
His Imperial Majesty's Minister of Infrastructure has reported that Gaduri procurement is on pace. "We have sent naval engineers to Ciudad de Gadur to begin work on the Gaduri National Fleet," said Minister Joseph Montgomery. "The first step is to make sure the dry docks in CdG still function in their purpose. They were built more than 160 years ago and have rarely, if ever been used since then. So we needed to make sure they are still structurally functional. After a bit of clean up, we discovered the locks still work, the pumps, some of which had to be replaced, were all ultimately functional, and the facilities were found to be in pretty good shape, all things considered."

Reopening the Dry Dock facilities at Puerto Gaduri was a major first step. "We have therefore dispatched our naval engineers to begin their liaison with their Gaduri Counterparts, to begin transmitting naval blueprints. Our goal is to produce ships both here and in Gaduridos, so that a fleet can be stood up in preparation for our transfer of Sovereignty at Bentasur." Minister Montgomery said that the recent crisis taught Kalistan how important it will be to have Gaduridos jointly patrolling the Schismatic Sea and the Central Anantonese Ocean. "As our Mission in Bentasur evolves, getting Gaduri ships of the line out to sea becomes very important."

The procurement effort is a major multi-year program by which Kalistan will be supplying ships at cost to Gaduridos to help them stand up a serious defensive navy in the region, while Gaduridos offsets the cost by supply many of the building materials, both to the docks at CdG and to Kalistan. "We look forward to Gaduri partnership, but we still have a long road ahead of us. Completion of this first step therefore is a fantastic milestone, which puts us on the path toward return of sovereignty in Bentasur." The Minister said the agreement around Bentasur relies on Gaduridos' time table, so we will now wait until Gadudidos is ready." Meanwhile, the first steps toward building a manpower base for the navy through recruitment should begin sometimes soon, after which time, Gaduri sailors and officers will be posted on Kalistani ships at Bentasur. "The Crisis delayed progress, but hopefully now, we are back on track."

@TheRepublic