MotF 188: Sting Like A Bee

[Kaiphranos]

MotF 188: Sting Like A Bee
The Challenge

Make a map depicting an Egyptian state that is a major world power.

The Restrictions

For this round, the POD of your map must be after 1805 CE. (Sorry, this one is for modern Egypt, not Ancient Egypt.) Fantasy and science fiction maps are permitted as long as they meet all other requirements.

If you're not sure whether your idea meets the criteria of this challenge, please feel free to PM me or comment in the main thread.
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Entries will end for this round when the voting thread is posted on Sunday, December 9th, 2018. (Extended by one week)

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PLEASE KEEP ALL DISCUSSION ON THE CONTEST OR ITS ENTRIES TO THE MAIN THREAD.
Any discussion must take place in the main thread. If you post anything other than a map entry (or a description accompanying a map entry) in this thread then you will be asked to delete the post.

Remember to vote on the previous MotF round!​

 

[Zorqal]

The United Arab Republic and its neighbors, 2018
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The United Arab Republic first arose in 1958, when a political union was formed between Egypt and Syria after a strong push from Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser. In 1961, the union was further formalized with the UAR becoming a sovereign state, and the joining of North Yemen to the nation. Following a brief war, Yemen would be unified in 1963, a major moral victory for the UAR and a show of strength in the Middle East. Through the 1960s and 70s the union gained strength, pursuing a middle ground policy through the Cold War, playing both sides. Following increasing tensions with Iran, the United Arab Federation, an alliance between Iraq and Jordan, joined the UAR with confederation status, maintaining their sovereignty. This changed when Iran invaded Iraq in 1980 however, and both Jordan and Iraq became fully integrated into the UAR. The war with Iran would last through the early 1980s, drawing increased worry from the world at large as the two powers of the region fought to a standstill. It took the UN stepping in to help put an end to the conflict in 1986. Following the war, the UAR began its nuclear program with aide from Pakistan, resulting in their first successful test in 2000.

In 2018 the UAR is the greatest power in the Middle East and a major player in the world. The UAR is the worlds largest exporter of oil, providing them with a strong economy, and their nuclear weaponry means that they can enforce their will on most of their neighbors. The position of President has largely been a dictatorial one, beginning with President Nasser who led the country from 1958 until his death in 1970. Current President Mohamed ElBaradei however has begun to change this, democratizing the position. The UAR tends to have poor relations with most of its neighbors, especially Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. Israel is the only other nuclear power in the region, and has the support of the West, so while tensions run high conflict is unlikely. However, both Iran and Saudi Arabia are direct competitors with the UAR, resulting in a three way Cold War between the nations. Each supports terrorist groups within one another and fight proxy wars in more minor powers, currently Afghanistan is the site of the most notable proxy war. Despite this, the UAR has a relatively high standard of living. Cairo is a megacity the most important economic hub in both Africa and the Middle East. Human rights and development tend to be higher than most other Middle Eastern nations, though are still lacking in some areas. Women's rights for example, while more developed than in Saudi Arabia or other Arab nations, leave something to be desired. However, development is high and infrastructure strong thanks to a powerful economy, and internal conflict is limited thanks to well structured and maintained governmental systems. The largest internal conflict is with the Kurds in Syria and Iraq, though their regions have limited autonomy and are well represented in government. Extremists near the Turkish and Iranian border have formed paramilitary groups (predominantly sponsored by Saudi Arabia), those these are largely kept in check and are mainly limited to targeted attacks within the regions they are present.

 

[Alex_ammonit]

PoD: Napoleon won.