The Union Forever: A TL

[Mac Gregor]

2004 Presidential Election ​

The national mood was decidedly against the status-quo heading into the 2004 presidential election with the economy never having fully recovered from the 1998 globtrix recession, disruptions caused by the IEF Civil War, and high fuel prices. President Elias Zaal fended off two potentially dangerous primary challenges but managed to secure re-nomination from the Democrats. The Republicans would have a contentious primary before eventually settling on dark horse candidate Peter Rowland.

Peter G. Rowland

Born on September 15, 1959 to middleclass parents in New River, Florida, Peter Guetta Rowland was a precocious child who from an early age showed great aptitude at public speaking. Rowland attended Florida State University-Tampa and later Brown University eventually earing PhDs in American and European History. Rowland’s path to politics was atypical. After a few years as a college professor, Rowland garnered national attention with his book Light of the West: America and Geopolitics in the 20th Century. Over the years, Rowland became a common face on cable news and political talk shows. In 1992, Rowland married actress Betty Sheeran. In 1995, Rowland became the host of The World and You a popular weekday program on the Harper News Network. After the death of Florida congressman Eddie Lloyd in 1999, Rowland was tapped by the Republican Party to stand in the special election and easily won the seat. In Congress, Rowland became one of the most outspoken critics of the Zaal administration, especially on foreign policy. While Rowland entered the 2004 Republican primaries relatively early few gave the young congressman high odds for success. However, the Republicans remained heavily divided between two other candidates and a late push to re-nominate former president Blanton ensured that the Republicans entered the national convention in San Jose, California without an agreed upon candidate. After nine ballots, Rowland began to surge. After Blanton formally gave his endorsement, Rowland soon clinched the nomination. Senator Rufus Carmichael of New Hampshire was chosen as his running mate.

The Campaign

During the general election, President Zaal claimed with some justification that he had reduced unemployment since taking office and kept the country from becoming embroiled in the IEF Civil War. Rowland argued that “the so-called economic recovery came too little, too late.” Moreover, Rowland painted Zaal as aloof from the gains made by the German Empire and Technate of China at the expense of the IEF. In an attempt to siphon votes from the Ecoists, the Republicans included a strong environmental plank in their party platform. The Zaal campaign made several personal attacks against Rowland regarding his youth, inexperience, and accusations that he was a “second rate TV celebrity. “

The Results

Peter G. Rowland
Republican from Florida
39th President of the United States
​

When the votes were tallied, the American people had clearly decided to ditch Zaal and the Democrats. Zaal and Torres captured only 46.3% of the popular vote and a mere 18 of 58 states. Rowland and Carmichael scored 51.8% of the popular vote sweeping most of the country except for the South and some western states. The Republicans also expanded their majority in the House of Representatives and captured the Senate.

 

[Mac Gregor]

2004

Foreign and Domestic Developments

On January 30, the Technate of China’s Directorate of Technology announced that it had successfully cloned human embryos using somatic nuclear cell transfer. While the embryos were destroyed after two weeks, many believed it was only a matter of time before human clones became a reality. The announcement generated considerably backlash from religious groups and anti-cloning ethicists.

Sudanese jockey Ali Osman Salih won the Doha Cup in the Union of Gulf Emirates, arguably the world’s most prestigious camel race, for the third time a milestone in the sport’s history.

During the summer, the American video game company Specter Entertainment released Desperados a globtrix based Western themed role-playing game than connected thousands of players. Reviews praised the game’s immersive environment and creative duel system. Not to be outdone, Specter Entertainment’s French based rival Aventurcom unveiled, Citoyens et Sujets, a similar game set during the French Revolution, later that year.

Throughout 2004, aid began to pour into the IEF and its former territories. Food was desperately needed, and seems to have arrived just in time to stave off a massive famine. Kuznetsov’s regime began the slow task of rebuilding the country’s severely damaged infrastructure but made little effort to normalize relations with its newly independent neighbors. While many of the millions of IEF refugees began to return, a sizable portion choose to resettle elsewhere. Most nations imposed some sort of quota on refugees. However, there were some noticeable exceptions. Canada, Australia, and New Zealand became favorite destinations with exile communities sprouting up such as the Little Ukraine neighborhood in Toronto and the city of New Smolensk in Central Australia.

In August, Germany’s Imperial Space and Aeronautics Commission (IRLK) announced that they would be closing Mond Vorposten Ein by the end of the year after over a decade of operation. Many observers speculated that closing the lunar base was a prelude to the announcement of a manned mission to Mars.

Prime Minister Geoffrey Lever’s call for a British general election backfired when his Liberal/Democratic Labor government fell by a razor thin margin. A new coalition of Conservatives, Imperial Progressives, and Unionists was formed with Reginald Thorneycroft as prime minister. In a reassuring move, Thorneycroft promised to honor the terms of the Geneva Accords and support the nascent Fellowship of Nations.

After over four years of bloody fighting, the Greek Civil War came to an end. With some military hardware donated from the IEF, the Monarchists were able to crush the last Socialists holdouts in Thessaloniki. At a victory speech in Athens, King George III confirmed his nation’s close ties to the IEF and the Orthodox Council.

After months of negotiation, the Fellowship of Nations was formally established in Geneva on October 19. Its stated purpose was for "the peaceful resolution of international conflicts, promotion of the brotherhood of nations, and serve as a forum for the bettering of the welfare of all mankind." While the FoN would grow to contain a number of organs and agencies, at its core was the World Congress with each independent nation having one vote. The Central Committee, an executive of sorts, was composed of a representative chosen by each of the major power blocs; the League of American Republics, Association of European States, Technocratic Union, Turin Pact, and after some debate the Orthodox Council, and the Persian led Organization for Mutual Development created earlier that year. Nations that were not a member of any of those alliances, collectively elected a delegate who would sit on the Central Committee but not have veto powers. Former Syrian parliamentarian and humanitarian worker Husayin al-Tal was elected as the FoN’s first Secretary-General. While the FoN had many critics and detractors, nearly all independent nations would join the organization over the next few years.

On December 26, an earthquake off the cost of Sumatra caused a massive tsunami to sweep across the Indian Ocean. The Republic of Indonesia was the worst hit, followed by Ceylon, Madras, and India. Over a quarter of million people were estimated to have been killed. Nations and organizations around the world pledged support to the victims though some thought China’s offer of assistance to Indonesia had more to do with geopolitics than altruism.

Aceh, Indonesia after the Tsunami​

 

[Mac Gregor]

2005

Foreign and Domestic Developments​

Technate of Manchuria
2002 - 2005​

On January 6, the Technate of China officially annexed Manchuria after a hurried referendum declared 97.1% of the population in favor of becoming a “special autonomous administrative district” of China. Having spent 97 years separate from China, nearly everyone doubted the authenticity of the referendum’s results. Conducted during the final days of the Zaal administration and with the IEF still reeling from its civil war the international reaction was vocal but entailed little action. Resolutions in the Fellowship of Nations opposing annexation were vetoed by the Technocratic Union.

The year marked the 25th anniversary of the end of the Asia-Pacific War with observances and commemorations held across the world. President Rowland broke ground on the National Asia-Pacific War Memorial in Washington D.C. The anniversary also prompted some concerns over the lifting of Japanese military restrictions set to expire in five years. The Technocratic Union was adamantly against the Japanese rearming while other power blocs desired Japan to take a more active role in counterbalancing China in East Asia.

In the German general election, Ernest Osterloh was reelected to an unprecedented fourth term as chancellor. However, in order to retain power Osterloh and his Conservatives were forced into an awkward coalition with the Cameroon based KVD and the EKD, Germany’s leading Ecoist political party.

During the spring, Semere Kelati the President of Aksum was ousted from power by a popular uprising when he refused to step down after losing a recent election. Fleeing to neighboring Abyssinia, Kelati secured the backing from fellow strongman and African nationalist Tariku Birra to help return him to power. In May, Abyssinia invaded Aksum and quickly overran the country. While Kelati was reinstalled in the presidential palace, Aksum became little more than a protectorate of Abyssinia. While some called on the Commonwealth of Nations to help their former colony, the fact that Aksum was not a ComNat member prohibited any intervention.

On April 16, Turkey, the Azeri Republic, and the Democratic Union of Turkic Republics signed the Treaty of Baku establishing the Turkic League. While the agreement’s stated purpose was to “promote the fraternal bonds between the Turkic peoples” many viewed it as an attempt to block the growing power of Persia and its Organization for Mutual Progress.

In June, the American company Orion Transportation successfully launched its first satellite into low Earth orbit from its spaceport outside Salt Lake City, Utah. Weighing in at only 13kg, Orion Transportation was a pioneer in the development of microsatellites or micro-sats.

In September, a new pipeline linking Kurdish oil fields to the city of Tartus on the Mediterranean opened. Having begun construction in 2000, the project strengthened the ties between the Kingdom of Kurdistan and the Republic of Greater Syria. King Reza increasingly sought Syria as a benefactor and protector since the withdrawal of the IEF from the region and the growing rivalry between Turkey and Persia.

On December 1, the Canadian territory of Athabaska became the nation’s tenth province. Over the last two decades, and especially since the oil shortages caused by the IEF Civil War, Athabaska’s tiny population had surged after an influx of energy sector and construction workers. Canadian Prime Minister Bernice Alderdice and King Edward VIII attended the chilly ceremony in the capital of McDougall, a bustling city on the left bank of the North Saskatchewan River.

Flag of Athabaska​

 

[Mac Gregor]

2006

Foreign and Domestic Developments

The German rover Wolfshund on the Martian surface​

In early February, after the successful landing of the rover Wolfshund, Chancellor Osterloh tasked the Imperial Space and Aeronautics Commission to prepare a manned mission to Mars by the end of the next decade under the operational name Ausländer. As expected, President Rowland instructed the Department of Space to launch its own Martian program known as the Voyager Project. In a surprising move later that year, the Technate of China’s Sub-directorate for Space Exploration would also declare its intentions to land a man on Mars. Naturally, the three-way race to the Red Planet generated massive media attention although some groups viewed the endeavors as costly testaments to national vanity.

On March 31, Uruguay became the first country to legalize homosexual marriage nationwide after leftwing ecoists won control of the legislature earlier that year. While most nations refused to recognize same sex couples, or even banned homosexuality entirely, an increasing number were leaving the decision up to their various states, provinces, or municipalities.

In April, the leaders of five countries, all African nationalists, met in the West African city of Cape Coast and founded the All-African Alliance. Signatories included Isatou Camara of West Africa, Semere Kelati of Aksum, Augustin Mihambo of the Congo, Tariku Birra of Abyssinia, and Oscar Macumbi of Mozambique. The official ceremony took place in the city’s historic “slave castle” highlighting the alliance’s stated goal of “making Africa united, prosperous, and free from colonial influence.” The AAA also sought to gain a seat on the Fellowship of Nations Central Committee, an overture that was not well received by the other power blocs except for the Technocratic Union. Many outside observers derided the organization as mere “club for despots.” Virtually everyone saw it as a challenge to the existing political order in Africa.

The XXIII Summer Olympiad was held in Bogotá, the sprawling capital of the United States of Colombia, with a record 12 new nations making their Olympic debut.

In the United States, the midterm elections granted the Republicans continued control of Congress with only slight losses in the House of Representatives. Most pundits interpreted the results as voter satisfaction with the Rowland administration tough stance towards China and an improving economy.

On November 24, Technate of Bengal security forces violently put down a large public demonstration in Calcutta resulting in over 56 deaths. The protest was sparked after the government had forcefully evicted thousands from their homes to expand the city's port facilities.

In December, the Imperial Eurasian Federation adopted a new constitution, which among other things officially changed the name of the nation back to the Russian Empire, effectively ending the IEF’s 32 year existence. On paper, the constitution included many democratic guarantees and granted some autonomy to ethnic minorities. In reality, few expect these provisions to be enforced. In keeping with the conservative ideology of the nation’s rulers, the constitution specifically enshrined Russia as the protector of the Slavic peoples and the Orthodox faith. It however, did not definitely outline Russia’s territorial claims but cryptically stated that the “Empire reserves the right to defend its peoples and their ancestral homelands.”

Imperial Eurasian Federation
1974-2006​

 

[Mac Gregor]

See the map below for a more nuanced look at selected alliances/power blocs as of 2007 showing sphere's of influence. This is by no means definitive and is open to interpretation. For example, some would have Canada split between the ComNat and the LAR because of the importance of American trade. Other's would list Georgia with the Turkic League due to growing ties, event though it isn't a member. Oh, and I decided to keep the name Organization for Mutual Development for the Persian bloc. for Feel free to discuss.

 

[Mac Gregor]

2007

Foreign and Domestic Developments

A Great War Centennial parade in Britain​

The year 2007 marked the start of the Great War Centennial. Commemorations were held across the world, but varied significantly from country to country. In France, the anniversary was used to highlight the dangers of authoritarianism and the peaceful and prosperous century that followed the nation’s defeat. Other nations like Germany and Russia used it to tout their past and present martial prowess. More than a few commentators and authors pointed to the supposed similarities between the current tense international stage and the situation in Europe 100 years earlier.

In January, China’s Directorate of Infrastructure announced the completion of the Liu Bangguo Bridge linking the opposite sides of Jiaozhou Bay. This two tiered structured completed a high-speed rail link and automobile expressway between Tsingtao and Weifang. At 25km, it was the longest bridge over water yet constructed.

Following months of acrimonious hearings, German Chancellor Ernst Osterloh resigned as Chancellor after 17 years in office when his KVD and EKD political allies finally abandoned his Conservative led government. The crisis erupted after a cover-up regarding government mishandling of the 2003 Breslau nuclear disaster was revealed by the Viennese newspaper Das Licht. A new coalition under Helmut Koch of the German Democratic Union (DDU), along with the DKP and EKD, assumed control of the government.

The 2007 World’s Fair was held in Seoul, the capital of the Technate of Korea. Of the many devices and new technologies displayed, arguably the most remarkable was additive manufacturing or 3D printing as demonstrated by the Pusan based company Hyeogsin Industries.

After over two years in office, President Rowland announced his keystone foreign policy initiative the Pacific Treaty Organization during an address delivered from Honolulu. The PTO sought to codify an agreement between a diverse assortment of nations with large stakes in a peaceful and democratic Pacific basin including Siam, Malaya, Brunei, Sarawak, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, East Timor, Japan, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Latin American nations bordering the Pacific. This proposed alliance cut across other longstanding power blocs including the League of American Republics, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Community of South Asian States. Furthermore, nations which had been largely neutral, such as Japan and Indonesia, were being asked to take a public stand against the Technocratic Union. Debate on ratification continued to rage into the new year with the issue set to come to a vote in most countries by June, 2008.

Per a referendum held three years earlier, the Dominion of British Congo become an independent country inside the Commonwealth of Nations. Styled as the Republic of Katanga, the new government in Victorville under Prime Minister Rudyard Delacroix sought to strike an independent tone while remaining close to his ComNat allies from which he sought assistance fighting armed groups raiding across the border from the Congo Republic.

Flag of the Republic of Katanga​

 

[Mac Gregor]

2008 ​

Foreign and Domestic Developments ​

The Planet Nox as seen by the probe Pilger​

In January, the German spacecraft Pilger, the first probe to reach the planet Nox, sent back photographs of the small frozen world. In recent years, the discovery of additional astronomical bodies on the distant edges of the solar system has prompted debate as to their proper classification.

XVIII Winter Olympiad was held in Kabul, Afghanistan the first Muslim nation to host the Winter Olympics. King Safiuallah Khan who opened the games heralded the event as a major milestone for his nation. Although the games occurred without incident, a number of visitors complained of the shabby accommodations and inadequate public transportation.

After nearly 40 years on the throne, King Edward VIII died at the age of 87. Having no sons, the crown passed to his eldest daughter Mary who was crowned Queen Victoria II, becoming the first female British monarch since her namesake great-great-great grandmother passed away in 1902. The Commonwealth of Nations held several heartfelt memorials for their late king who had seen them through the Asia-Pacific War and into the Information Age.

After near endless debate the Republican controlled Senate ratified American membership in the PTO. By the end of the year, a total of 13 other countries including Siam, Malaya, Brunei, Sarawak, New Zealand, Australia, East Timor, Japan, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and Colombia would also ratify the treaty. The relatively poor showing in Latin America was a surprise to many policy experts who had expected most nations to follow America’s lead. Some interpreted their rejection of the treaty as growing signs of independence from the United States. Others however, believed most Latin American states were confident in the security guarantees under the LAR and saw little need to become involved in Asian affairs.

On May 12, a powerful earthquake struck northwest of the Chinese city of Chengtu in Szechuan province killing over 70,000 people making it the deadliest earthquake to hit China since 1976. While various government directorates provided aid, millions were left homeless. Technate leader Yu Qishan vowed to rebuild the provincial city into a “world class center of technology and industry.”

In what would prove to be the biggest international blockbusters of the decade, the twin films Outremer and Salah ad-Din were released simultaneously to near universal critical acclaim. The extremely expensive Franco-Syrian project about the third crusade took nearly three years to film on location and nearly bankrupted the two principle studios involved before generating windfall profits. The movies were exceedingly popular throughout Europe and the Arabic speaking world with all but the most partisan critics.

During autumn, the Madras Stock Exchange was deemed by financial analysts to have overtaken Singapore becoming the world’s fifth largest stock market. Only New York, Frankfurt, London, and Shanghai could boast exchanges with higher market capitalizations.

In the American presidential election, Peter Rowland cruised to reelection in the biggest landside since 1820. The Democrats who found themselves bitterly divided in the primaries over PTO ratification eventually settled on the pro-treaty senator from Utah Kyle Nugent and vocal treaty critic Louisiana governor Norman Sweeney a compromise that proved confusing to voters. Many opponents of the PTO, settled on independent candidate Pat Haynie which sapped votes from the Democrats. Moreover, a booming economy doomed any chance that Nugent had for successfully unseating the incumbent. In the end, the Democrats carried only seven states and lost additional seats in the House and Senate, giving Rowland a strong mandate for the next four years.

 

[Mac Gregor]

2009

Foreign and Domestic Developments

Flag of the Republic of Puntland​

On January 24, Puntland become an independent republic inside of the Commonwealth of Nations. Muhammad Dahir Yasin was sworn in as the nation’s first president in the capital of Berbera. Yasin’s government desired to keep close ties with the ComNat due to the destabilizing influences from Tariku Birra’s Abyssinia and its satellite state Aksum.

In the spring, Georgia State University opened a new department in Atlanta devoted to researching and developing quantum computers. In theory, quantum computers would be magnitudes more powerful that existing binary digital computers due to using quantum bits or “qubits” allowing quantum mechanical superposition. While at the time Georgia State was just one of many entities researching quantum computers, it would prove to have a pivotal role in developing this key technology for the 21st century.

In a referendum held in March, the residents of Heliogoland voted in favor of remaining part of the United Kingdom. After 202 years of British administration, only 34% of residents wished to “pursue other political options.” As promised, Prime Minister Reginald Thorneycroft granted Heliogoland a single MP in the House of Commons becoming Britain’s smallest constituency. The notion of incorporating small oversea territories directly into parliament had long been championed by Thorneycroft’s coalition partners the Imperial Progressives. By the end of the decade Bermuda, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey, St. Helena, the Falkland Islands, and the Isle of Man would all receive parliamentary representation while maintaining considerable local autonomy. While the move was unpopular with some at home, not to mention a number of foreign governments, it did pave the way for the Tories and their allies’ victory in that year’s general election.

During the summer, the music genre known as Solid came into its own with several chart topping hits. Originally an offshoot of Underground, Solid was characterized by synchronized chanting and dancing becoming a favorite for American youths at clubs and parties.

On August 10, Mexican billionaire Jesús Zuarth Morales and a handful of other wealthy passengers flew on the maiden commercial voyage of his SolCo Odisea spaceplane. While sub-orbital, the space tourists did experience several minutes of weightlessness.

In November, Sultan Ali bin Talal of Arabia announced new construction guidelines for the cities of Mecca and Medina. In an effort to placate religious conservatives and historical conservationists, these new building standards placed limits on development in Islam’s two holiest cities. This ensured that important sites like the Kaaba and the tombs of Muhammad and his companions would not be overshadowed by skyscrapers. Naturally, this shifted development to other cities in Arabia, which had grown into dynamic and more progressive metropolises such as Jeddah, Aqaba, and Dammam.

 

[Mac Gregor]

Sorry for the delay regarding a proper update. Please accept this map circa January 1, 2010 as compensation.

 

[Mac Gregor]

2010​

Foreign and Domestic Developments ​

Photograph from Port-au-Prince taken three days after the earthquake​

On February 12, a massive earthquake struck near the Haitian city of Léogâne killing nearly 59,000 people. Within hours, aid from the League of American Republics came pouring across the border from the U.S. state of Santo Domingo. Later the Fellowship of Nations would also join in a concerted disaster relief campaign. Haitian president Sherisse Charpentier gave a heartfelt speech of thanks at FoN Headquarters in Geneva later that year.

The race to Mars intensified when news leaked that Chinese plans for a manned mission might not entail a return trip but instead the astronauts would remain on the Martian surface indefinitely if not permanently. The American and German programs, which had largely discounted Chinese efforts, realized that this could possibly allow China to beat them to the Red Planet.

In February, Denmark ratified several constitutional revisions. Chief among them were statutes granting Greenland and the Faroe Islands near total control over their domestic affairs. The nation now also had the longest official name in the world, the Federal Kingdom of Denmark, Iceland, Danish West Indies, Greenland, and Faroe Islands. King Christian XI remained the titular head of state for each of the various realms. The Danish Antarctic Territory would continue to be ruled from Copenhagen.

During the spring, American scientists Valentina McCune and Denis Pavoni announced a breakthrough in regenerative medicine with the first successful transplantation of tissue engineered from adult stem cells from a patient’s bone marrow. Many hoped that in the future, similar methods could be used to grow entirely new replacement organs.

In April, Dutch preacher Arend Beulens was seriously injured by a gunman after leaving a rally in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Over the past decade, Beulens and others had spread the contemporary evangelical Christianity of the Rainbow Rivival throughout protestant Europe and were now attempting inroads in the continent’s catholic dominated south. Beulens' swift, some would say miraculous, recovery only strengthened the movement's influence.

In late June, Orabi Pasha University in Egypt opened a full sized reconstruction of the Lighthouse of Alexandria. Having already reopened an enormous museum and research facility in honor of the ancient Library of Alexandria, this latest achievement allowed OPU to compete with other centers of learning in the Arabic world such the Royal Islamic University in Jeddah and Syria's Aleppo University.

The XXIV Summer Olympiad was held in Tehran the Persian Empire’s most populous city. Shah Naser Ali Qajar presided over the opening ceremonies. The Persian government went to great lengths to try and limit the often heavy air pollution that plagued the city. Sadly, they were only partially successful and hazy skies dominated coverage of the games.

In October, during an international astronomical summit held in Potsdam, Germany scientists released a new planetary classification guide. In the wake of the discovery of several large bodies orbiting the sun in the distant reaches of the solar system, a revised standard of what constituted a planet was deemed necessary. It was decided that a planet must orbit a star, be roughly spherical in shape, be larger than 2,000 km in diameter, but not large enough to generate stellar fusion. Although some thought the 2,000 km diameter rather arbitrary, the definition prevented any of the previously agreed upon ten planets from being demoted in status.

During the U.S. midterm elections, the Republicans lost a hand full of seats to the Democrats, but retained control over both Houses of Congress by slim margins.

Per the terms of the Treaty of Manila (1980), Japan was prohibited from possessing aircraft carriers and naval tonnage was limited to 150,000. On land, Japan could retain no more than 500,000 troops including reservists. By the end of the year, these provisions officially expired and on December 22 the Diet approved a bill funding a limited Japanese rearmament. While relatively modest, the military expansion set off shockwaves in the Technocratic Union. Large well-organized protests erupted in major cities throughout East Asia. Chinese leader Yu Qishan bluntly stated that Japan’s actions posed an “existential threat” and declared he would “not allow a destabilization” of the balance of power.

 

[Mac Gregor]

Mac. Do you have a list of countries ordered by population?

I can do more than that. List time!

As of 2010...

Top 10 Nations by Area

1. Russian Empire
2. Dominion of Canada
3. United States of America
4. Federal Republic of Brazil
5. Federation of Australia
6. Technate of China
7. Democratic Union of Turkic Republics
8. Dominion of South Africa
9. French Republic
10. Argentine Republic


Top 10 Nations by GDP

1. United States of America
2. German Empire
3. Technate of China
4. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
5. French Republic
6. Republic of Italy
7. Empire of Japan
8. Commonwealth of Madras
9. Federal Republic of Brazil
10. Russian Empire


Top 10 Nations by Population

1. Technate of China
2. Indian Republic
3. United States of America
4. Republic of Indonesia
5. German Empire
6. Federal Republic of Brazil
7. Commonwealth of Madras
8. Union of Nigeria
9. Technate of Bengal
10. Russian Empire


Top 10 nations by Military Expenditures

1. United States of America
2. Technate of China
3. German Empire
4. Russian Empire
5. Persian Empire
6. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
7. French Republic
8. Republic of Italy
9. Turkish Republic
10. Commonwealth of Madras

 

[Mac Gregor]

2011​

Foreign and Domestic Developments ​

The USS Chichi Jima, USS Manifest Destiny, HCMS Quebec, and ARM Benito Juarez
steaming west in a show of force​

The Ryukyu Islands Crisis erupted in late January, after Chinese Executive Yu Qishan and the rest of the Technocratic Union (TU) delivered an ultimatum for Japan to cede the disputed Ryukyu Islands to China. This demand had followed years of growing tensions and repeated incursions by TU vessels into Japanese waters. Officially, Yu maintained that China had historical claims to the island chain and had been “cheated” out of them during the peace negotiations following the Asia-Pacific War. However, the move was widely interpreted as an attempt by Yu to discredit the nascent Pacific Treaty Organization (PTO) and humble Japan for pursuing rearmament. After urgent requests from Japanese Prime Minister Kouta Nakamura, American President Peter Rowland helped rally the PTO to Japan’s defense. Five American fleets and sizable naval contingents from ComNat countries were redeployed to the Western Pacific. After weeks of combative negotiations the world was on the brink of war. However after Russian divisions began massing near the Manchurian border the TU was forced to back down, realizing that it would be hopelessly outmatched fighting simultaneously the Orthodox Council on land and the PTO at sea. The crisis proved an embarrassing failure for Yu Qishan and validation for the PTO. The near brush with nuclear war also invigorated anti-nuclear and pro-peace activists around the globe.

While the Ryukyu Island Crisis started to boil in East Asia, representatives from the German and Russian empires meet in San Marino under the auspices of the Fellowship of Nations for an important summit. Speaking on behalf of their various alliance blocs, German Chancellor Helmut Koch and Russian Prime Minister Mitya Kuznetsov hammered out an agreement normalizing relations in Eastern Europe. While several issues were left unresolved, the San Marino Accords allowed Kuznetsov to focus his military on other threats, specifically the TU and Persia. Germany gained what amounted to recognition of its sphere of influence over Poland, Finland, Romania, and the Baltics at the cost of a generous aid package to the Orthodox Council.

In May, the first widely used decentralized cryptocurrency known as digicoin was introduced. In the following years, a host of different cryptocurrencies would emerge with varying degrees of success. While these types of virtual money were meant for legal transactions their anonymity made them a favorite for less than reputable purchases on the globtrix.

2011 marked the start of an upwelling of interest in various retro and retrofuturistic styles in fashion and architecture throughout Europe and the Americas. While composed of several diverse sub-movements, the retro-wave, as it became known, popularized nostalgia for the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By the end of the year, it was not uncommon for dapper youths in many cities to sport waistcoats, pocket watches, and bowler hats.

In July, renowned East African astronomer Amir Kawawa, and his team at the Royal Astronomical Foundation announced the discovery of a new extrasolar planet orbiting Alpha Centauri C. Named Jirani, it was the closest extrasolar planet to Earth yet identified. Jirani appeared to be roughly earth sized and in the star’s habitable zone although it was thought to be tidally locked.

The 2011 World’s Fair was held in São Paulo. The ruling Brazilian Ecoist Party used the expo to highlight their efforts at creating an environmentally sustainable society. This included showcasing a new system of ultra high voltage direct current power lines that linked São Paulo to renewable solar and wind farms elsewhere in the country.

On August 30, the Republic of the Umbangi exploded into civil war after the pro-western president Winston Combs was assassinated by rogue army elements loyal to Colonel Den Ayandho. It was widely assumed that Ayandho was backed by members of the All-African Alliance especially West Africa and the Congo. While most Umbangians didn’t support Ayandho, the munitions and money supplied by the AAA gave his forces a decided advantage moving into 2012.

Near Christmas, the groundbreaking computer game Solsys Explorer was released by Köppen Entertainment to huge critical and commercial success. Allowing players to design their own spacecrafts and visit a myriad of exotic destinations in a futuristic solar system, Solsys Explorer was praised for its relatively realistic take on astrophysics and aeronautics.

 

[FleetMac]

Come on PTO. Get China to back down.

That reminds me, more weapon talk.....

With MacGregor's blessing, your wish is my command:

Name: Smith & Wesson Model 1899 Rifle
Designer: Smith & Wesson Firearms
Type: Lever-action repeater
Caliber: .30-45 [1]
Feed System: 5-round integral box
Adopted: 1902
Notes: Despite proving to be overall successful during the Spanish-American War, the 1872 Winchester rifle had a disadvantage in effective range compared to other nations' rifles (especially ones using "Spitzer" bullets and smokeless powder). As a result, a series of weapons selection boards were conducted from 1898-1900, largely stemming from President George Custer's 1897 Military Reform Act. Various designs were presented for consideration by the Department of War to be adopted as the new service rifle, including offerings from Winchester, Dreyse-Mauser, Tramond-Gras[2] and Mannlicher-Steyr. However, the ultimate winner was selected by Secretary of War Theodore Roosevelt in 1901; the Smith & Wesson[3] M1899 Rifle.

Mechanically interesting, it used a Browning-designed lever action that actually incorporated a five round stripper-clip loaded magazine (instead of a contemporary turn-bolt action) and chambered in the new .30-45 rifle cartridge which the Army had standardized as the new round for rifles and machine guns[4]. While the gun's action was somewhat weak compared to actions like those used by Dreyse-Mauser or Taylor-Jalenson, they were generally sturdy and reliable in the hands of trained soldiers, and served admirably on the Caribbean, Rhine and Alsace-Lorraine Fronts of the Great War. In particular, Franco-Bavarian reports from the Battle of Sundern revealed a frightening amount of lethal fire from attacking US Marines wielding the M1899, to the point where several troops believed they were under attack from British troops using the "Jalenson Gallop". Accurate and field-durable, it wasn't until the 1950s that these rifles were finally phased out (typically being used as sniper rifles by that time after some rechambering).

[1] Essentially the OTL .30-03, with the "45" designation indicating a 45-grain powder charge as used by the Army in the 19th century.
[2] ITTL, the name of the manufacturer of TTL's Lebel rifle equivalent.
[3] The astute amongst you may notice that this design was a Winchester one IOTL....chalk it up to butterflies around TTL's Browning family, industrial espionage, or a little of both.
[4] A key element here is that spitzer-style bullets fired using smokeless powder was quite possible with this rifle IOTL, and remains so ITTL.

 

[FleetMac]

You want more? You got it!

Name: 1944 Winchester Rifle
Designer: Winchester Armament Company
Type: Toggle-delayed blowback semiautomatic rifle
Caliber: .276 Light Rifle
Feed System: 10 round en-bloc
Adopted: 1947
Notes: Efforts to replace the 1899 Smith & Wesson began during the early Warburton Administration, once it became clear that self-loading rifles would be the future of small arms. However, while initial research and testing did occur starting in 1937, the program languished under the isolationist Kirkman presidency until field testing began in earnest in 1944. Thankfully, the War Department did manage to select a new service weapon two years before the US' entry into the South American War, the M1944 Winchester Rifle.

Developed by Peter Melvin of Laramie, the M1944 continued America's trend of using unconventional weapons designs for her Army. Two characteristics of note were the rifle's action, that of a toggle-delayed bolt similar to that of the famous Loewe pistol[1] in conjunction with delayed blowback as the means of operation. The other unique element was its ammunition.

While Army doctrine emphasized individual marksmanship only out to 300 yards (further distances being covered by mass rapid volley fire or crew-served heavy arms)[2], there was nonetheless a desire to increase the ammunition capacity of the individual soldier and provide more stable shots at distance. As such, the .276 (7x51mm) Light Rifle cartridge was developed, which was considerably flatter and milder shooting than the previously adopted .30-45. Interestingly, it utilized a thin layer of mineral wax coating to assist in extraction.

While effective enough in the field, the dusty climate of the Atacama produced cycling issues for U.S. troops, ironically stemming from the wax coating necessary for reliable feeding under testing conditions as much as the action's vulnerability to the ingress of mud and dirt. However, the ballistic and terminal effectiveness of small-bore rifle calibers had been conclusively proven.

[1] The OTL Luger pistol, here credited to Ludwig Loewe's weapon firm and not Georg Luger, who it could be argued merely improved someone else's design.
[2] With a POD in the Civil War, I decided to flip the script and make intermediate-power rifles, medium-range practical marksmanship and massed fire a characteristic of TTL's U.S. Army.

 

[FleetMac]

And here's the next one, since I'm on a roll;

Name: Springfield Model 1956 “Vicario” Rifle
Designer: Springfield Armory
Type: Gas-operated semiautomatic rifle
Caliber: .243 Liberty[1]
Feed System: 10, 20, 30-round detachable box
Adopted: 1956
Notes: Although the M1944 did acquit itself adequately during the South American War, the U.S. Military almost immediately began looking for a new rifle to replace it; not only was Melvin's design less robust than desired, the contemporary state of the art made detachable magazines a must for small arms[2]. Weapons trials were conducted in 1953 with input from representatives of all services (including the Army's quasi-autonomous Air Corps), and ultimately the design selected was one that was light, handy, accurate to 500 yards, used detachable magazines, and was produced by Springfield Armory[3]; the M1956 Rifle.

Designed by Santo Domingan mechanical engineer Nelson Vicario, it utilized a long-stroke gas-piston which, when fired, turned a two-lug rotating bolt. Almost immediately, the M1956E1 was devised which introduced a dust cover over the exposed operating rod along the right-hand side of the gun, with the intent of keeping the guide track clear of debris, dirt or mud[4]. It also introduced a three-round burst capability to provide an additional boost in firepower (the original design was semi-auto only), although this was no replacement for dedicated machine pistols [5] or machine guns.

While a reliable and accurate rifle, it never saw significant action in American service. However, it was an important weapon for two reasons. Most notably, it was chambered in the new standardized rifle round for the League of American Republics, which would be adopted by all LAR members (barring Associate members or British Commonwealth states, who were already using a separate weapons/ammunition train). In addition, it was the primary weapon used by Colombian troops to repel Venezuelan aggressors in the American Theater of the Asia-Pacific War, easily outperforming the aged and ungainly PQ-45 selfloading rifle[6] most Venezuelans carried.

[1] OTL 5.56x45mm necked up to this, with cannelured bullets to facilitate fragmentation.
[2] The Brits can take pride in leading the way here with their Taylor-Jalenson rifle.
[3] ITTL known mostly for manufacturing civilian sporting arms after the Civil War.
[4] Chalk it up to my unhealthy fascination with InRangeTV and their rather brutal mud tests for this caveat.
[5] Can't remember if "submachine gun" was ever coined, or if the United States uses the German-derived "machine pistol".
[6] Picture the OTL Type 4 rifle, only chambered in a rimless variant of the 6.5x50mm Arisaka.

 

[FleetMac]

Last rifle for the time being, I present;

Name: Smith & Wesson Model 1973 "Sully" Automatic Rifle
Designer: Smith & Wesson Firearms
Type: Direct-impingement automatic rifle
Caliber: .243 Liberty
Feed System: 30, 60, 100-round detachable box/coffin/drum
Adopted: 1973
Notes: By 1970, the U.S. Army under the MacArthur Administration had decided to develop a light-weight service rifle that would replace machine pistols and select side-arms while also increasing squad firepower. Research into light-weight polymers and aluminum would help bring down weapon weight while also permitting high volume fire. Ultimately, a design by aviation engineer J. Guillaume Sullivan and armorer Rick de la Vega would result in a design licensed to Smith & Wesson being the U.S. Military's new service rifle, the M1973 Automatic Rifle, or the "Sully Gun" in common parlance.

As expected from the example set by its predecessors, the M1973 used an unusual action; direct gas impingement, a system developed originally by Prussian inventor Heinrich Freiburg, wherein gas from a fired shot would act directly on the bolt and cycle it (and later improved by Century Armaments Factory in the United States by changing the impingement point to a bolt carrier group as an ersatz "micro gas piston"). While this theoretically would make for more fouling in the receiver and lead to severe maintenance issues, Sullivan and de la Vega made it clear to the Army that cleaning requirements would be higher than that of the M1956 Vicario [1]. However, the benefits of direct impingement more than made up for such characteristics.

The Sully Gun was America's primary service weapon in the Asia-Pacific War, and gave quite an excellent showing in the field. Not only was it less than eight pounds loaded and more accurate than the Vicario Rifle even at its expected range limit of 500 yards, it could lay down ferocious firepower (firing around 750rpm from a variety of magazines[2]). While Japanese troops had a deserved reputation for bloody-mindedness and a predilection for bayonet charges, the Sully Gun was discovered to inflict grievous wounds despite being considered low-powered compared to either the PQ-45 or PQ-66[3] due to its barrel twist causing high rates of bullet deformation upon hitting soft tissue, giving the rifle considerable stopping power.

As it stands, the M1973 still remains the primary U.S. Military service arm in its E3 format[4], a testament to its inherent versatility and proven combat effectiveness.

[1] Unlike OTL, there was no stick powder-ball powder issuing f**k-up that led to chronic jamming and malfunctions. Chalk it up to butterflies, S&W not promoting the gun as self-cleaning like Colt did IOTL, more thorough/less hectic ammo development, and (most satisfyingly IMO) no Robert Strange McNamara running the show.
[2] Box, coffin, and drum mags respectively. Of course the last option isn't terribly field-rugged by time the Asia-Pacific War goes down, but the other two certainly did the trick.
[3] Closer to an Italian BM59 in the paratrooper format.
[4] Think an M-4 lower receiver mated to an M16A1 upper receiver, only with modern accessory rails and optics. Better yet, like a pencil-weight barrel version of the Diemaco C7A2.

 

[Mac Gregor]

2012


Foreign and Domestic Developments ​

In January, Nevada became the first U.S. state to approve the use of autonomous automobiles, popular known as “aut-auts.” Several companies were working on aut-aut designs including Sentinel, VisQuest, and Autotopia but a practical model for the mass market was still a few years away.

The XIX Winter Olympiad was held in Burlington, Vermont the first winter Olympics to be held in the United States since 1960.

The civil war in the Republic of the Umbangi intensified as Nigeria deployed troops to prop up the existing government against Colonel Den Ayandho’s rebels. In response West Africa began covertly backing Muslim separatists in northern Nigeria resulting in a slew of bombings and drive by shootings. Later in the year, Congolese troops would be reported operating north of the Umbangi river despite official denials coming from Lukunga.

Still reeling from last year’s embarrassment over the Ryukyu Islands Crisis, Chinese Executive Yu Qishan made several provocative statements regarding the status of the Khanates of Mongolia and Uyghurstan resulting in forceful posturing by the Russians to protect their sphere of influence. Several analysts viewed these outbursts as signs that Yu might be losing his grip on power.

In the summer, the Kingdom of Tonga ended its protected state status regaining total control over its foreign affairs. Tonga under Queen Mele Tupou VI, who had recently transformed the nation into a constitutional monarchy, opted to stay a member of the ComNat.

On September 3, the research and development section of the German firm Krupp AG unveiled a new type of smart ammunition. Known as Die Wespe, the round could track its target when illuminated by a laser designator, updating its flight path dozens of times per second.

In November, Peter Rowland became only the second American president in history to ever be elected to a third term. A strong economy and his deft handling of continuing technocratic aggression convinced a majority of voters to stick with Rowland and the Republicans. Although it was Rowlands closest presidential election to day, many Democrats were still apoplectic about yet another electoral defeat. Despite the loss, the Democratic candidates Governors Caleb Greenhalgh of Pennsylvania and Roger Lefevre of Panama acquitted themselves well with Lefevre becoming a rising star in the party.

On December 21, 86 members of a neo-Mayan cult committed mass suicide at a remote camp in the Yucatán Peninsula. The Mexican government of President Amalia Orozco was criticized for ignoring warning signs that the group was planning something dangerous on the supposed end-date of the 5,126-year Mesoamerican Long Count calendar.

2012 Presidential Election​

 

[FleetMac]

Name: Winchester M1902 General Machine Gun
Designer: Winchester Armament Company
Type: Short-recoil operated machine gun
Caliber: .30-45/.276 Light Rifle (converted in 1945-46)
Feed System: Non-disintegrating belt (converted to disintegrating in 1920)
Adopted: 1904
Notes: While the United States had recognized the value of machine guns early on, there was really only one design used by U.S. Armed Forces from the time of the Great War to the end of the South American War, the M1902 Machine Gun. Under a patent by Matthew S. Browning [1], the weapon was originally issued as a water-cooled recoil operated heavy machine gun by the time of the Great War (although mid- and post-war development led to a switch to an air-cooled design and disintegrating ammunition belts). A solid and dependable workhorse, its 550-rpm cyclic rate offered a steady stream of fire that, while not as impressive as other countries' works, accomplished its stated task of suppressing and denying ground to enemy infantry.

By the time of the South American War, an infantry support version was adopted with a bipod, lightening cuts in the receiver for easier carry, and a rifle stock for more accurate mid-range fire[2]. That being said, one negative of the weapon was that it still was a relatively cumbersome and awkward machine gun despite its "General" moniker. This version and the previous iterations would be replaced in the '70s by an actual attempt at a general purpose machine gun.

[1] The brother of OTL's John Browning, since IIRC he didn't get into the firearms business ITTL. And as for the disparity in time-frame for this weapon's adoption, apparently the patent in OTL was issued in 1900, but then not even touched for a decade. ITTL work started right away on the gun instead of being shelved, hence its earlier adoption.

[2] One heavy element of TTL's "Stinger" is a bog-standard bolt instead of the faster firing one used in OTL's T33, so the control issues of OTL don't exist.

 

[Mac Gregor]

2013


Domestic and Foreign Developments

Flag of the Dominion of Gordonia​

On January 28, the Dominion of Gordonia achieved full independence inside of the Commonwealth of Nations. Bucking the trend of most new nations produced by decolonization, Gordonia opted to keep Queen Victoria II as head of state and the Union Jack in the canton of their flag. The fact that most Gordnonians chose to embrace their imperial heritage was viciously attacked by the Pan-African press in neighboring Abyssinia.

In February, Yu Qishan was ousted as Executive by the Central Committee of the Technate of China after 13 years in office. He was replaced by Yang Zhanshu a senior official in the Directorate of Economics. While China and the rest of the Technocratic Union had undoubtedly prospered under Yu, his embarrassing failure during the Ryukyu Island Crisis and bellicose brinkmanship undermined his ability to lead. In comparison, Yang Zhanshu favored what he termed the “long plan” of achieving geopolitical dominance. Less of a doctrinarian, Yang sought to strengthen China’s ties with nations in Africa and Asia even if they were not technocratic.

Over the course of the year, the French corporation Étendue became the largest distributor of audio books in the world. With an easy to use interface, customers were able to choose from a massive library of books on the globtrix and then listen on their computer or mobile phone.

After decades of debate, Congress approved the retrocession of a sizeable portion of Washington D.C. to the State of Maryland. By ceding most of the cities of Washington, Georgetown, and Anacostia to Maryland the citizens residing therein would finally have congressional representation and be able to vote in presidential elections. This mirrored the retrocession of Washington D.C.’s territory south of the Potomac River to Virginia in 1846. A reduced District of Columbia continued to exist but was limited to the area surrounding key federal buildings, the National Mall, and Mason’s Island.

German automobile manufacturer Reichwagen began experimenting with increased voltage for its electric and hybrid model autos dramatically increasing their range. Other automobile companies would soon follow suit including Japan’s Orikasa Motors which would overtake Reichwagen in the electric/hybrid market by the end of the decade.

The destabilization caused by the Umbangi Civil War continued to spread, with a West African backed insurgency infecting northern Nigeria. Sporadic engagements between Nigerian and All-African Alliance aircraft and naval vessels were threatening to turn the conflict into a full blown regional war.

In November, China, Germany, and the United States utilized the low energy Lasswitz transfer orbit window to launch equipment and supplies to Mars. These shipments were to be used later by astronauts when they arrived on the Red Planet. Unfortunately for China, their spacecraft would fail to successfully decelerate after its eight and half month journey. This was a huge blow to the Chinese Martian program as another launch window would not occur until 2016.

On December 12, a team of French, Italian, and Spanish scientists announced the first detection of gravitational waves after years of exhaustive study. The waves were traced back to a collision of two massive black holes occurring 1.3 billion years ago.

 

[FleetMac]

Got another American weapon post to put out, sorry if it seems a bit light on details;

Name: Puch-Springfield M1977 General Machine Gun
Designer: Dreyse-Mauser, Turin Division
Type: Roller-delayed blowback general-purpose machine gun
Caliber: .276 Light Rifle[1]
Feed System: Disintegrating belt
Adopted: 1978
Notes: The M1902 was a good design, but also not one suited for infantry use in the modern era. To remedy this, President MacArthur initiated a weapons inventory overhaul that would ostensibly replace light and medium machine guns in current use with one light-weight design. While many domestic designs would be tested, the chosen model would be a Springfield-licensed variant of a German-Italian design called the SP-55 by Dreyse-Mauser engineer Theodor Puch, and titled the M1977 GMG in American use.

The M1977 used a roller-delayed blowback action similar to the German MG49, with a 900 RPM cyclic rate (as opposed to the MG49's 1200+ rate). This was felt to be an acceptable measure for both infantry support and defensive position purposes, but a heavier bolt would often be issued with infantry outfits to drop said ROF by about a hundred rounds per minute. Being lighter weight (12 lbs. clean, less than 20 with bipod and ammunition), better balanced and more ergonomic than the M1902, the M1977 was a success during America's combat role in the Asia-Pacific War, being far more handy to use in the fast-paced fight against Japanese troops while also being capable as a heavy machine gun if needed (due to its quick-change barrel design), although this typically would fall to the M1910 HMG[2]. Like the "Sully Gun", the M1977 "Puke"[3] continues to be the primary infantry machine gun to this day for the U.S. Armed Forces.

[1] Retained by LAR member countries for machine gun and sniper duties, which the .243 Liberty is somewhat underpowered to perform. Just picture a slightly stretched and bulked receiver/feeding assembly to accommodate the slightly longer cartridge compared to OTL's design.
[2] A light-weight machine gun isn't really optimal for sustained or final-protective fires. Enter the realm of the .50....
[3] Derived from the allophonic "Puch" in American usage.