The Acta Publica

[Lumine]

On what day in 2020 was the first Covid case recorded in Atlasia?

January 21st, 2020, according to GM Ninja:

The first victim was an anonymous man in his 30s residing in Everett, Washington. He was previously in Wuhan before leaving earlier in the months, arriving at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on a Delta Airlines flight from Beijing. He reported to Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett on January 21st, after feeling symptoms.

[Lumine]

On the seventeenth year since the founding of the REPUBLIC,
under the Presidency of Scott and the Vice Presidency of BattistaMinola

NEWS UPDATE / INTERNATIONAL

4th Taiwan Strait Crisis (III)
Taiwan temporarily relieved via international airlift,
NATO joins Atlasia in wide-ranging effort, Taiwanese destroyer sunk,
Xi Jinping received by Putin in Moscow state visit, sparking speculation

TAIPEI - Republic of China - Following ROC President Tsai's speech invoking the precedent of the 1948-1949 Berlin airlift, the Republic of Atlasia responded swiftly not only by pushing further sanctions against the People's Republic of China, but by formally starting the process for said airlift. Although efforts to get NATO allies to join the partial economic embargo have yielded mixed results - with the noteworthy exception of the UK, with Prime Minister Smith receiving opposition support to take on China as a response to the repression in Hong Kong -, the call for the airlift and to support the civilian population has galvanized allied leaders. Perhaps crucially, the decision by Japanese PM Fumio Kishida to join the coalition efforts has significantly eased logistical issues, allowing flights to take off from Okinawa and Kyushu into the blockaded island. Thus, the first flights by the Atlasian Air Force have been recently joined by volunteer allied crews from several - but not all - NATO participants.

The decision has had a dramatic domestic effect in Taiwan, bolstering civilian morale and helping prevent a collapse of President Tsai's efforts to prevent disaster. Still, although the first flights over recent weeks have eased the strain of the blockade, they still face a number of crucial challenges: the population of the ROC is almost ten times that of 1948's Berlin (23 million vs 2,5 million), and most NATO countries have scaled down conventional forces due to spending cuts in the recent decade. It remains to be seen whether sufficient aircraft can be destined to the airlift task. Thus far, Chinese commanders on the coastline have not taken directly hostile steps against the large cargo aircraft, but the Chinese Air Force has been harassing and/or disrupting a number of flights. Perhaps more decisively, the PRC navy has retaliated against the Taiwanese decision to fire back on private blockade vessels, resulting in the sinking of a ROC destroyer on February 13th. Although President Tsai has denounced this as a further act of aggression, Beijing state media has alternatively denied the incident or claimed it was sunk by Taiwanese friendly fire.

Although questions remain unanswered regarding the availability of aircraft and the increasingly vocal complains of local Atlasian companies who allege being placed under severe economic strain by the embargo executive orders, the airlift has proved a success on its early stages. On Beijing's side, and shortly after a dramatic announcement by North and South Korea regarding their reunification talks, President Xi Jinping - his political position now firmly secured - recently and unexpectedly appeared on the Kremlin for a state visit with President Putin. There, both men are believed to have held extensive talks, the first clear sign of Sino-Russian rapprochement since the Second Korean War.

[Lumine]

On the seventeenth year since the founding of the REPUBLIC,
under the Presidency of Scott and the Vice Presidency of BattistaMinola

NEWS UPDATE / INTERNATIONAL

Breakthrough in Korean Reunification
After months of stalemate, surprise compromise is reached,
North and South negotiations agree on tentative framework,
March election in South Korean seen as decisive for process

SEOUL - Republic of Korea - In the immediate aftermath of the January 2020 referendum and the start of unification talks in March of that same year, many Koreans were optimistic - perhaps excessively so - that the process could be far shorter than initially expected, and allow the two now democratic Koreas to find a faster route to unity than the decades many envisioned. Soon this optimistic clashed with the grim realities of such a complex dilemma, so difficult so as to make West and East Germany comparisons virtually pointless. With the political dispute over the Kim trial and the the ongoing political rivalry between North Korean President Choe and Prime Minister Thae stalling the talks, it was only in the latter part of 2021 that talks started to make progress. Thus the political framework started to take form, and extensive and difficult talks were then held about the status of the border - which thousands of North Koreans still try to cross every day - and, more decisively, about the challenge of uniting two vastly different economies.

It was therefore a surprise to many when, on February 15th, Presidents Choe and Moon were able to announce in a press conference near the 38th Parallel that a breakthrough had been reached, and a framework agreed between both nations. Recognizing the enormous challenge ahead, the so called Panmunjom Framework proposes the establishment of a Korean Economic Community to steadily standardize the North Korean economy, with a referendum on the establishment of a Korean Federation (a joint federalized, semi-presidential democratic state) to follow ten years after that. Among other measures, the framework recognizes a desire for neutrality and eventual dismantlement of the demilitarized zone, and amnesty for the current North Korean government. In a key win for Pyongyang, South Korea has expressed its willingness to allow for clear migration controls, theoretically preventing the sort of population drain that collapsed East Germany. Though unconfirmed, some reports claim the ongoing Taiwan Strait Crisis may have added pressure on both Koreans to reach an agreement.

The Panmunjom Framework is expected to receive support from the North Korean democratic institutions after the resolution of a long-term political crisis, in which President Choe was able to outmaneuver and depose Prime Minister Thae and replace him with fellow coalition member Ji Seong-ho. PM Ji's appointment has puzzled observers due to his background as a famed and disabled activist defector, leading to speculations on whether his appointment has more to do with international perceptions than an actual intent for Ji to wield actual power. It is, ironically, in South Korea that the most resistance is expected, with polls suggestion the younger generation is far more hostile to reconciliation and may not be interested in facing the costs of the process. With popular and term-limited President Moon set to be replaced in the March 2022 Presidential Election, many believe the contest between frontrunners Lee Jae-myung (Democratic, center-left, who supports the framework) and Yoon Seok-youl (People Power, right-wing, critical of the framework) will serve as an unofficial referendum on the matter.

[Lumine]

On the seventeenth year since the founding of the REPUBLIC,
under the Presidency of Scott and the Vice Presidency of BattistaMinola

NEWS UPDATE / INTERNATIONAL

"NAFTA 2.0" makes progress
President López Obrador endorses Atlasian proposal,
Prime Minister Trudeau unwilling to concede in crucial points,
Domestic politics start to influence planned renegotiation

OTTAWA - Canada - President Scott's efforts to renegotiate NAFTA - into what observes unofficially describe as "NAFTA 2.0" - have made significant progress in recent days as the Mexican and Canadian governments have carefully reviewed the formal proposal issued from the White House, and made their own response afterwards. Mexican President López Obrador, whose style of politics appears to resemble that of the Administration in some economic regards - less so on social matters - has been quick to give his approval for the overall document, stating that Mexico is willing to sign on five of the six points. While particularly enthusiastic about the planned reform or removal of Chapter 19, which allow him to pursue his agenda of greater state control and investment in the Mexican oil industry, López Obrador has nonetheless signaled that Mexico can only go so far on points 3 and 4. Thus far, and beyond suggesting the need for greater protection for Mexican farmers, López Obrador has only vaguely opposed ending Chapter 10 (proposal number 5), and/or suggested Mexico will expect a quid pro quo for it.

The reaction from Canada has been less positive, while still committed to some form of NAFTA renegotiation. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, currently under siege by major anti-vax protests via the "Freedom Convoy", has signaled a similar willingness to concede points 1 through 4 (with 4 requiring a more specific number in terms of percentage). However, and unlike López Obrador, Trudeau has expressed firm opposition with points 5 and 6, arguing that the former would restrict Canadian contractors even further, and that the latter remains a crucial part of the treaty which is indispensable for Canada. Although his focus is currently on ending the protests via the use of emergency powers, Trudeau took the time to sharply criticize the Atlasian Senate over the recent debate of the "Erin O’Toole Canadian-Atlasian Merger Act", which he has called "an affront to Canadian sovereignty". While this has not been made explicit, many believe the Canadian government will be unwilling to fully pursue the renegotiation process so long as Atlasia continues to float the notion of annexation.

[Lumine]

On the seventeenth year since the founding of the REPUBLIC,
under the Presidency of Scott and the Vice Presidency of BattistaMinola

NEWS UPDATE / NATIONAL

The Liberty Convoy
Inspired by Canadian "Freedom Convoy", anti-vax protesters join forces,
demanding an end to the Immunization Act of 2021, protests erupt in major cities,
"Liberty Convoy" organized in social media, set for February 21st

NYMAN, Atlasia - With acts of defiance by anti-vax Atlasians having remained thus far confined to isolated refusals to comply with the Immunization Act of 2021 and/or other types of restriction, the ongoing and dramatic events in Canada - which have Prime Minister Trudeau in a difficult position - have inspired and galvanized the anti-vax movement, encouraging them to take additional steps of their own. Although only an estimated 13-15% of Atlasians have not been vaccinated against COVID 19 at least once, the apparent minority have proved surprisingly vocal in social media, using different platforms to disseminate talking points condemning present legislation and past or current measures, and demanding action. As a result, a number of protests - peaceful for the most part, with isolated incidents of violence - have erupted in major cities across Atlasia, with local anti-vaxxers expressing solidarity with the Canadian "Freedom Convoy" and demanding, in the words of local protester Erskine Lester: "an end to government oppression and their trampling of our civil liberties."

Encouraged by recent legislation such as the South's It's An Emergency Act - passed and currently awaiting signature from the Governor -, which would prohibit mask mandates, COVID vaccine mandates, and would argue for the nullification of the Immunization Act of 2021, protesters demand that their respective regions or states enact similar bills of their own. Equally inspired by the language of the bill, it has become common in such protests to hear expressions like "needle rape" and "face burkas". Although the Medical Freedom Act, current debated before the Senate, would aim to end the Immunization Act by March 1st, 2023, most of the anti-vax activists have argued that waiting for a year is unacceptable, and that the bill must be stuck down immediately. On the other side, public health experts and pro-vaccination activists have condemned such protests, calling the Immunization Act necessary and the seeming rise of anti-vax rhetoric as "dangerous".

Isolated thus far, the anti-vax protests have begun to coordinate via social media, starting to organize a similar truck-based protest than the one currently seen in Canada. Thus, a self-described "Liberty Convoy" has been organized and planned for a mass February 21st protest in Nyman, in the aftermath of the coming election.

[Lumine]

I struggled over the last couple of days on whether I should just follow the storyline we're seeing before our very eyes in real life or not, particularly as part of the groundwork had been placed (without intending to) back in January. However, I feel it is not yet appropriate to do so, at the very least because the current situation is much too flexible and unpredictable to simulate, particularly as the actual scope of Russian intentions/ambitions, while possible to predict, is not yet entirely clear. Also, from a purely personal point of view, because somehow it seems in bad taste. People are welcome to disagree on that last point, it's really a feeling I just can't shake despite my usual cynicism.

Having said all this, please bear in mind the situation in game is still tense and serious. And just as important, that we still face another vital scenario in the Taiwan-China conflict which has not yet found a resolution and which the Administration is interacting with.

CLARIFICATION / FOREIGN POLICY

Ukraine

Although, as of the recent weeks, much of the tension surrounding Russia and Ukraine has indeed taken place, including mobilization of Russian troops and the apparent threat of an invasion (see: Acta Publica updates on January 16th, 2022), the escalation of the last few days, including the recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics and the acts which appear to be prelude for an invasion have not yet taken place.

[Mr. Reactionary]

I struggled over the last couple of days on whether I should just follow the storyline we're seeing before our very eyes in real life or not, particularly as part of the groundwork had been placed (without intending to) back in January. However, I feel it is not yet appropriate to do so, at the very least because the current situation is much too flexible and unpredictable to simulate, particularly as the actual scope of Russian intentions/ambitions, while possible to predict, is not yet entirely clear. Also, from a purely personal point of view, because somehow it seems in bad taste. People are welcome to disagree on that last point, it's really a feeling I just can't shake despite my usual cynicism.

Having said all this, please bear in mind the situation in game is still tense and serious. And just as important, that we still face another vital scenario in the Taiwan-China conflict which has not yet found a resolution and which the Administration is interacting with.

CLARIFICATION / FOREIGN POLICY

Ukraine

Although, as of the recent weeks, much of the tension surrounding Russia and Ukraine has indeed taken place, including mobilization of Russian troops and the apparent threat of an invasion (see: Acta Publica updates on January 16th, 2022), the escalation of the last few days, including the recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics and the acts which appear to be prelude for an invasion have not yet taken place.

This makes sense as Atlasia recognized Crimea as Russia a few years back.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Thanks for the clarification, Lumine. Frankly, the NSC started out with so much on our plate that the last thing we needed was another conflict, which itself is fairly similar to the one between China and Taiwan.

[Lumine]

A lot of things to state. As I have told the President, I am on my way out of the GM position - it's fairly easy to tell I've lost enthusiasm for a number of reasons -, and will do so once I can bring certain storylines to an end so as not saddle any successor with too many unfinished stories.

Now, obviously, the backlog is going to be dealt with, but some rather important stuff has been going on over the past couple of days, and needs to be addressed as well. Expect Kansas updates (as well as my catching up on a number of stories I hadn't written before) through the night.

[Lumine]

Requesting, if possible, 30 minutes without actions - I don't mean commentary or debate, just formal actions - so I can start delivering updates.

[Lumine]

On the eighteenth year since the founding of the REPUBLIC,
under the Presidency of OBD and the Vice Presidency of Utah Neolib

NEWS UPDATE / NATIONAL

CRISIS – Bleeding Kansas
Following passage of “Our Kansas Act”,
Federal government warns of treasonous conspiracy, takes dramatic action,
As troops enter Kansas, first shots are exchanged amidst talk of mutinies on both sides,
Kansas state government holds emergency meeting in Topeka,
First casualties are reported

TOPEKA, Kansas – It all started with a resolution, some observers assert. To others, recent events are merely an explosion of tensions started two years ago, and which after a Supreme Court case, state elections and increasingly heated rhetoric, have resulted in a violent showdown across an Atlasian state. To many, these recent events represent the most serious outbreak of domestic violence in the post-reset Republic, and the crisis remains ongoing. In the aftermath of the Southern Legislature approving the “Our Kansas Act” on March 25th, declaring Kansas a Southern state – as per the Atlasian and Southern Constitution – and warning that attempts to “invade”, “terrorize” and/or “annex” the state would be considered an act of war, and met by the deployment of the National Guard and/or militia, authorizing the Governor (Federalist and former Presidential candidate Louisville Thunder) to levy such forces to, in this interpretation, protect the state from outside violence.

This, in turn, met with stinging rebukes from the Federal Government and from a number of prominent Frémont politicians, the latter of which maintain – as has been their position for the past two years – that the state, due to a number of historic and cultural factors, should be part of the Commonwealth of Frémont. After public calls for urgent action against the Southern Government, led by officeholders such as PPT Western Democrat – who denounced that the South was about to “engage in rebellion”, matters came to a head on March 26th, following several hours of heated speeches and denunciations of pro-Frémont and pro-South Unionists. From the White House, President OBD signed the dramatic Executive Order 55:02, outlining the following:

-Declaring the “Our Kansas Act” a prelude to a rebellion, a conspiracy on by itself to instigate violence.
-Ordering the Southern National Guard and/or militia to desist and disperse from Kansas.
-Transfer control of the state of Kansas to the Commonwealth of Frémont.
-Deployment of the Atlasian Armed Forces to maintain peace” and “transfer control of the state”.
-Authorization to the Attorney General to federalize the Southern National Guard.

Shortly afterwards, and after leaving the White House, Attorney General and First Minister Truman delivered a speech on “the nature of the struggle in Kansas”. In it, he confirmed that both the Atlasian Armed Forces and the Frémont National Guard as well were starting to advance on the state of Kansas in a police action, claiming that a series of acts of violence had been perpetrated from the Southern National Guard against peaceful pro-Frémont protesters. Despite an apparent rebuke of the Executive Order’s provision transferring Kansas to Frémonter control, the Attorney General also stated that solving the status of Kansas via constitutional means was impossible while “the legions of the Nashville government are deployed to harass and intimidate the peaceful and law-abiding citizens of Kansas.”

As said forces enter the state of Kansas, there are reports of shootouts at the border and of casualties, not being yet determined whether they are only wounded or also dead. As this happens, Lincoln Governor KaiserDave has also mobilized the Lincoln National Guard on both the Southern and Frémonter borders, supporting the pro-Frémont position while asserting that they wanted “no part on this war.” As of very recently, Southern politician Mr. R has already urgently petitioned the Supreme Court in the name of the South to strike down the President’s executive order, asserting it would be unconstitutional.

Let us now take a look at other recent developments in Kansas.

[Lumine]

CRISIS – Bleeding Kansas
Kansas State Government

TOPEKA, Kansas – Southern Governor James Benson (KS-DA) is no stranger to violence, having been almost kidnapped by the radical "Pathfinder" terrorist group back in December 2020 before the FBI executed a successful raid and foiled the conspiracy. Elected on a "Southern Unionist" platform in the September 2020 state elections - which gave the pro-South candidates and parties a commanding victory over their opposition, and then re-elected in April 2021, Governor Benson has been harshly critical of what he considers "irresponsible language" on behalf of several key actors in the Kansas debate since 2020. Nonetheless, and despite some qualms with the language of the "Our Kansas Act" - which he considered overtly aggressive - the Governor has bitterly reacted to the President's Executive Order 55:02 and the Attorney General's subsequent statements.

Declaring recent actions by the Federal Government an "act of federal tyranny", the Governor has publically condemned the crossing of military forces into the Kansas border, and called the Kansas legislature for an emergency session. Installed in Topeka despite the relative proximity of approaching Federal and Frémonter troops, the legislature has met, party lines becoming somewhat blurred as a DA-Federalist majority - alongside a few Labor representatives and some independents elected as Liberals - has passed a resolution condemning the actions of the Federal Government, declaring Kansas a Southern state, and calling on the Governor (as well as the Supreme Court) to protect the state from what they described in their resolution as "an invasion" of their state.

As of the last few minutes, the pro-Frémonter minority in the legislature, led by State Senator Hank Secord (KS-LAB) has been seen talking together, and considering a walk-out of the building in protest against the Governor and the legislative majority. The current make-up of the legislature - numbers of pro-South and pro-Frémont representatives are not yet 100% clear - is based off the April 2021 election:

Kansas State Election:

Standard Southern System

Party/Alliance		Votes (%)		Seats
Democratic Alliance		59%		72 Reps / 27 Senators
Liberal Party		25%		30 Reps / 6 Senators
Federalist Party		11%		15 Reps / 5 Senators
Labor Party		5%		5 Reps / 2 Senators
Total				125 Reps / 40 Senators

Gubernatorial result:
DA win, Governor Benson reelected

Incoming Legislature:
DA House majority and Senate supermajority

[Lumine]

Panic in Topeka, Nashville - Citizens seek shelter

NASHVILLE - Tennessee - Citzens in the Southern capital of Nashville (as well as in other prominent cities of the region) have been glued to their phones and televisions over the past few hours, watching footage of the recent events regarding Kansas as well as declarations from prominent politicians, which have had an unexpected impact. While describing to the press a conversation he had with the Attorney General, PPT Western Democrat stated not only that troops were crossing the Kansas border, but that airstrikes were taking place as well. Despite the lack of confirmation for such claims - and news sources have been unable to confirm that any aerial action has taken place - citizens have panicked at said comments, with many expecting imminent bombing as a result. While the panic has been greater in Kansas' main cities, the constant rhetoric denouncing Nashville itself has spooked many of its residents, some of which have been seen on live TV scrambling to reach a shelter or to take refuge in the subways out of fear of action by the Air Force.

[Lumine]

Shots fired at the border - 9 confirmed dead

LIBERAL/CONSERVATIVE - Kansas - The town of Liberal (symbolically renamed Conservative by former Governor MB) was until today the only site in which people died as a result of the ongoing conflict over Kansas. During the May 2020 riots, in which the Southern National Guard and a number of pro-Frémont protesters who had marched from the Commonwealth, violent strife and street fights between both groups resulted in the death of local resident Jonathan Lang (27) unaffiliated with either group, as well as 43 injured. This milestone has now been surpassed as of the last couple of hours as a number of units from the Atlasian Armed forces and the Frémont National Guard have crossed the border into Kansas at different points. Although cities such as Liberal/Conservative have not been reached yet, the towns and border crossings that have been approached by troops have seen several acts of violence.

Whereas, in some parts, Federal troops crossed unmolested or were able to defuse tension with local residents and law enforcement, in others active gunfights have emerged, pitting soldiers and Frémont Guardsmen against Southern Guardsmen that have rejected Federalization, local law enforcement, and the first militiamen, armed with their own personal guns. Reports of these small skirmishes and battles come associated with unconfirmed anecdotes often shared via Twitter and other social networks, in which there is talk of some Southern Guardsmen rejecting Federalization, and of others remaining neutral due to conflicting orders and loyalties; as well as a reluctance of Southern-born troops and officers in the regular army to enter Kansas.

Thus far, admittance into local hospitals and clinics suggests there's at least nine dead - all of gunshot wounds -, including victims from both sides as well as otherwise uninvolved civilians. As more and more wounded start to appear, it remains unclear how much progress the Federal intervention is doing, and how firm - or how real - the actual resistance to it is.

[Lumine]

Was there repression of a pro-Frémont protest?

COFFEYVILLE - Kansas - Although the night is young, many of the posts in social media which justify or otherwise support the federal intervention into the state of Kansas cite the repression of a pro-Frémont protest by the Southern National Guard, the act of violence that might have started the actual crisis. A number of experts have traced reports of the incident to claims that troops fired on unarmed protesters in the town of Coffeyville, Kansas, resulting in multiple casualties. Thus far, even prominent pro-Frémont Kansas officeholders - such as State Senator Secord - have gone on the record judging the incident to be real, and even pronouncing those supposedly dead as "the first martyrs of a free Kansas". Thus far, officers in the Southern National Guard (including those who have declined to choose between the Governor and the President) have categorically denied that said events took place, and news sources have been unable to find corroborating evidence. For the moment, all evidence regarding the Coffeyville incident are social media reports, and it is expected the controversy may be fully clarified later on.

[Lumine]

CLARIFICATION / CRISIS EVENT

Kansas

For the sake of clarify within the current situation in Kansas - and upon complaints - it is clarified that - and it can be ascertained from current posts thus far - the Governor of the South has not declared a state of emergency not mobilized the Southern National Guard out of his own authority. Present acts of resistance to Federal authority and/or intervention within the state of Kansas, including that of troops - which may have mobilized on the first place following the President's authority only to resist later - have not been legally sanctioned by the Governor of the South. This clarification should not, theoretically, contradict previously reported events.

[Lumine]

On the eighteenth year since the founding of the REPUBLIC,
under the Presidency of Utah Neolib and the Vice Presidency of Scott

NEWS UPDATE / NATIONAL

Bleeding Kansas- The Aftermath
A shaken state and region try to return to normal,
Casualties from federal intervention though to be at several hundred,
Infrastructure and public services in Kansas left damaged,
Distrust against federal authority at an all time high

TOPEKA, Kansas – As reporters continue to cycle across the damaged streets of Topeka, where barricades raised either by civilians or the National Guard have only been removed in recent days, a constant question is in their lips: "what do you make of what happened here?" For some, questions are intrusive or insensitive, and perhaps even suspicious, leaving a few well-known anchors on the receiving end of a slap or a cold shoulder. For others, it's an opportunity to speak out and express some of their feelings at the events of late March and most of April, perhaps the most brutal explosion of violence in Atlasian soil since 2015. There are all kinds of opinions, but those favorable of the intervention - or indeed, towards the late Frémonter claim to Kansas - are hard to find. When asked about the answers he's received, local news reporter Josiah Kent provides the following material:

-"I still can't believe they did it... you know, invade our state. Murder people. Pit us against each other. And for what? What was the point?" ("Hamza", aged 34)

-"I had good friends living close to the border, and they decided to fight the Frémonters and the Feds. (Sighs) Haven't seen them since. To me they're heroes." ("Mark", aged 22)

-"I'm not one to "both sides" this kind of stuff, you know. But they shot poor Hank Secord in their home, these Dixie Legion radicals. I haven't heard anyone condemn them, and I ask people about that a lot." (Margaret, aged 55)

-"Look, I'm glad the President got those b*stards off our backs. And I'm d*mn glad Congress did something useful for once. But never again am I trusting another son of a b*tch in Nyman, ever again!" (Seamus, aged 72)

-"This state won't be the same for a very long time. We have a lot of healing to do." (Chaim, aged 46)

-"Personally, I'm applying for a gun permit now. The next time they want to come into our state and cause trouble, I'm taking a rifle. Enough is enough." (Summer, aged 28)

-"I try not to blame ordinary people. Frémonters did vote to make it clear we didn't belong with them. Still, someone has to be guilty. Not for nothing that... man was in power for so long." (Isabel, aged 33)

After a series of presidential executive orders issued between April 25th and April 29th, all military forces occupying the state and/or other portions of the South promptly withdrew to their bases, resulting in Kansas being virtually free of violence for over two weeks. While there has been occasional rioting in cities left without resources, as well as a few acts of revenge against perceived pro-Frémont politicians - described in social media as "collaborators" -, thus far local enforcement has been able to contain such instances. This in spite of heavy losses during the so-called "occupation", as many local policemen ignored express orders not to resist to fire upon units trying to enter the state. The issue of casualties remains open for speculation and in lack of an official answer. Thus far, it's generally agreed the occupation of Kansas resulted in at least a few hundred deaths, the bulk of with was concentrated either at the crossing of the state borders or during the last days of the OBD administration.

While focused on reconstruction, many believe efforts will be necessary to clarify not only the extent of the damage, but of the loss of life. In the meantime, Governor Benson and the state government are perceived to be hard at work in trying to restore urban life to normalcy, but several cities and town still lack access to basic resources and/or face an almost entire lack of public services, heavily disrupted during April. For his part, Governor Benson has now formally requested help from Nyman, urging either the Utah Neolib Administration or the Senate - or both - to enact measures to help Kansas rebuild and, more urgently, to assist those areas in the state ravaged after the federal intervention.

At the federal level, there are other awkward questions to be potentially answered by the incoming Cabinet, ranging from how to handle DOJ officers who served loyally - or unquestionably - under former Attorney General Truman, to how to treat National Guardsmen who defied orders to enter Kansas, or to deal with those who resisted them and/or fired upon the troops. The same question applies to officers and troops who may have interpreted the rhetoric of the former AG liberally, and who many within the state view as responsible for much of the damage that was inflicted. From a symbolic point of view, the regions have undertaken some steps towards potential reconciliation, ranging from a successful Frémont referendum recognizing Kansas as part of the South with a stunning 88% of the vote, to recent friendship resolutions passed in the South that are complimentary of the Lincoln Region.

It could very well be argued that the worst is indeed over. But for the residents of Kansas, the crisis and its multiple, unforeseeable ramifications are far from being solved.

[Lumine]

On the eighteenth year since the founding of the REPUBLIC,
under the Presidency of Utah Neolib and the Vice Presidency of Scott

NEWS UPDATE / INTERNATIONAL

2022 British General Election (Part One)
After four years in office, PM Smith calls for a GE,
Citing difficult parliamentary arithmetic, Smith asks for a big mandate,
With the Opposition badly divided, a Labour victory appears likely

LONDON - United Kingdom - Following the sheer collective political drama of 2016-2018, in which a "Soft Brexit" was only accomplished via the Hammond-Barnier Treaty after prolonged negotiations, coalition governments, and five Prime Ministers from beginning to end of the crisis (Cameron, May, Heseltine, Clarke and Smith), it appears Britain is headed to the polls once again. Having risen from obscurity to unseat Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader, and then from chaos into Downing Street 10, Labour Prime Minister Owen Smith can boast a number of accomplishments in his four year term: crucially, an early victory in the 2018 Scottish Independence Referendum delivered a crippling blow for the SNP, and the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland has temporarily stalled fears of the union collapsing.

The COVID-19 pandemic struck the Smith Ministry hard, with the Prime Minister being harshly criticized for his initial response to the crisis both from his Opposition critics as well as by an "awkward squad" of hard-left Labour rebels. It was only after a massively successful vaccination campaign that the PM rebounded on his approval ratings, to the point in which Labour has sit comfortable ahead of the polls in the last year. This, along with the significant frustrations experienced by Smith regarding his internal critics in the party (who variously deride him as "dull" or "overtly technocratic"), has apparently convinced the Prime Minister not to finish the five-year parliamentary term, and to call for an early election in the mold of Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair.

Perhaps the biggest advantage for the Prime Minister is the state of the Opposition, badly divided and lagging behind in the polls. In Scotland, the battered Scottish National Party is trying to cling on its thirty-odd seats after losing the First Ministership to a Unionist coalition last year, all while SNP Leader Humza Yousaf is forced to fend off Alex Salmond's rebel Alba Party. From the PM's left, the Greens - recently buoyed by limited gains in London - have to fight George Galloway's latest project, the Workers Party of Britain, which criticizes Smith at the same being for being "too woke" and "not leftist enough". The PM's biggest obstacle is the Leader of His Majesty's Opposition, Rory Stewart, who has led the Conservatives since 2019 and who, for a time, led Smith in the polls during the latter's lowest point.

Still, although Stewart's moderate and liberal instincts have successfully disarmed Leyla Moran's Liberal Democrats - who appear headed for another harsh defeat -, they have also fueled his critics in the right, represented by the Eurosceptic UKIP–People's Alliance that captured 28 seats in the 2018 Election. Following a series of internal coups and/or splits, the bulk of the Eurosceptic movement has coalesced behind Michael Gove and the Reform Party, which, also backed by Eurosceptic darling Nigel Farage, is attempting to dissociate itself from the far-right UKIP remnants. Although Gove is thought to be as uncharismatic as Smith, his parliamentary performances have earned him notoriety, and Stewart's rush for the political center may well empower Gove and Farage.

With Parliament recently dissolved, a four-week campaign will now ensue, and will culminate on polling day on Thursday, June 16.

[Lumine]

On the eighteenth year since the founding of the REPUBLIC,
under the Presidency of Utah Neolib and the Vice Presidency of Scott

REPORT / INTERNATIONAL

Recent International Elections
A brief report on important elections
on the first half of 2022

SOUTH KOREA

• Held in the backdrop of the controversial Panmunjom Framework (February 2022), laying a long-term path towards Korean Reunification, Democratic candidate Lee Jae-myung (left wing, incumbent party, pro-Panmunjom) defeated People Power nominee Yoon Suk-yeol (right wing, opposition, anti-Panmunjom) 47-44, with minor parties capturing the rest of the vote. Lee's narrow victory has been portrayed as a disappointment for the Democratic Party given the sky-high popularity of the incumbent President Moon Jae-in, and it has been read as a partial backlash to the Panmunjom Framework within younger voters. Still, Lee's victory has allowed the Framework to be now ratified by both North and South Korean legislatures.

PHILIPPINES

• The Philippines is experiencing major unrest and protests following a controversial and divisive Presidential Election, in which incumbent Vice President Leni Robredo (centrist, liberal, anti-Duterte) narrowly prevailed in a three-way split against Bongbong Marcos (conservative populist, son of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos) and Sara Duterte (conservative, daughter of incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte). Despite Marcos and Duterte leading the polls at various moments, the cannibalization of their respective voting blocs, and a strong campaign by Robredo which exploited the perception of Marcos and Duterte as "soft on China" allowed her to prevail. Thus far, neither of her rivals has acknowledged Robredo's victory, demanding recounts and/or urgent action to address what they claim are "electoral irregularities".

AUSTRALIA

• As the smoke clears in the aftermath of the 2022 Australian General Election, and after extensive recounts involving several extremely close sets, a hung parliament - seen as the only possible scenario after Election Night - has been confirmed. Despite expectations of a Labor Party majority, a major course correction in the Liberal/National coalition campaign - widely criticized on the first half of the campaign - enable Prime Minister Scott Morrison to surprise again, allowing his beleaguered colleagues to remain a strong parliamentary force despite losing 10 seats and with them their previous majority. Despite meager gains - with the balance of power held by several independents - and a sense of disappointment, Labor's Anthony Albanese has emerged as the only party capable of leading a government, a minority with cooperation with most of the new independent MP's.

HUNGARY

• The aftermath of the Paflagonian Revolution and its seemingly peaceful move into a democratic transition seemed to embolden the opposition camp in Hungary, long demoralized due to their inability to remove the highly controversial Prime Minister Viktor Orban. With parliamentary elections scheduled for April, almost the entire opposition coalesced in an unwieldy, ideologically diverse coalition which stood behind Mayor Péter Márki-Zay as their choice for PM. The campaign was hard fought and extremely bitter, with mutual recriminations which included the opposition accusing Orban of manipulating the media and using underhanded tactics, and Orban accusing his critics of being financed and supported by foreign agents. Despite polls showing Márki-Zay and his United for Hungary alliance in the lead, Orban more than outperformed expectations and, despite significant losses, retained a very narrow majority. Although optimists within United for Hungary have stated a belief that Orban is "on the way out" and weakened by the result, others have criticized their leadership and campaign for the defeat, suggesting the Prime Minister will still be able to exploit his majority to devastating effect.

[Joseph Cao]

I wouldn't normally ask something this minor/delicate but in view of current plans toward fopo action… is the Abe assassination canon in-game?

[S019]

What's the current situation in Iran? Also what happened to the UK Election that was held in June?

[Joseph Cao]

What's the current situation in Iran? Also what happened to the UK Election that was held in June?

I sort of operated on the assumption that Smith was re-elected but I'll wait for confirmation on that.

[Lumine]

What's the current situation in Iran? Also what happened to the UK Election that was held in June?

Will be dealing with the backlog today, that includes the UK story. Will get back to you on Iran, but I don't think - Soleimani being alive aside, and possibly the Irainian intervention in Syria being more successor - it would be that different.

I wouldn't normally ask something this minor/delicate but in view of current plans toward fopo action… is the Abe assassination canon in-game?

I'm tempted not to make it canon, but I've already spared the Ukraine from the war and that's quite a shift in terms of events. Not sure if I should constantly block atrocities (much as I come up with new ones, like in Paflagonia). Expect a final ruling with the update.

[Sirius_]

What's the current situation in Iran? Also what happened to the UK Election that was held in June?

Will be dealing with the backlog today, that includes the UK story. Will get back to you on Iran, but I don't think - Soleimani being alive aside, and possibly the Irainian intervention in Syria being more successor - it would be that different.

I wouldn't normally ask something this minor/delicate but in view of current plans toward fopo action… is the Abe assassination canon in-game?

I'm tempted not to make it canon, but I've already spared the Ukraine from the war and that's quite a shift in terms of events. Not sure if I should constantly block atrocities (much as I come up with new ones, like in Paflagonia). Expect a final ruling with the update.

Were there any past stories on Abe's government? If he acted differently then that could make things different now.

[Lumine]

CLARIFICATION / FOREIGN POLICY

Shinzo Abe

It is ruled that, like in our world, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated on July 8th, 2022, whilst giving a speech. The circumstances surrounding the assassination and the self-proclaimed motivation of the assassin remain as in OTL. Since Abe resigned like in our world and the succession went the same way (Suga, then Kishida), there are no other significant butterflies at this point.