Concordat challenged in Bulgaria, Romania
Sofia, European Concordat
The push to bring the rest of the Europe to be within the Concordat at last suffered its first significant hiccups this winter. European troops first embarked on the conquest of Bulgaria Though the Bulgarian capital was close to the border, the Bulgarians would mass their troops on the border in an effort to hold the Concordat forces. In the end, it would not be mobility, but rather numbers that would break through the Bulgarian lines and eventually capture Sofia. However, Romania would provide much more of a challenge, giving Eurosquadron its first real challenge since the Belarusian War. Though the Romanians were unable to shoot many jets down, many missions had to be cut short. Romanian equipment and training proved to be a match for the Europeans, and their defensive lines were able to hold of Concordat armor for some time, but when the ERRF at last achieved a breakthrough, the fortunes of the Romanians at last crumbled, though pockets of resistance continued throughout the winter. At this point, Moldova and Greece have actively mobilized their troops for an all out defense, and a Greek general has in fact seized control of the presidency by declaring a state of emergency. The Ukrainian, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, and British governments have similarly increased their preparations, but are more confident that they will be able to resist a Concordat attack, if one is to come at all. Meanwhile on the home front, new elections have been called for Winter of 2037, and many are anticipating the Democratic Movement will even further suffocate their political competition.
(EC: ERRF: -1 mech, -1 armor; EJDF: -3 infantry; +3 stability)
Djibouti conquered
Djibouti, Nyanza
With the retooling of their air force, Nyanza embarked to add one of the few remaining independent countries in the region to their empire. Djibouti barely had time to mobilize their army before they were surrendering, and Nyanza quickly secured the nation, fearful of potential Somali retaliation. At this point, only Somalia remains independent in East Africa, and with rumors of a Somali patriot behind the assassination of the Nyanzan president, it seems that Nyanza has its perfect excuse for its next conquest.
(Nyanza: +1 stability)
Progressives dominate US elections!
New York, United States of America
There was a palpable excitement among the American people as they cast their first votes in twenty years on the heels of their newfound democracy. With a new popular vote system, the people now directly elect the American president and government and for their first post-dictatorship government, they chose the Progressive Party to be their standard bearers. Energized by the goodwill given to the movement by their role in the rebellion that would bring down the American dictatorship, the Progressives captured 56% of the vote, building support for a leftist, democratic nation. The Christian Socialist Union ended up capturing 30% of the vote, and party leaders spoke of openly cooperating with the Progressives in order to create a country where the gifts of God could be given to all. The American Worker’s Party ended up capturing only 1% of the vote, as a new, broad coalition called the Centrist party ended up capturing 13% of the vote, a surprising turn out for what people mostly considered a long shot. At the inauguration, a speech watched by nearly every American, the president called for the end of the hatred and discord between Americans, and called for them to work for a more equal, and therefore more prosperous, America. The President also spoke about the need for a safe, peaceful world, and proposed the idea of reparation of American citizens from the occupied zone into America proper. However, behind these peaceful words, the United States Air Force is being built up once more to challenge the Mexicans, and many observers note that despite the peaceful rhetoric of the American president, they are now well-poised to strike back against the Mexican occupiers.
(US: +1 stability)
Argentine troops mop up Chile
Santiago, Empire of Argentina
Despite some initial hiccups in their second invasion, Argentina at last was able to show why their Tigers are considered the best troops in the world. With a junior level Argentine officer noticing the opportunity to outflank the Chilean troops through a narrow passage, some of its infantry were sent through and able to open a key Chilean mountain pass to Argentine armor. Santiago was soon assaulted, and when it fell, the Chilean resistance collapsed. Argentine troops were able to sweep over the rest of the country in one last push, and the scattered remains of the Chilean government officially surrendered. Emperor Ignacio at last has his vindication, and some media outlets have now been less sarcastic when calling him “The Napoleon of Argentina”. With all of South America under his boot heel, there are some disturbing rumors coming out of Buenos Aires and the research into nuclear technology, setting off some fears that the Emperor may be looking to make a bang on the world stage.
(Argentina: Tigers: -2 infantry; +3 stability)
Ivory Coast first conquest of new President Martin
Yamoussoukro, Federal Democratic Republic of West Africa
With growing dissent against sitting President Bahari, both in the occupied regions and in West Africa proper, President Bahari’s political opponents have been able to force the President to call snap elections, where he lost to Modupe Martin, who portrayed herself as a coalition builder. Her Unity Party succeeded in gaining the support of many Nigerians, but many are wondering if it was all for political talk as soon after she took office, President Martin ordered a full scale invasion of the Ivory Coast, conquering the country after some difficulty. Still, President Martin still holds the support of many in West Africa, but as was seen with President Bahari, public support can be lost as quickly as it is won.
(FDRWA: GGLA 1st Division: -1 infantry; GGLA 2nd Division: -1 infantry, -1 marine; +2 stability)
Brazil finishes conquest of Peru
Lima, Empire of Brazil
Desperate to finish the war before the winter conditions would kick in for the Andes, Brazilian generals launched desperate assaults. Using artillery and airpower, this season the Brazilians were much more successful in destroying certain chokepoints, and when that failed, the generals were more than willing to send in the infantry. Once Lima fell, the rest of the Peruvian force surrendered in short order. Now, though the Brazilians were successful, it remains to be seen what Argentina will do, now that it has run out of neutral countries to conquer. Many in Brazil fear that with the expansionist nature of the Argentine regime, the current situation will not last for long.
(Brazil: Ejercito de Sao Paulo: -3 infantry; Exercito de Norte Brazil:-1 infantry; Ejericto de Imperio: -1 infantry; +2 stability)
Republic of Congo defeated
Brazzaville, African Federation
The African Federation continued on its trend as the strongest power on the African continent, this time setting its sights upon one of the stronger minor nations on the continent. While not as powerful as its neighbor, the Republic of Congo boasted a modern military force, allowing it to resist the initial assault by the African 1st Army and its carrier support. The 1st Army was outnumbered, and though its training allowed it to fend off the Congolese, it would not be until the arrival of the 2nd Army from Zimbabwe that the 1st Army was able to finish the conquest of the region. Despite the victories on the battlefield though, dissent continues to rise in the occupied territories, and security advisors are demanding a stronger presence in Angola and in Gabon.
(AF: 1st Army: -1 infantry, -1 marine, -1 armor; 2nd Army: -1 infantry; 118th Tactical Wing: -1 Strike Fighter)
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