Empire of AndrewBoard

The Orson Empire
Year: 2022
West Africa Cancels the JPDF, Says "Provisions are not suited to long-term national defense needs"
In a statement today, the West African Government has announced it will no longer observe the agreements to establish the JPDF with the Orson Government. They cite a major doctrinal shift in West African High Command as justification, as the impending major reforms to the West African Military will give capability to defend against spacefaring threats without need for reliance on vast networks of expensive and inflexible surface batteries. The statement however indicates that the West African Government is still open to cooperating with Orson in terms of securing, maintaining, and refining the national defense. They cite the Wagain-West African model of R&D cooperation where governments approach each other to cooperate for specific projects as a better model going forward as it allows most R&D staff to remain in their usual assignments until specifically needed for a special project which would better suit the needs of both West Africa and Orson which need significant R&D attention at the home fronts for improving outcomes in the post-war recovery period with new innovations.

(Our limited volunteer-only manpower will be stretched too thin by establishing JPDF surface batteries and manning them to be able to build the "Unified Aerospace Army" called for by our strategists in creating the new post-war military doctrines. Basically a military structured around units that have their own fighters, starships for transport, supply, and fire support, the infantry of course, the infantry's supporting eyebots, and some fully-automated tanks with their own supporting eyebots to keep them clear of enemy infantry that can be dropped into the battlefield where needed. Surface-to-orbit fire being provided by stocks of man-portable fusion pulse laser systems while the Aerospace fighters and the starships engage the enemy ships in the skies and in space. Since it involves giving squads or platoons their own starships instead of crowding them onto larger transports a larger percentage of our manpower must be crewing the bridges of the many small vessels, along with their fighter escorts needing pilots.)

Novo Wagondia wrote:

In honor of the 25th resolution passing through the General Assembly, I've also updated the voting patterns section of the UCP factbook, recalculating the numbers to reflect all the votes which have been registered since early April. There are some important, if subtle, shifts in regional affairs that the charts help visualize, such as the increased willingness of the Orsonians and the Lucijans to vote along with the majority opinion.

Interesting! Good work Novo. Our alignment scores have all shifted, even if it’s just slightly, helping show the changing post-WW3 world

2022 General Election

In response to major events over the past several months, such as the Imperial Military's rebellion, signing of the Treaty of Federation, Adrian Javand's assassination, and reorganization of major political parties, snap elections are ongoing on the local and national level. All 600 seats in the Federal Senate, alongside all territorial governorships are contested; of major focus are the dozens of vacant seats previously filled by Conservative Party senators. The post-war economic recovery, alongside social reforms (such as the permanent end of segregationist policies) were the primary issues of this election. Additionally, voters expect the newly-elected government to finish drafting a new constitution.

Those convicted of treason or conspiracy in the Retribution Act, alongside all Aturorists, conservatives, and monarchists were blacklisted from running for all seats. This proved a major factor in lowering turnout, with 60% of all eligible voters participating (compared to 80% in the 2021 elections). Nevertheless, ex-conservatives hastily organized the Centrist Party to serve as a viable political opposition to the Popular Front, embracing both center-left and center-right policies to attract voters opposed towards radical far-left reforms.

Results:

600 seats contested in the Federal Senate; 301 needed for a majority.

Communist Party - 287 seats - 48% of popular vote

Centrist Party - 171 seats - 29% of popular vote

Unified Front for Democracy - 104 seats - 17% of popular vote

Technocrats - 38 seats - 6% of popular vote

Support for the Communist Party proved immense, gathering half of the electorate as their support base. Voters were motivated to endorse the communists in reaction towards grueling workplace conditions and low pay they endured during World War Three, alongside a desire to achieve real economic reform. Others worried about a potential coup from the right-wing, or feared the influence of Cybusian Objectivism.

Tōgatu and trade unions aided heavily in getting out the vote, forming ad hoc political machines in numerous city for this purpose. Centrist candidates attempted to replicate these tactics, but with less success: nevertheless, their turnout was respectable. The Communist Party and Unified Front constitute the Popular Front governing coalition, while the Centrists and Technocrats serve as their opposition.

Jerick Pallas has resigned as acting Prime Minister. To replace him, the Popular Front has selected Pania Kuza, a 42-year old Kāpok Orsonian from Nigeria. After a long career in local politics, Kuza ascended to a senior leadership position within the Social Democrats by 2021, becoming an advocate for far-left policies. Currently, she serves as Chairman of the Politburo, and leader of the Communist Party.

Novo Wagondia wrote:

OOC: Great work, Orson! I've always enjoyed your election posts, really capturing the spirit of the Empire at any given time. For a population so long repressed under the hard dictatorship, Orsonians are remarkably politically active (60% turnout would be impressive for the US), and I could see this election cycle having an especially robust grassroots presence. I also wonder, would Pania Kuza be the first African, or for that matter the first Kāpok Orsonian, to be Prime Minister? It seems much of the outgoing political generation hailed from Australasia, traditional seat of the Orsonian Empire.

IC: Prime Minister Barrachina has made a point of calling his newly-installed Orsonian colleague, and wishing her heartfelt congratulations on the conclusions of a successful campaign. As a gesture of camaraderie and faith in the young Orsonian democracy, he has inquired about sending a delegation to attend Ms. Kuza's inauguration ceremony, headed by Foreign Minister India Gonzaba-Helou.

(OOC: Appreciate it Novo! I had been planning to make this post since Javand's assassination, but wanted to set the political background up first. The new government will also straighten out Orson's diplomatic affairs, signing a formal peace treaty to end WW3 (which you mentioned in TG's) and appointing new ambassadors. And yes the turnout is quite large, because many Orsonians are highly dedicated to maintaining the new liberal regime at all costs, not wanting to let democracy slip away again. Few people want another Turner after all.

Regarding Prime Ministers, Kuza is actually not the first. Prime Minister Vania Andrianaivo served in the 1990's, and was from Madagascar.)

IC: Prime Minister Kuza has thanked Barrachina. She has also accepted the Wagain delegation's attendance to her inaugurarion, which is scheduled to be held at the Imperial Palace in Fort Victorium. While reconstruction is ongoing in Ravenwood, Fort Victorium is serving as the temporary capital.

The Orson Empire
Oceara

With the ascension of Pania Kuza as Prime Minister of Orson, leftist leaders in Wagondia have proposed a major conference in West Africa with their Malian and Orsonian colleagues, in which they aim to create the Bamako Collective, a transnational alliance of socialist and communist parties. The Collective will adopt an explicitly anti-colonial and Third-Worldist perspective on socialism, eschewing what they see as the imported European doctrine of Marxism-Lenininism. Borrowing from a new ideological corpus, including the likes of Víctor Raúl Haya de la Torre, Salvador Allende, Léopold Senghor, and Kwame Nkrumah, the Bamako Collective will aim to create a powerful solidarity network across the Global South, in order to more effectively oppose what they see as neoliberal colonialism in the form of Anglo-European dominated capitalism.

Its proponents argue that the old geopolitical divisions of the Second Cold War and later WW3, in which the Orsonian people were heavily isolated, function only to dilute the political power of the Global South, and should be replaced with a more egalitarian and emancipatory community of nations. Many of the collective's Wagain architects also envision transnational socialism as softening what they see as the more pernicious influence of highly militant and nationalistic groups like the Tōgatu, who needlessly fracture the global movement against capitalism.

Already, most all of the members of the Aprista Alliance of Wagondia and Afro-Caribbean Alliance, two of Waogndia's dominant socialist parties, have committed to joining the collective, and they hope to be joined by likeminded parties across the hemisphere.

Novo Wagondia wrote:

The Orson Empire
Oceara

With the ascension of Pania Kuza as Prime Minister of Orson, leftist leaders in Wagondia have proposed a major conference in West Africa with their Malian and Orsonian colleagues, in which they aim to create the Bamako Collective, a transnational alliance of socialist and communist parties. The Collective will adopt an explicitly anti-colonial and Third-Worldist perspective on socialism, eschewing what they see as the imported European doctrine of Marxism-Lenininism. Borrowing from a new ideological corpus, including the likes of Víctor Raúl Haya de la Torre, Salvador Allende, Léopold Senghor, and Kwame Nkrumah, the Bamako Collective will aim to create a powerful solidarity network across the Global South, in order to more effectively oppose what they see as neoliberal colonialism in the form of Anglo-European dominated capitalism.

Its proponents argue that the old geopolitical divisions of the Second Cold War and later WW3, in which the Orsonian people were heavily isolated, function only to dilute the political power of the Global South, and should be replaced with a more egalitarian and emancipatory community of nations. Many of the collective's Wagain architects also envision transnational socialism as softening what they see as the more pernicious influence of highly militant and nationalistic groups like the Tōgatu, who needlessly fracture the global movement against capitalism.

Already, most all of the members of the Aprista Alliance of Wagondia and Afro-Caribbean Alliance, two of Waogndia's dominant socialist parties, have committed to joining the collective, and they hope to be joined by likeminded parties across the hemisphere.

This would alarm some of us who would see it as a Comintern 2.0, and we’d be especially alarmed by their opposition to the “old geopolitical order”

Deputy Ambassador Sathya Doraiswamy to the Orsonian Federalist movement and caretaker government has extended their congratulations to the newly formed federalist government on behalf of the Confederwtion and wishes for good tidings and relations between all peoples and governments.

What’s do you all think of a potential regional parliament that could complement the UCP council? It could have political parties, elections, and all that good stuff.

Timmy City wrote:

What’s do you all think of a potential regional parliament that could complement the UCP council? It could have political parties, elections, and all that good stuff.

We’d be rather displeased with this idea, viewing it as an attack on national sovereignty. It’s one thing for the UCP to have voluntary regulations, it’s another thing entirely for us to be subject to international parliamentary authority. I don’t think any nation would want to see their country subjected to the mercy of foreign political parties: especially in the increasingly polarized world of left va right.

Prime Minister Kuza has thanked all national leaders and ambassadors who have congratulated her victory in the elections, expressing her dedication to forging a bright future for Orson and working to repair the damage caused by WW3.

Novo Wagondia wrote:

Fascinating! I do recall mentions of Prime Minister Andrianaivo in the past. The fact that Kuza is from Tiarad (the western, and historically more autonomous half of Orsonian Africa) would still be significant, as Madagascar (being part of Icrad) is fairly conservative and maintains close cultural ties with Adsahul.

Agreed, it is quite significant, seeing as the center of political power and influence has remained in Adsahul for many centuries.

Novo Wagondia wrote:

The Orson Empire
Oceara

With the ascension of Pania Kuza as Prime Minister of Orson, leftist leaders in Wagondia have proposed a major conference in West Africa with their Malian and Orsonian colleagues, in which they aim to create the Bamako Collective, a transnational alliance of socialist and communist parties. The Collective will adopt an explicitly anti-colonial and Third-Worldist perspective on socialism, eschewing what they see as the imported European doctrine of Marxism-Lenininism...

Communist Party members have expressed eagerness to join the Bamako Collective, viewing it as a revival of the old Socialist International, and agreeing with the need to oppose neoliberalism, Western colonialism, and Objectivism throughout the Global South. The Politburo has voted in favor of sending delegates to Bamako for a conference.

Timmy City wrote:

What’s do you all think of a potential regional parliament that could complement the UCP council? It could have political parties, elections, and all that good stuff.

The Orsonians would oppose such a parliament, viewing it as a dangerous escalation of the UCP's authority in national affairs.

Sentinel Class Omnidirectional Point-Defense Hardlight Beam Projection Dome:
The Sentinel Class Omnidirectional Point-Defense Hardlight Beam Projection Dome is the primary point defense system used by the Imperial Navy. A moderately sized dome concealed within the vessel’s hull until needed, the Sentinel can project up to 225 Hardlight beams of varying strength in any direction within it’s 180 degree firing arc, firing up or down within that arc. While not truly omnidirectional, it is still capable of engaging anything it can see.
The Sentinel consists of 45 hexagonal panels arranged in a dome shape, each panel capable of projecting up to 5 Hardlight beams simultaneously. These panels offer 180 degree coverage, as the corners and panel intersection points can also project beams.
The beams projected from the Sentinel vary in power, from comparatively low power beams meant to intercept missiles to higher power beams capable of engaging enemy small craft. More than point defense, the Sentinel Calais perform “point offense”; engaging enemy outboard systems such as hangers, sensors, point defenses, and other such things if the vessels are close enough and the enemy shields are down. This is rarely done, but it is possible. They can also be used for ground attack purposes, focusing the beams into high powered and precise beams that are fewer in number but capable of engaging ground targets.
Almost every vessel in Imperial Navy service is equipped with dozens of Sentinels set up to provide overlapping coverage for the entire vessel, providing a formidable array of point defenses. In addition to the conventional beam projection, each panel on a Sentinel unit can also temporarily give up its beam emitting capabilities to project a powerful but small hexagonal Hardlight shield at any point in range. This is used to intercept or help mitigate the impact of powerful energy weapons targeting the vessel.
Each Sentinel unit has its own small reactor and is coordinated by its own AI, networking with other Sentinels and the shipboard AI to coordinate fire or shield projections.

Novo Wagondia wrote:

The Wagain representatives have welcomed their Malian and Orsonian comrades into the Collective, and look forward to working intimately with them in the years to come to draft a roadmap for socialism in the twenty-first century.

On an OOC note, what is the ideological difference between the Malian parties which have formed in the wake of the PPD's collapse? What is the strength of the government, and what is the strength of the opposition since the election?

Socialist Party = Pretty much exactly Miriam Camara's policies
Segou Soviet Party = Goal is full pure democracy in post scarcity economics
Global March for Democracy = Similar to Socialist Party, but first and foremost concerned with defending democracy worldwide.
Prosperity Party = Conservatives trying to keep what influence they can in the country and support capitalism but being careful to avoid drawing too much negative attention by the left.
Party for the National Defense = Cold War era militarists seeking to expand the military according to old-school doctrines of mass mobilization, mass stockpiling of munitions and weapons systems, and in using overwhelming firepower to obliterate foes regardless of collateral damage. However the Old guard may lose out in favor of militarists favoring newer doctrines of elite shock infantry with their own starships and dedicated autonomous armor and dedicated fighter escorts to complete missions quickly and efficiently with minimal collateral damage. But regardless, still militarists.

That's the main differences for the main important parties.

Government is lead by a coalition of the Global March for Democracy, Socialist Party, and Segou Soviet Party with an opposition of the Prosperity Party and the Party for the National Defense. The two least popular of the bigger parties are the opposition, so the government is very strong at this time.

Cybus1 wrote:

Sentinel Class Omnidirectional Point-Defense Hardlight Beam Projection Dome:
The Sentinel Class Omnidirectional Point-Defense Hardlight Beam Projection Dome is the primary point defense system used by the Imperial Navy. A moderately sized dome concealed within the vessel’s hull until needed, the Sentinel can project up to 225 Hardlight beams of varying strength in any direction within it’s 180 degree firing arc, firing up or down within that arc...

Excellent work Cybus!

The other posts you recently made were great as well. Castaigne's banking Empire could become a prominent target for Tōgatu, and the Office of Control might clandestinely support them (since they know the truth about Castaigne).