2025-26

After a disastrous summer sparked by what is now being called the ‘Diyarbakir Mutiny’, Prime Minister Davutoğlu’s control of Turkey has largely collapsed with the open revolt of many of its western cities.   Davutoğlu’s  Justice and Development Party (AKP) administrators and elected officials have largely fled to the countryside which has traditionally been the source of their popular support for their ummah based policies.  However, with the mass desertion to outright mutiny of the ‘jash’ Kurds in the military and the replacement of old guard kemalist military leaders with loyal but largely militarily incompetent party hacks has made it all but impossible for the AKP to suppress open civil revolt in the western cities or defeat the Kurdish separatist rebellion in the eastern countryside of the Turkey.

In Istanbul, leaders aligned with the political party Movement for Change in Turkey (TDH) have gained the support of several formerly prominent military families (due in large part to the release of ‘political prisoners’ from Silivri prison which housed a number of generals accused of planning secularist military coups such as the infamous Sledgehammer Trials) and in cooperation with the Republican People’s Party (CHP) they have at least gained nominal control of Ankara and somewhat wider support in the western Turkish cities.  The AKP has denounced the TDH as a front to return to a kemalist military dictatorship.

The TDH is negotiating with the Kurdish separatists for a cease fire and but reports vary wildly that the TDH is offering allocated seats in Parliament, some sort of autonomous region, to full separation and independence.  The TDH has also requested assistance from its NATO allies to help deal with the refugee humanitarian crisis developing on Turkey’s border with Syria.  Thus far, due to the full redeployment of the Sixth Fleet to the eastern Mediterranean, the United States has already provided some logistical aid and has deployed personnel to assist with the huge influx of Syrian refugees.  The United States has also sent aid and military advisors to Jordan in the wake of the Syrian refugee crisis.  The Assad regime has denounced the US troop buildup as a front to create alternative US-NATO arms corridor to Syrian rebels in the wake of Turkey’s destabilization.

The situation in Syria is deteriorating as fighting has intensified, but the Assad\Alawite bloc still the dominant faction due in part with armaments and supplies shipped in via the lifeline of Tartus.  Tartus and the joint Syrian\Russian port facilities have been significantly expanded since the main Syrian port of Latakia has been the site of significant fighting between a Sunni muslim majority and a Alawite minority.  Tartus is booming as a result and the local populace and militias are very protective of the source of their economic livelihood.

Additionally, a joint elaborate war game involving 8,000 U.S. soldiers and 15,000 Jordanian troops has increased tensions to a fever pitch between the two countries.  A Pentagon spokesman downplayed the Assad characterization of the 12-day exercise involving combined air, land, and sea maneuvers across Jordan as a “dress rehearsal for invasion and neocolonialism” and restated that the purpose of the war game was to train the involved forces on border security, irregular warfare, terrorism, and counterinsurgency.  The U.S. President notified Congress that 6,000 U.S. military personnel are staying behind in Jordan after the training exercise.  The Assad regime has denounced the US troop buildup as a front to create alternative US-NATO arms corridor to Syrian rebels in the wake of Turkey’s destabilization as well as to establish a staging ground to attack.

Iranian supported Hezbollah has largely defeated and driven out Hamas out of Lebanon due to the Gaza based movement’s role in Syria against the regime of President Assad.  Hamas leadership and a substantial number of their rank and file have reportedly found safe haven in Egypt, protected by their close ties with the Muslim Brotherhood.  The Egyptian Army imposed ‘interim government’ has not acted against Hamas, unwilling to risk angering either the Muslim Brotherhood nor disrupting their financial lifelines to Qatar or Saudi Arabia by cracking down on the Sunni movement.   Hamas and Hezbollah used to be part of the self-proclaimed Iranian and Syrian-led “axis of resistance” against Israel.

Egypt’s position has become increasingly precarious in that tourism, its former primary source of outside foreign capital, has nearly dried up.  The loss nearly 12% of the country’s GDP has created an enormous challenge for a country that must import roughly half of the population’s daily caloric intake and supplies over 60% of its population with bread subsidies.  The situation is exacerbated by diesel shortages (making wheat transportation more difficult, as trucks are required to bring the crop to urban mills), insufficient fertilizer, and water issues (primarily with Ethiopia) that have long plagued Egyptian agriculture.

In the face of the finance and food crisis, India has given Egypt a $6 billion dollar loan with a 5 year interest free grace period as well as signed an agreement that would provide several billions worth of food aid during the same period.  An Indian finance ministry official stated the loan was intended “to support the Egyptian economy and the state budget and foreign currency reserves.”  While influx has helped to partially alleviate Egypt’s food crisis and keep the Egyptian economy staggering along, Muslim Brotherhood leadership denounced the Indian move as “hypocritical and further proof of their war against Muslims” with their “endorsement of the military takeover of Egypt”.

Iraqi sectarian violence has risen sharply in the past year.  Initially starting in mostly Sunni areas against a Shiite-dominated government, besides a few instances of government forces opening fire on protestors, multiple terroristic attacks by both factions have escalated the violence to almost open conflict.  Sunni protestors and tribesmen across the country are forming militias in response to what they see as sanctioned attacks on the Sunni populace.  Iraq has not seen this level of killing since the worst of the sectarian war back in 2006 and 2007.  Iraqi officials say most of the attacks are being led by Sunni insurgents like al-Qaida in Iraq and also accused Iran of instigating violence and attempting to destabilize the country.

The Kurdistan Regional Government is tied up in a complicated state of affairs as it is still officially part of Iraq despite being the administrative and logistical center of “Greater Kurdistan”.  The autonomous KRG has been supporting the Shiite led government in a quid pro quo arrangement for turning a blind eye thus far on KRG de facto control of the disputed province of Ninevah.  A strengthened Sunni Arab community could pose greater challenges to the KRG’s nationalist agenda, particularly in delineating internal boundaries with Iraq (Article 140).  The KRG is still holding to the profit sharing agreement for the now fully Kurdish controlled oil fields.

Within Iran, peshmerga forces openly controlling Kurdish urban areas have been driven underground with the forceful intervention of the People’s Liberation Army.  Kurdish sources have put up video of alleged PLA massacres and indiscriminate use of air power against civilian centers including mosques.  In response PLA spokesman, Fang Yansheng, held an unprecedented news conference on an internal Chinese investigation which determined that the videos were staged, misrepresented, or digitally doctored outright.  Yansheng’s three hour conference excoriated the international media for “jumping to conclusions based on blatant propaganda” after showing video of secondary explosions in the aftermath of airstrikes on mosques “proving they were legitimate military targets” and providing evidence that the videos of PLA troops opening fire on unarmed Kurdish protestors was faked using footage transposed from other sources and digitally edited and animated together in a new environment.  Outside experts agree with the Chinese findings, debunking some of the videos as “disturbingly high tech and sophisticated productions”.

The Iranian Kurdish revolution has shifted to primarily guerrilla and mid-level intensity insurgency tactics in the wake of the intervention of the Chinese.  Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) is still recovering from the summer’s fighting so the PLA has taken up some of the slack.  Casualties after the initial heavier summer fighting have not been significant but it appears Kurdish insurgents are growing in expertise using IED tactics pioneered by Iranian supported Iraqi insurgents during the United States occupation of Iraq.  Additionally, a handful of Iranian Persian mullahs have spoken out against the Chinese, denouncing the Guardian Council and forming mass protests after Friday prayers.  The protests subsided somewhat after Ayatollah Abbas al-Razi, the most prominent of the council critics, was arrested on corruption charges stemming from diversion of funds from several Iranian charitable trusts (known as Bonyads).

On the Arabian Peninsula, high food prices combined with other inflationary pressures have put the squeeze on the lower and under classes in those countries, particularly ‘guest workers’, which have led to increased tensions between the upper and lower classes within these countries.  Bahrain, with its large Shiite majority, has steadily gained ground against smaller wealthier Sunni upper class despite extensive support provided by Saudi Arabia.  Civil order in Yemen has fully collapsed but for the most part the remainder of Arabian Peninsula seems to be weathering the economic driven difficulties but with a notable uptick in violent protests in most nations.

Guest workers in these countries typically keep a low profile during periods of uncertain political stability.  However, Amnesty International has issued a report outlining growing systematic abuse of these foreign guest workers (typically hailing from the Philippines, India, Indonesia, former Pakistan, and other countries within Asia and Africa).  The report details increased incidences of torture, forcible confinement, failing to pay workers, human trafficking, religious persecution, legal system abuses, and deportation.  Amnesty International spokesmen, Paul Ikeda, stated “what makes this growing trend even more egregious is these workers have trouble getting exit visas from their own consulates to return to their home countries.”  While most states cited in the report dismissed the findings as grossly overblown or as blatant propaganda, Oman rebuked Amnesty International from the floor of the United Nations General Assembly calling the report “unfair, full of lies, and obviously untrue.”

In total these various factors have led to the world’s largest refugee crisis and are leading to other residual effects.  Refugees are entering mainland Europe by boat or illegally entering European Union member states via Turkey into Bulgaria.  The refugees are joining already sizeable communities of compatriots waiting for them in mainly western European states.  As a result of this increased pressure, violence between rival Turkish and Kurdish drug networks have grown into open conflicts that are beginning to envelop entire Turk and Kurd communities.  Riots in North London and Amsterdam as well as related spike in crime have focused domestic European attention on ‘immigrant troubles’.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:41, Fri 19 July 2013.

Iran on Turkey collapse:
“Iran support Prime Minister Davutoglu and the AKP which is the rightful government of Turkey. We invite the Turkish military to deepen the cooperation against our common enemy; the Kurd. In order to alleviate the pressure on the Turkish army Iran will intensify anti-Kurd stability operations along the Turkish-Iranian border and offer to join the ongoing Turkish operations into Kurd areas in Iraq.”

Iran on Egypt:
“Iran feels with the starving people of Egypt. We are willing to donate sufficient diesel fuel to get the agriculture sector working again, if the Egyptian military can guarantee our safety from the Hamas terrorists now active in the country.”

In reply to Referee (msg # 1):

China will continue with its current troop deployments to the region (Those that have arrived and those still mobilizing to get there). China will continue on with its policy to assist Iran against the Kurds.

Japan observes, but does not interfere.

In reply to Japan (msg # 4):

Brazil is very interested in this evolving crisis, as is the whole of the human race.  Brazil also acknowledges the complexities of the situation.  We are dealing with ancient cultures and divisions in a minimally-stable part of the globe.  Our military does not have the power projection capabilities of other nations, and so we have chosen to remain neutral in this conflict (neutral countries are often useful during a crisis, no?).  We, like Japan (above), remain very interested, however.

With the aforementioned points in mind, what is the status of the Security Council debates concerning the No-Fly-Zone?  This is a very important issue, and small mistakes and misunderstanding can blossom into... something worse.  Let us be careful, and let us agree to some course of action under the purview of the UN.

In reply to Brazil (msg # 5):

Japans understanding is that the discussions in the UNSC were fruitless, and are at a standstill with positions locked. Another forum is needed, such as the General Assembly, if something productive is to come of a discussion.

Japan would support any such initiative but is not ready at this point to lead the way.

In reply to Japan (msg # 6):

ENTIRE POST IS OUT OF CHARACTER


Just for reference guys;

http://tgw.awbep.com/xmb/viewthread.php?tid=90

The above is a link to the old discussion on this topic on the other forum. Talk of a UNSC resolution pretty much died in the emails going around, as no one was overly interested in pushing this route for several reasons, and if my recolection is correct the phrase 'stonewalling' pretty much sums up China's responce to proposals and questions on this.

The last incarnation of the resolution is, quite honestly, so out of date now it does not respond properly to the current situation in the region.

I'd normally be more than happy to try and hammer something out UN style, but given the time it has taken to reach the point we are at the general feeling from the UK will be 'fool me once...' on this one, given the time wasted last time on trying to reach some kind of consensus.

The institutions of the UN in game have been severely weakened and despite my best efforts not much has come out of any attempt at reviving the idea of international co-operation through its auspices. It did just end up as lots of talk and no action (though I'm sure there are people in game who might say this was in line with the UN at the moment!)

------
UNSC Resolution

The Security council;

Mindful of the urgent need to take action to re-establish stability in the Kurdish regions of the Middle east
Concerned by the threat to Civilian life and infrastructure in the unfolding conflict
Deeply Worried by the threat of the conflict expanding in the region
Recalling its duty to maintain or restore international peace and security under article 39 of the Charter


1. Calls upon all involved parties to put a ceasefire into immediate effect
2. Will establish demarcation lines along the Kurdish borders of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Republic of Turkey (ooc: sorted out by our staff - dickering on this just got silly and would be much easer to deal with if delegated to the GM)
3. Calls Upon all member nations to provide assistance in enforcing Demilitarised Zones and No Fly Zones along these demarcation lines
4. Requests that member states commit Military forces, as they are able, to assist in enforcing this resolution
5. Resolves
   a. that all forces operating under this UN Mandate be placed into a UN Unified Command Structure (The United Nations Combined Command in the Kurdish Theatre)
   b. that the Russian Federation designates the overall commander for the UN Combined Command in the Kurdish Theatre (herein referred to as UNCCKT)and established a joint command for the peace keeping force
  c. that forces under UNCCKT be authorised to display the flag of the United Nations alongside their own national markings
  d. that all member states cease providing any military and financial aid to the combatants.
6. Calls upon all sides to seek a political settlement of the conflict, either thorough mediators or their own diplomatic channels.
7. Requests that the Russian Federation provide the Security Council with monthly reports on the operational status of UNCCKT
----

Resoultion was submitted by the UK and Co-sponsored by France (unless the french player turns up and dosnt want to, this was done before france had a player)
-----------------

I would support the idea of a seperate un thread in genral, but using it for this instance would drag this out even further. Its been nearly a year now in RL and everyone rehashing old arguments in the UN is going to get us nowhere, the UNSC resolution died and I understand would hit a veto no matter which direction it went in, and since the General Assembly has no power to make binding resolutions all that could happen is we can all agree what the majority of the international community would do, and then have no one do it. If players want to have a more powerful UN in game it needs to be supported by players and the UNSC undoubtedly needs reforming to remove the ability of one nation to Veto.

In reply to UK (msg # 7):

I'm all for just abstracting the UN blithering at this point and moving the turn along.

After this turn is finished we'll have new things for intensive, extensive RPing again but this turn has had its opportunity for that and anyone who missed out at this point has only themselves to blame.

We need to move ahead with processing the turn. With, of course, opportunity for player reaction (including some IC RPing, but not of the "drag the turn out longer" form).

In reply to USA (msg # 8):

Agreed, it is time the turn moves ahead.

OOC: while I also want the turn to move ahead (I've been the one asking for status reports while it was stopped), I believe we should explore any possibility for a diplomatic resolution of this crisis. After all, if it can be acheved, I guess the turn will go on quicker that if a war breacks on.

EDIT: My suggestion: allow this way to be explored until friday (real time). After that (if Chris can, of course), move on the turn while the talks are being held (after all, in RL most UN talks are runing on while the criris keep going).END EDIT



Germany also co-sponsors this resolution if it can (once again, my guess is Germany is not in the UNSC at the time).
This message was last edited by the player at 12:30, Mon 19 Aug 2013.

In reply to Germany (msg # 10):

Japan disagrees. In the light of the current crisis the UNSC powers would definitely not be open to a reform of veto-rights. I say we bide our time and open discussions when cooler heads can think without the risk of world war looming over them.

So Japan retracts its offer to support this initiative at this time (this turn).

OOC: Chris please handle it abstractly and get on with this turn without waiting for friday. (Sorry Lluis)

I'm not waiting on this but on a reply\decision that will entirely shape the rest of the core of events.  On a related note, NATO players please post your decision in this this thread on where you plan to cover under a NFZ and related policy.

Any debate on the UN or other international institutions should be moved over to the 'International Forum' thread and debate can continue throughout as desired (understanding that even if something is agreed to there to restructure the UN it will most likely take more than one year to hash out anyway) to keep this thread uncluttered of anything but official policy, stances, and other decisions.

The following is a statement on behalf of NATO member states, The Russian Federation and The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;

We have observed with growing distress the escalating incidents of violence in the Middle East.

The instances of violence in the Kurdistan region, which we have observed growing day by day, disturb us even more.

The use of air power against Civilian targets in this region has disturbed us greatly, and the involvement of a Permanent member of the Security Council in supporting the suppression of a minority in a nation where the regime has only recently employed methods barely short of Genocide to suppress them is disgusting, and represents a clear breach of trust placed in the PRC by the world at large.

To this end, we can no longer stand by whilst this situation continues.

Effective immediate NATO, Russia and Saudi Arabia are establishing a No Fly Zone over the Kurdistan region. We invite all nations of the world to commit to resolving this conflict as pacifically as possible, and call upon all sides to withdraw to their own side of the NFZ and call a cease fire, so that this conflict can be solved through mediation rather than through the brutal suppression of a people, which is the only outcome we can see of the current course of action being taken by Iran and the PRC.

The NATO-Russian-Saudi Coalition (along with any other nations who are willing to assist in this endeavour) will engage any and all non-coalition air forces in breach of the No Fly Zone over Kurdistan.

Current Deployments call for NATO and Saudi Forces to provide cover over the Western area of Kurdistan and Russia to provide cover over the North East
----

In addition NATO is establishing a No Fly Zone over Turkey whilst it assists the Turkish people in mediating and pacifically resolving their internal difficulties.

As stated elsewhere (but for completions sake) Russia has also established a No Fly Zone over Syria.

In reply to UK (msg # 13):

Iran is conducting police operations against Kurd terrorists, just like you "Coalition countries" have done for many years all over the world. The difference is Iran is doing it inside our national borders. This is an internal matter, stay out. Your aggresion is illegal and has no backing by UN or international law. Your imperialistic attitudes will not get you Iranian oil. All attempts by foreign military (except Chinese forces ofcourse) to enter Iranian air, sea or land territory will be met by force. Iran call out to all true believers to join us in opposition to NATO Imperialism.

The Russian/NATO lead coalition to enforce a NFZ is not an act against Islam, as their only goal is to protect civilian people (most of them Muslitms too) from the masacres Iranian and (to a lesser extent, as they seem to be more careful about that)  Chinese air power are conducting against them, co also complying with the Quram tennets about protecting the weak:



Neither can they be accused of imperialism when they have stated their willingness to accept Kurdish independence, not wanting it for themselves.

So, the asking to all true believers to fight against it is also void, as this NFZ is not against Islam, but against opressors.

The responsibility to protect is increasingly a recognised convention in international law, and we feel a sensible and required one.

Despite the fact that we have been unable to achieve consensus on this through the UN Security Council, it would be abhorrent to believe this absolves the international community at large from the responsibility to protect a people from mass atrocities committed by their rulers.

The NFZ is to protect civilians whilst we attempt to reach a pacific settlement. No ground forces are being deployed in the Kurdistan region, no aggression is taking place against Iran, we are merely preventing the Iranian and Kurdish sides of this conflict from perpetrating further aggressive and illegal actions through the use of air power, such as we have previously witnessed.

We call upon Iran to step back from this dangerous path, and to work with the international community to resolve this situation without resorting to the brutal methods of suppression we have seen only recently.

We futher call upon all nations of the world to step forward and recognise their duty to protect those who's governments have failed to protect them against either genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, or ethnic cleansing.

Germany states full support to the whole statement

In reply to Germany (msg # 17):

The USG confirms and fully supports the statement made on behalf of our allies and ourselves by Britain, and pledges our commitment to uphold it alongside them.

An attack on the forces of one of the members upholding this no fly zone will be treated as an attack upon us all.

Just before the NATO NoFlyZone over hex H20 is about to be imposed the Supreme Iranian leader broadcasts on all channels the following message:

"This so called 'No Fly Zone for the protection of civilians' is obviously nothing but a blatant conquest by Western imperialist forces to bring the flames of unholy Zionism to our lands. They come here not to help us or save us but corrupt us and I call upon all Iranians to resist in the name of Almighty Allah to your uttermost. Poison the wells! Burn the land! Release infected rats into their camp! Put to the sword all those who would cooperate with the enemies of Allah and Iran. They may kill us, but they will never be allowed to break us. Show these would be conquerors that all their efforts will yield ashes not apostates. I call upon our brothers, the Chinese, to aid us in this fight for survival. For years now it has been whispered that you are a Great Power. Well now the eyes of history are upon you. Will you stand now and be counted as a Great Power?!

Fight now! Allah will favor the righteous!"

As soon as the first NATO plane crosses the Iranian border to enforce the NoFlyZone all hell breaks loose. The Iranian airforce is returning to the air. All non-Iranian aircraft (except Chinese) over Iran is fired upon, including Russian. Iranian ground forces exchange fire with Kurd forces in Iranian Kurdistan. The shooting has begun, what do you (your country) do?
This message was last edited by the player at 20:17, Sat 24 May 2014.

In reply to Combat Cycle Ref (msg # 19):

Tentative force deployments at the outset
If you have a problem with this then now is the time to let me know!!

USA
to Kuwait/Persian Gulf/(Saudi ports/airfields if absolutely necessary)/Iraq (if they will come to their senses and realize they were in error):

1 Aircraft Carrier
3 Naval Veteran Multirole Plane Squadrons
2 Veteran Attack Submarine Squadrons
1 Veteran Frigate Squadron
4 Veteran Destroyer Squadrons
2 Veteran Cruiser Squadrons
1 Veteran Helicopter Carrier
1 Multirole Helicopter Squadron
2 Marine Elite Mechanized Brigades
2 Marine Elite Multirole Plane squadrons
2 Marine Elite Multirole Helicopter Squadrons
2 Marine Support Helicopter Squadrons
2 Veteran Motorized Brigades
1 Elite Mechanized Brigade
1 Elite Armored Brigade
1 Elite Multirole Helicopter Squadron
2 Experienced Support Helicopter Squadrons
6 Elite Multirole Plane Squadrons (Stealth ability)
2 Elite Bomber Plane Squadrons (Steath ability, Diego Garcia)

Moved to Cyprus/Turkey (with Turkish approval)/Italy/Eastern Med
1 Aircraft Carrier
3 Naval Veteran Multirole Plane Squadrons
2 Veteran Attack Submarine Squadrons
1 Veteran Frigate Squadro
4 Veteran Destroyer Squadrons
2 Veteran Cruiser Squadrons
1 Veteran Helicopter Carrier
1 Multirole Helicopter Squadron
2 Marine Elite Mechanized Brigades
2 Marine Elite Multirole Plane Squadrons
2 Marine Elite Multirole Helicopter Squadrons
2 Marine Support Helicopter Squadrons
2 Elite Motorized Brigades
1 Elite Mechanized Brigade
1 Elite Armored Brigade
2 Elite Multirole Helicopter Squadrons
2 Experienced Support Helicopter Squadrons
6 Elite Multirole Plane Squadrons (Stealth ability)
2 Elite Bomber Plane Squadrons (Steath ability)

Saudi
 deployement (all ground/air units in Saudi bases):
- Hex J22 (earmarked for the Egypt crisis)
• 1 green armor brigade
• 4 green mech brigades
• 1 experienced infantry (amphibious) brigade
• 2 res mot brigades (security) (NG)
• 1 exp SAM battery
• 5 green multi-role squadrons
• 1 exp frigate squadron (reserve, as it has been built this turn)



-Hex J23
• 2 green armor brigades
• 4 green mech brigades
• 2 green art brigades
• 1 vet infantry (airborne) brigade (in Bahrain)
• 2 green artillery brigades
• 2 res mech brigades (NG)
• 2 res mot brigades (security) (NG)
• 2 exp SAM brigades
• 1 exp ABM brigade
• 5 vet multi-role squadrons (keeping NFZ)
• 5 exp multi-role squadrons (keeping NFZ)
• 2 green support squadrons (AAT)
• 2 green support helo squadrons (AAT)
• 1 exp frigate squadron
• 2 exp patrol squadrons


Hexes  I21 and J 24 (each):
• 1 res mot brigade
• 1 res mech brigade (NG)
• 1 res mot brigade (security) (NG)


-Hex I22:
• 1 res mot brigade
• 1 res mech brigade (NG)
• 1 res mot brigade (security) (NG)
• 1 exp SAM battery


Hexes  K23 and K24 (each):
• 1 green armor brigade (both recalled to J23)
• 1 res mot brigade
• 1 res mech brigade (NG)
• 1 res mot brigade (security) (NG)


UK
I21
1 veteran Destroyer squadrons
1 veteran Frigate squadrons
1 veteran corvette squad

1 elite Inf Bde (stealth, airborne, amphibious, SAS/SBS/SRR)
1 veteran support plane Squadrons (air assault transport, long range)carrying:
1 elite Inf Bde (stealth, airborne, amphibious, SAS/SBS/SRR)
1 veteran inf Bde (incl UN peacekeeping force)

1 Veteran Bomber Squadrons (longrange)
2 veteran Multirole plane Squadrons (Interceptor)
1 veteran Multirole plane Squadrons (Eurofighter)
1 elite multirole plane squad (Tornado)
1 veteran support plane Squadrons (transport, long range)
1 veteran squad multirole helicopter
1 veteran support helicopter squadron (SAR, utility, light transport)


I23
1 veteran Aircraft Carrier group  - HMS Invincible
    -2 elite multirole planes squadrons(Harriers)
    -1 veteran support helicopter squad(CCC, utility)
2 veteran Destroyer squadrons
1 experienced corvette Squad

H15
1 Veteran Frigate Squadron


Iran
10           5 Experienced Tank Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)
20           10 Green Tank Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)
7              1 Elite Infantry Brigade (Military-Ground 7.5, Stealth ability) Combat Damage=Reserve status
30           6 Veteran Infantry Brigade (Military-Ground 7.5, Airborne ability) 1x Combat Damage=Reserve status
10           5 Experienced Motorized Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)
20           10 Green Motorized Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5) 1x Combat Damage=Reserve status
0              15 Reserve Motorized Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)
20           10 Green Infantry Brigade (Military-Ground 7.5,) 1x Combat Damage=Reserve status
20           8 Reserve Infantry Brigade (Military-Ground 7.5, Security ability)
8              4 Green Artillery Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5) 2x Combat damage=Reserve status
8              4 Green SAM Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)


15           3 Veteran Multi-role planes squadrons (Military-Air 8.2)
14           7 Experienced Multi-role planes squadrons (Military-Air 7.5)
4              2 Experienced Support planes squadrons (Military-Air 7.5, Airborne Assault Transport ability )1xCD=Reserv

2              1 Experienced Destroyer squadrons (Military-Sea 7.0)
4              2 Experienced Frigate squadrons (Military-Sea 7.0)
10           5 Experienced Patrol/Corvette squadrons (Military-Sea 7.0)
20           10 Green Patrol/Corvette squadrons (Military-Sea 7.0)
4              2 Experienced Attack Submarine squadrons (Military-Sea 7.0)
4              2 Green Attack Submarine squadrons (Military-Sea 7.0)
The MISSILE FORCES are controlled by the IRGC.
8              4 Green IRBM squadrons (Space 7.7)

China
Chinese forces in Iran 2025-
hex H20 - Hamadan

1 Experienced Support planes squadron (CCC)
4 Veteran Multirole planes squadrons
10 Experienced Multirole planes squadrons
1 Veteran Bomber planes squadrons
8 Experienced Bomber planes squadrons
6 Experienced Support planes squadrons (Transport)

hex I23: Bandar-e Emam Khomeyni Sealift
2 Experienced Aircraft Carrier (Amphibious Assault Transport)
    - 2 Experienced Multirole Squadron (Amphibious)  -each Carrier
    - 1 Experienced Support Helo (Amphibious) -each Carrier
    - 1 Experienced Mechanized Brigade (Amphibious)  -each Carrier
1 Veteran Destroyer
2 Experienced Destroyer
3 Veteran Frigates Squadrons
2 Experienced Frigates Squadrons
1 Veteran Attack Submarine
1 Experienced Attack Submarine
3 Experienced Destroyer Squadrons (Amphibious Assault)
6 Experienced Mechanized Brigades (Amphibious)
3 Experienced Infantry Brigades


Russia

hex H19 Syria 3 Experienced Multi-role Plane Squadrons (T-50)
              2 Veteran Mechanized Brigade (BMP-4) -1 is 'Reserve' status at the moment due to only have just been moved in.

hex G18 5 Experienced Multi-role Plane Squadrons (T-50)  enforcing NFZ H22
        5 Experienced Multi-role Plane Squadrons (Kazahakstan/Turmenistan/Uzbeckistan planes)

hex G24  1 Experienced Cruiser (Slava)
         2 Experienced Destroyer Squadrons (Udaloy &Sovremmenny)
         2 Experienced Frigate Squadrons (Steregushchy)


Germany
In hex H19 (Turkey):

Land forces:

    2 Vet Armor Brigades
    1 Vet mech Brigade
    1 elite Fallschirmjäger (airborne inf) brigade
    1 Vet SPG (art) brigade
    1 vet SAM battery
    1 exp inf brigade (Luftwaffe)



Air forces:

    2 elite multi-role (intercept, ASAT) squadrons
    6 vet multi-role (intercept) squadrons
    4 vet multi-role squadrons
    1 vet support (CCC) squadron



In hex L24 (Bandar Beyla, Somalia)

Land:

    1 experienced Feldsjäger (secc inf) brigade
    1 elite inf brigade (airborne, amphibious)



Air:

    2 vet multi-role squadrons (naval air wings)(note 1)
    1 vet support squadron (CCC)


Sea (patroling also adjacent hexes)

    1 experienced CVH (AAT)
        2 vet multi-role helicopters (note 2)
    1 experienced submarine squadron
    1 vet submarine squadron (note 1)



Note 1: the second naval air wing and the vet submarine were sent as things began to become hot with the Chinese, whe nthe deplyement in Turkey began.

Note 2: one of them is listed as AAT capability, but I latter discovered this could only be in support helos, so I guess it's null and the unit is just a MR helo (I guess the extra money spent went to a failed experiment about making them able to transport units).

France
hex H19 Forces ????

Italy
hex H19 Forces ????
This message was last edited by the player at 17:47, Tue 03 June 2014.

Are there Russian or French forces commited to the zone?

As I understood the news received, Russia kept part of the NFZ, and France also was acting with NATO forces (though IDK if its forces were specified)...

In reply to Germany (msg # 21):

See correction above about Russia. I have never heard anything about the French, so no French unless Thomas really really wants to them, then probably Ok.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:04, Sun 25 May 2014.

In reply to Combat Cycle Ref (msg # 22):

Sorry, now I relize the hour of your post and probaly posted that while you were editing it

I see German troops in hex H19 are not listed there. Is this intentional or unintentional omission?



Answered in PM (to Russia, as it was bumping an older post)
This message was last edited by the player at 18:02, Sun 25 May 2014.

In reply to Germany (msg # 24):

Fixed Germany, Iran, UK and Russia. Added a holder for France and Italy. Had to edit the forces for China as well.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:58, Thu 29 May 2014.

In reply to Combat Cycle Ref (msg # 20):

/BREAKING NEWS./ /BREAKING NEWS./ /BREAKING NEWS./ /BREAKING NEWS./ /BREAKING NEWS./
Yes Sasha, we have been witness to some extraordinary events here in the Persian Gulf. With one of our camera balloons you can see the footage we took just a few minutes ago. Here a group of Chinese ships and planes rapidly approach the main British and American forces. A squadron of British jet fighters and corvettes race ahead to block the oncoming Chinese. The Chinese guns swivel and…

fire.

-----------------------------------
Welcome everyone to the first Combat cycle of this War Round, this will be a little mini battle, hopefully this will give me a chance to figure out how this website works and will involve only the small fraction of the forces in the Gulf on both sides which I feel are in contact with each other at the moment. We will get to the bigger stuff&movement in the next Combat Cycle.
Chinese
2 Experienced Multirole Squadron (Amphibious)
1 Veteran Destroyer
2 Experienced Destroyer
1 Experienced Frigates Squadrons

British
1 Veteran (see note 1 –Elite on Veteran ship) Multirole Squadron (Amphibious)
1 Experienced corvette Squad

Initiative:
Most Air units: +2 to China
Most Spy Satellite: +2 to China
Only Spy Satellite: +4 to China
Chinese average Mil tech level: 7.6, UK average Mil tech level: 8.6: +30 to UK
Lowest Military Rank: +8 UK

17:52, Today: Combat Cycle Ref rolled 8 using 1d10. Initiative for China.
17:52, Today: Combat Cycle Ref rolled 10 using 1d10. Initiative for UK.

Total 2+2+4+8 = 16 points for China
Total 30+8+10 = 48 points for UK

Purchases: Yes, I know, you guys are supposed to choose, indulge me here, I want to keep things moving, you will get your chance soon enough.
UK: 2 column shifts, +8 Initiative score next time Initiative is recalculated.
China: 1 column shift

Total Combat Strength
UK: [1 x 3 x (1 +1) x 8.6^2] + [1 x 1 x 1 x 8.6^2] = 443 + 73 = 516
China [2 x 3 x 1 x 8.0^2] + [1 x 3 x (1+1) x 7.4^2] + [2 x 3 x 1 x 7.4^2] + [1 x 1 x 1 x 7.4^2] = 384 + 328 +328 + 54 = 1094

Odds China is the attacker 1094/516 = 2:1 odds, shifted 2 left, 1 right becomes 1.5:1

18:16, Today: Combat Cycle Ref rolled 4 using 1d10. Combat.

Results: 40%loss attacker (437 points), 20% defender (103 points)
Chinese E Destroyers absorb a max of 2 x 164 x 1.3 for Med armour = 426 points, Reduced to Reserve. Remainder 437-424=13 points discarded.
UK: V Mulitrole Plane absorb 103 points, discarded.


(note 1 –Elite on Veteran ship)Operating from a Veteran carrier, as per sec 10.5.1-Arcraft/Helicopter Carrier Groups sentence#6 of version20140501 the planes operate as Veteran
-----------------------------------------------------

No, you do not have time yet to issue public declarations or anything time consuming like that. This is all happening now. I will privately contact all of you shortly with a few questions and then we will proceed from there.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:11, Fri 30 May 2014.

So, I understand ESA's "surveillance" satellites ar not fully deployed yet...



To ease thing on following Combat Cycles, and as I agree in your time saving measure; would it be useful for the players to tell their intended purchases beforehand (e.g.: Initiative will be used to purchase up to 2 columns and bonus for next turn), so that you could use it to the best of yuor understanding but according to players' wishes?
This message was last edited by the player at 15:16, Fri 30 May 2014.

In reply to Germany (msg # 27):

>So, I understand ESA's "surveillance" satellites ar not fully deployed yet...
See sec 12.0 par#1 sentence#2 of versio20140501 Technically the wording just leaves it up to the GM if they are to be counted or not. Which is the point where I remind you that I did ask if there was anything going on in the world relevant to the situation that I should know about, like building a spy satellite network, ... because I didn't know. Which is why there is always sec 3.0 point#6 of version20140501

>would it be useful for the players to tell their intended purchases beforehand
The problem is that there is a d10 roll added to the initiative so we do not know ahead of time what is the total. Even if we change things to do some variation of discounting/removing this roll the players are still not going to know the total points available until the final lineup of forces, as those points available depend on things like 'most' or 'only' etc. So you still cannot have the players tell you what they can afford to get, except only in the most general terms, ahead of time. Fortunately the calculation for initiative is not (supposed to!) come up all that often.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 21:42, Fri 30 May 2014.

Ok, Sorry, I assumed that being it in the Eurocorps and German pages it would be known.



That's what I meant, general directives (off course you cannot give exact ones when ther's a reandom factor in it.

In reply to Combat Cycle Ref (msg # 20):

-Minor correction to Chinese forces based on the 'China_Military_2025' file.

-Revision of the Russian allied forces. I found the original notes.

-Something that was not properly updated in the rules proposal file posted to the main website was the statement that because of the time consuming back and forth it would take in our PBEM format, the GM will choose which units take damage based on first those with 'Heavy' ability, then strongest, then greatest mass. 15 Initiative points to reverse that order. So yah, I messed up on the encounter results too, but it does not really change anything. I will update the text of the rules on the website in a while, but first I want to figure out what to do about the problem with missile interceptions that Lluis pointed out.

While reviewing the combat as was described, just wanting to ask for a clarification (as I think this should also be used for uss all to see how the system Works).



(bolds are mine)

I understand the bold multipliers are for quality. If so, those units being veteran, shouldn't it be 1+0.5 instead of 1+1?

Rules, 12.1:



Needless to say, I don't intend anything to be changed, just being sure I understand well the system. After all, I guess numbers won't change too much...

In reply to Germany (msg # 31):

You are only just now figuring out that I messed up ;), I have known for days. It is history now, there is still nothing that can be done about it.

Player Iran says:

In Iran´s defence

The evil degenerated colonial west and its allies are once again on a crusade to take over or destroy all who refuse to bow down to the almighty dollar. Now the turn has come, yet again to Iran.

This time the enemy has allied itself with Kurdish terrorists who have been proved to be supported by the Israeli aswell.

Iran is fighting together with our good neighbor China to stave off this injust attack. We call upon the international community to speak out against this aggression. In order to show that we only want to defend ourselves we have not and will not fight outside Iran or our waters (ie the Persian Gulf).

Iran has not sought this fight. We are fighting at home, in our garden, protecting our families and homes. Can the American, English, German, Russian say the same? No, they have crossed oceans and mountains to come and attack us at our homes. Is this just? No

Please stand up with Iran today or you might be next.

Forces Available
USA/UK
hex I23

1 Aircraft Carrier (Heavy)
3 Naval Veteran Multirole Plane Squadrons
1 Naval Veteran Multirole Helicopter Squadrons
2 Veteran Attack Submarine Squadrons
1 Veteran Frigate Squadron
4 Veteran Destroyer Squadrons
2 Veteran Cruiser Squadrons
1 Veteran Helicopter Carrier
1 Multirole Helicopter Squadron
2 Marine Elite Multirole Plane squadrons
2 Marine Elite Multirole Helicopter Squadrons
2 Marine Support Helicopter Squadrons (Transport)
1 Elite Multirole Helicopter Squadron
2 Experienced Support Helicopter Squadrons(Transport)
6 Elite Multirole Plane Squadrons (Stealth ability)
1 veteran Aircraft Carrier group  - HMS Invincible
    -2 elite multirole planes squadrons(Harriers)
    -1 veteran support helicopter squad(CCC)
2 veteran Destroyer squadrons
1 experienced corvette Squad
 2 Spy Networks
2 Comm Network
2 GPS Network

I21
1 Veteran Bomber Squadrons (longrange)
Saudi Arabia
-Hex J23
• 2 exp SAM brigades
• 1 exp ABM brigade
• 5 vet multi-role squadrons (keeping NFZ)
• 5 exp multi-role squadrons (keeping NFZ)
• 2 green support helo squadrons (AAT)
• 1 exp frigate squadron
• 2 exp patrol squadrons



Iran
Hex H20 Kurdfront
5 Experienced Tank Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)
10 Green Tank Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)
4 Green Artillery Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5) 2x Combat damage=Reserve status
10 Green Infantry Brigade (Military-Ground 7.5,) 1x Combat Damage=Reserve status
6 Veteran Infantry Brigade (Military-Ground 7.5, Airborne ability) 1x Combat Damage=Reserve status
5 Experienced Motorized Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)
3 Experienced Multi-role planes squadrons (Military-Air 7.5)
4 Green IRBM squadrons (Space 7.7)

Hex H22 (H21 missing...) Turkmenistan border
1 Green Motorized Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)
2 Reserve Infantry Brigade (Military-Ground 7.5, Security ability)
1 Reserve Motorized Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)

hex I22 Iraq border
2 Green Motorized Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)
2 Reserve Infantry Brigade (Military-Ground 7.5, Security ability)
5 Reserve Motorized Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)

Hex I23 Gulf navy and coast
1 Experienced Destroyer squadrons (Military-Sea 7.0)
2 Experienced Frigate squadrons (Military-Sea 7.0)
5 Experienced Patrol/Corvette squadrons (Military-Sea 7.0)
10 Green Patrol/Corvette squadrons (Military-Sea 7.0)
2 Experienced Attack Submarine squadrons (Military-Sea 7.0)
2 Green Attack Submarine squadrons (Military-Sea 7.0)
3 Veteran Multi-role planes squadrons (Military-Air 8.2)
4 Experienced Multi-role planes squadrons (Military-Air 7.5)
4 Green SAM Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5) (if they can have effect at sea, otherwise deploy to H20)
5 Green Motorized Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)
1 Elite Infantry Brigade (Military-Ground 7.5, Stealth ability) Combat Damage=Reserve status
2 Reserve Infantry Brigade (Military-Ground 7.5, Security ability)
5 Reserve Motorized Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)
2 Experienced Support planes squadrons (Military-Air 7.5, Airborne Assault Transport ability )1xCD=Reserv

Hex I24 Pakistan border
2 Green Motorized Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5) 1x Combat Damage=Reserve status
2 Reserve Infantry Brigade (Military-Ground 7.5, Security ability)
4 Reserve Motorized Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)

China
hex H20 - Hamadan
1 Experienced Support planes squadron (CCC)
4 Veteran Multirole planes squadrons
10 Experienced Multirole planes squadrons
1 Veteran Bomber planes squadrons
8 Experienced Bomber planes squadrons
6 Experienced Support planes squadrons (Transport)

hex I23: Bandar-e Emam Khomeyni Sealift
2 Experienced Aircraft Carrier (Amphibious Assault Transport)
    - 2 Experienced Multirole Squadron (Amphibious)  -each Carrier
    - 1 Experienced Support Helo (Amphibious) -each Carrier
    - 1 Experienced Mechanized Brigade (Amphibious)  -each Carrier
1 Veteran Destroyer
2 Experienced Destroyer (Reserve)
3 Veteran Frigates Squadrons
2 Experienced Frigates Squadrons
1 Veteran Attack Submarine
1 Experienced Attack Submarine
3 Experienced Destroyer Squadrons (Amphibious Assault) (1xReserve)
6 Experienced Mechanized Brigades (Amphibious)
3 Experienced Infantry Brigades

1 Spy Network
1 Comm Network
1 GPS Network

Russia
hex H19 Syria 3 Experienced Multi-role Plane Squadrons (T-50)
              2 Veteran Mechanized Brigade (BMP-4) -1 is 'Reserve' status at the moment due to only have just been moved in.

hex G18 5 Experienced Multi-role Plane Squadrons (T-50)  enforcing NFZ H22
        5 Experienced Multi-role Plane Squadrons (Kazahakstan/Turmenistan/Uzbeckistan planes)

hex G24  1 Experienced Cruiser (Slava)
         2 Experienced Destroyer Squadrons (Udaloy &Sovremmenny)
         2 Experienced Frigate Squadrons (Steregushchy)

1 Spy Network
1 Comm Network
1 GPS Network

Free Kurdish Republic
Military-Ground 7.7, Mil Rank 4
1 Veteran Mech  Brigade w\Israeli commandos & other assets (SAM, Stealth)
2 Experienced Motorized Brigades (SAM)
3 Experienced Infantry Brigades
4 Green Infantry Brigades (Stealth)
4 Reserve Infantry Brigades (Stealth)


-------------------------
Initiative

Iran/China
-2 most Reserve
-2 alliance
+2 most air
+2 most Support
=-2 +9 roll = +7
Use to:
1xChange die roll by 1

Russia/stans
-2 alliance
=-2 + 10 rolled = +8
Use to:
1xChange die roll by 1

USA/UK
-2 alliance
-2 Most Heavy
+2 Most Vet or Elite
+2 Most Spy
+2 Most GPS
+2 Most Comms
+42 tech 7.1 avg vs. tech 8.5 avg
+16 lowest Mil Rank: 1 vs. 3
+8 from previous
=70 + 1 Roll =71
Use to:
1x Reverse order of Combat Cycle
1x Reverse order of Damage
1x Force one ‘Hidden’ status to be revealed
2xColumn shift
1xChange die roll by 1

Free Kurdish Republic
+2 Most Stealth
=2 + 9 rolled = 11
2xChange die roll by 1


Saudi Arabia
= 0 + 6 Rolled
Use to:
1xChange die roll by 1


Order will be
Saudi Arabia 6
China/Iran 7
Russia 8
Free Kurdish Republic 11
USA/UK  71
This message was last edited by the player at 19:22, Wed 18 June 2014.

This message was deleted by the player at 20:06, Wed 18 June 2014.

How does the reversal of order for the Combat Cycle choosen by UK/USA affect Saudi turn in this Combat Cycle?

In reply to Saudi Arabia (msg # 36):

Instructions from Liam is not to use it unless some other side tries to reverse the order. So in this case, it is a defensive measure to revert things back to the 'normal' order, if needed.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:47, Thu 19 June 2014.

For the rest of the Turn at least I have asked David Harris, the player for Brazil, to run the affairs of India. If your nation has done anything with regards to India this Turn then now is the time to let me, and him know. You can contact David by sending a Private Message on this site to Brazil, be sure to make clear you are actually addressing India and to CC me (Combat Cycle ref) and Andreas (Japan).

I have not allowed India to start with any forces in hex I23 or I24 and only a 1 sub, 2 corvette force in J24.

I am sure we are all eager to get the Turn moving but in light of this new addition I will hold off until sometime of my choosing late on the 20th of June to advance things, hopefully this will be enough time for everyone to adapt and send a few messages. This does not mean I am going to allow any of you to completely change your orders that you sent in, you wrote them with the knowledge that India existed, so they are basically set. I am just recognizing that I brought David in late to the party and he might want to do something so you all should have some chance to react.

Wellcome to the mess David



I guess some Indian naval forces (probably light ones) will be in L24 or adjacent hexes, as they participated in the international anti-piracy misión there (along with Germany, South Africa and China).

Actions for Saudi Arabia

Space: NA
Air: Abort attack
Naval: Abort attack
Ground: NA

Actions for China/Iran

Space:                                                 and then
                                                    up          down
                                                 up                  down
A salvo of rockets leap into the sky, they go up                          down, aiming for the NATO ships in the Gulf

with conventional warheads
5 Vet IRBM tech 7.7 Base Combat Strength is 2.
5 Exp IRBM tech 7.7 Base Combat Strength is 2.
4 Green IRBM tech 7.35 Base Combat Strength is 2.
Total Attack is 1697

Total Defense of all NATO forces in I23 is 12344, reduced to 3086 because this is an attack from above. Ratio is 1697/3086 = 0.54 rounded down to 0.5, so column 1:2 is used, NATO uses their initiative advantages to shift this to 1:4. NATO and Chinese/Iranian initiative advantages changes to die roll cancel out.

22:02, Today: Combat Cycle Ref rolled 8 using 1d10. China/Iran Space Attack I23.

Result 100/0, damage to Attacking units ignored because weapons of defenders cannot reach back to origin. Final result 0/0

Zoink!!!

And the world breathed a collective sigh of relief, as the missiles were not nuclear armed, and they missed their targets.  Were it not for the second, tens of thousands would have died.  Were it not for the first, tens of millions would have died.

Actions for China/Iran (continued)

Air:
Total Attack is 6858 (of all available air units the Chinese Support-Transport do not assist)

Total Defense of all NATO forces in I23 is 12344, reduced to 9386 because this is an attack from above though some are Air units and others have SAM ability. Ratio is 6858 / 9386 = 0.73, so column 1:1.5 is used, NATO uses their initiative advantages to shift this to 1:3. NATO and Chinese/Iranian initiative advantages changes to die roll cancel out.

23:07, Today: Combat Cycle Ref rolled 5 using 1d10. China/Iran Air Attack I23.

Result 100/0

The following Chinese Air units are reduced to Reserve status
1 Experienced Support planes squadron (CCC)
4 Veteran Multirole planes squadrons
10 5 Experienced Multirole planes squadrons
1 Veteran Bomber planes squadrons
8 Experienced Bomber planes squadrons

The following Iranian Air units are reduced to Reserve status
3 Veteran Multi-role planes squadrons
4 Experienced Multi-role planes squadrons

No NATO units are reduced to Reserve status
This message was last edited by the player at 18:47, Mon 23 June 2014.

https://www.youtube.com/v/xslM...rel=0&autoplay=1

This is the BBC with a special announcement - we now go to 10 downing street for an announcement by the Prime Minister.

....

I am speaking to you from the cabinet room at 10 Downing Street. Earlier this morning Chinese and Iranian forces in the Persian Gulf began moving towards the British and American forces in Saudi Territorial waters participating in the international No Fly Zone over the Kurdish region of the middle east.

Given that Iranian and Chinese forces had been reported as violating the No Fly Zone currently in force the senior task force officer, Vice Admiral Richard Charkabrati, took the decision to dispatch a flight of Harriers from HMS Invincible along with several light ships into the path of the Iranian and Chinese forces as they crossed into Saudi Territorial waters. This was done to warn away Chinese and Iranian forces moving as if to threaten his command, and both I and the government support his decision completely. The forward British forces were then fired upon by the Iranians and Chinese.

Following this action no UK forces or NATO forces were reported to have been damaged significantly, though in response our forces seriously damaged a Chinese destroyer.

This minor action did not dissuade the Chinese and Iranian forces from closing with the NATO task force.

As I speak to you our forces, alongside our allies, are engaged in a struggle against Chinese and Iranian forces who have attacked them without warning. This battle is still raging in the Persian Gulf.

Approximately 10 minutes ago I was informed that a large launch of Ballistic missiles had been detected in mainland China and these missiles were being tracked on a western course - given the situation in the Middle east and the possibility the Chinese had decided to launch a nuclear first strike against us or another of the nations currently opposing them I, as other European leaders, felt there was no choice but to employ emergency measures to try and prepare our nations for a potential nuclear attack - One I admit I personally believed was imminent.

Thankfully, no nuclear attack has taken place - I say again, there has been no use of Nuclear weapons.

The launch we detected was aimed at our forces in the Persian Gulf - we are still awaiting confirmation of what has happened but early indications are that this missile attack was completely ineffectual.

Despite the possibility for civil unrest and disruptions the use of our emergency broadcast system could have caused and the understandable terror all of us felt I am proud and humbled by the strength, determination and fortitude most of you have shown since the first emergency broadcast. I know as we face an uncertain future that together as a nation nothing will prevent us from achieving our ends.

This attack against our men and women in uniform aiding our allies in preventing the massacre of the Kurdish peoples by the cabal currently in power in Iran, who are now clearly being supported by the the government of the Peoples Republic of China, is a clear act of war, and one that cannot, and will not, go unanswered.

Tonight you can go to bed happy and relieved that the worst has not come to pass, but tomorrow you should know that we, alongside the rest of the world, march to war.

Alongside our allies, both those currently bound to us in treaty and spirit and those who will no doubt come forward distressed and shocked by this further escalation by China, we shall be going to the aid of the Kurdish peoples. We have a clear conscience. We, and our partners, have done all that any country could do to establish peace save stand aside and allow a peoples to be massacred.
The situation in which China can not be trusted to restrain its militarism and no people or country could feel themselves safe has become intolerable.

Finally, I know the BBC world service is carrying my voice not only to the people of the UK but to many others around the world. I want to speak directly to those of you caught in the current combat in Iran. Regardless of your race or creed I assure you, NATO and its allies are not your enemy. We are involving ourselves in your affairs to prevent the cabal of despots in the form of Iran's supreme ruler and guardian council from undertaking a campaign of extermination against the Kurdish peoples who have risen up in protest against oppression and percicution they suffered under the rule of these men - Men who have sold you and your nation into Chinese slavery in exchange for nothing more than the protection of their privilege and power and who have proven willing to exterminate their fellow man on a massive scale to preserve their own power and wealth.

In the forthcoming months you may find Nato and its allies engaged in war against these despots and their minions, but we have no desire to conquer you or render you slaves to us as your leaders have rendered you slaves to Chinese ambition.

Should the time come, you will be offered an opportunity to help cast off the oppression of those who are willing to prostitute their people for no reason more than their own greed. You have the chance to redefine not only how the world see you but in what you as a people stand for. Do not be persuaded by those who currently rule over you that they are the only option you have, that Nato and its allies are the servants of Satan, that you must resist foreign interference in their plans to annihilate a portion of your countrymen simply because they are Kurdish.

I know many, indeed most of you, are believers in the Muslim faith. As you face the days to come you will be told by many of your clerics to resist us. Many will have been seduced by the power they currently enjoy, the privilege afforded to them by your current rulers or the belief that we are somehow evil regardless of our actions, other will oppose us because they truly believe we are in the wrong. As you consider where you stand I ask you to look to the Koran itself and remember

" be persistently standing firm for Allah , witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness"

Islam as a faith does not, could not, support the actions of those men who in their conceit have suborned your nation to their greed following the revolution of 1979.

I call on you to take the side of Righteousness, I beg you to cast aside your preconceptions of us and consider instead what we are doing and have done. Do not let distrust or hatred of others blind you to what is happening - stand with us in defense of your fellow man and in defense of justice against those who call themselves men of god but have sold you and yours for no greater cause than their own pride and greed.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:08, Mon 23 June 2014.

In reply to Combat Cycle Ref (msg # 43):

Actions for China/Iran (continued)

Air: Iran vs. Russia&allies in hex H22
Iran
3 Experienced Multi-role planes squadrons from H20
Total Attack is 453

Russia&allies
5 Experienced Multi-role planes squadrons (Military-Air 8.6)
5 Experienced Multi-role planes squadrons (Military-Air 6.5)
Total Defense of all forces in H22 is 1742 Ratio is 453/ 1742 = 0.26, so column 1:4 is used. Russia and Iranian initiative advantages changes to die roll cancel out.

23:05, Today: Combat Cycle Ref rolled 9 using 1d10. Iran Air Attack H22.

Result 60/20

The following Iranian Air units are reduced to Reserve status
1 Experienced Multirole planes squadrons(Military-Air 7.1)

The following Russian Air units are reduced to Reserve status
1 Experienced Multirole planes squadrons(Military-Air 8.6)

---------------------------

Naval: Chinese/Iranians attacks NATO I23
Total Attack is 2599 (Carriers and Reserve quality ships do not participate.

Total Defense of all NATO forces in I23 is 12374 Ratio is 2599 / 12374 = 0.21, so column 1:4 is used, NATO uses their initiative advantages to shift this to 1:6 . NATO and Chinese/Iranian initiative advantages changes to die roll cancel out.

23:44, Today: Combat Cycle Ref rolled 7 using 1d10. China/Iran Sea Attack I23.

Result 100 / 0

The following Iranian Naval units are reduced to Reserve status
1 Experienced Destroyer squadrons
2 Experienced Frigate squadrons
5 Experienced Patrol/Corvette squadrons
2 Experienced Attack Submarine squadrons
2 Green Attack Submarine squadrons

The following Chinese Naval units are reduced to Reserve status
1 Veteran Destroyer
3 Veteran Frigates Squadrons
2 Experienced Frigates Squadrons
1 Veteran Attack Submarine
1 Experienced Attack Submarine
2 Experienced Destroyer Squadrons (Amphibious Assault)


No NATO units are reduced to Reserve status
This message was last edited by the player at 18:45, Mon 23 June 2014.

In reply to Combat Cycle Ref (msg # 46):

Actions for China/Iran (continued)

Ground: Iran vs. Kurd in hex H20
Iran
Use of WMDs by Artillery brigades
Total Attack is 4526

Free Kurdish Republic
Total Defense 1108

Ratio is 4526 / 1108 = 6.08, so column 6:1 is used. Kurdish and Iranian initiative advantages changes to die roll add up to +1 for Kurd.

12:41, Today: Combat Cycle Ref rolled 7 using 1d10. Ground: Iran vs. Kurd in hex H20. Modified to 6 due to Kurd init advant

Result 0 / 100

The following Iranian units are reduced to Reserve status
None

The following Kurdish units are reduced to Reserve status
1 Veteran Mech  Brigade w\Israeli commandos & other assets (SAM, Stealth)
2 Experienced Motorized Brigades (SAM)
3 Experienced Infantry Brigades
1 Green Infantry Brigades (Stealth)
This message was last edited by the player at 18:46, Mon 23 June 2014.

In reply to Combat Cycle Ref (msg # 47):

Actions for Russia&Allies

Space: None
Air: Continue to enforce NFZ
Naval: NA
Ground: NA

In reply to Combat Cycle Ref (msg # 47):

Actions for the Free Kurdish Republic

Space: NA
Air: NA
Naval: NA
Ground: The following Kurdish units move to H19
1 Veteran Mech  Brigade (SAM, Stealth) CD 1xReserve
2 Experienced Motorized Brigades (SAM) CD 2xReserve
3 Experienced Infantry Brigades CD 3xReserve
This message was last edited by the player at 18:23, Mon 23 June 2014.

In reply to Combat Cycle Ref (msg # 43):

Please note the changes to Chinese/Iranian Air units reduced to Reserve. My apologies but I had completely forgotten to take into account the effect of armour on this combat. Usually I do not like to make changes after the fact, it tends to cause more problems than it solves, but I think I caught this mistake early enough that it should be ok.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:56, Mon 23 June 2014.

In reply to Combat Cycle Ref (msg # 46):


Please note the changes to Chinese/Iranian Naval units reduced to Reserve. My apologies but I had completely forgotten to take into account the effect of armour on this combat. Usually I do not like to make changes after the fact, it tends to cause more problems than it solves, but I think I caught this mistake early enough that it should be ok.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:56, Mon 23 June 2014.

Germany condemns the use of chemical weapons by part of the Irani army, in what means a breach of the Geneva Convention, and so a War Crime.

NATO cannot tolerate those War Crimes, and so NATO forces are going to defend Kurdish population against them in the whole Kurdistán, as well as trying to take the people responsable for them to be taken before the International Penal Court.

As we cannot believe the whole Irani population agrees with such serious crimes, we ask Irani people to depose those War Criminals and hand them over to the IPC as a show that them, and only them, are guilty of such acts, while Irani people condemns them ans is not going to allow them to happen again.

Whoops!  It looks like Indian Strategic Nuclear doctrine was 'leaked' to the international press!  The leaked document, entitled "Preemptive Retaliation", may be summarized thusly:

"Any ballistic missiles must be assumed to be nuclear armed.  Thus, upon detection of ballistic missiles incoming towards India, a full preemptive retaliatory nuclear strike will be launched against the military bases, cities, and infrastructure of the attacker."

Actions for the USA/UK/Germany

Space: NA
Air: I23 Air + 1x Vet bomber from I21, attack vs. Iranian/Chinese Air/Naval in I23. Total attack 3250
Iranian/Chinese Air-Iranian Multi-role+Chinese carrier borne Multi-role, Naval-most ships already at Reserve status. Total Defense 2710, reduced to 1885 due to Air Defense.

 Ratio is 3250/1885 = 1.72 rounded down to 1, so column 1:1 is used, NATO uses their initiative advantages to shift this to 3:1. NATO and Chinese/Iranian initiative advantages changes to die roll cancel out.

22:03, Today: Combat Cycle Ref rolled 8 using 1d10. I23 Air + 1x Vet bomber from I21, attack vs. Iranian/Chinese Air/Naval in I23.

Result 0/100

The following Chinese units are reduced to Reserve status
4x Exp Multi-role plane Squadrons (Amphibious)
2x Exp Aircraft carrier

The following Iranian units are reduced to Reserve status
4x Exp Multi-role plane Squadrons
5x Exp Patrol Squadrons
7x Green Patrol Squadrons
This message was last edited by the player at 17:38, Sat 28 June 2014.

Actions for the USA/UK/Germany (cont.)

Air: H19 German UK USA Air  attack vs. Iranian/Chinese in H20. Total attack 7706
Iranian/Chinese Air and Ground in H20. Total Defense 5577, reduced to 2943 due to Air Defense.

 Ratio is 7706/2943= 2.62 rounded down to 2, so column 2:1 is used, NATO uses their initiative advantages to shift this to 4:1. NATO and Chinese/Iranian initiative advantages changes to die roll cancel out.

14:20, Today: Combat Cycle Ref rolled 10 using 1d10. H19 German UK USA Air  attack vs. Iranian/Chinese in H20.

Result 0/100

The following Chinese units are reduced to Reserve status
5 Experienced Multirole planes Squadrons
1 Experienced Support planes squadron (CCC)
6 Experienced Support planes squadrons (Transport)

The following Iranian units are reduced to Reserve status
5 Experienced Tank Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)
4 Green IRBM squadrons (Space 7.7)
7 Green Tank Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)

In reply to Combat Cycle Ref (msg # 54):

Actions for the USA/UK/Germany (cont.)

Naval: I23 UK USA Naval attack vs. Iranian/Chinese in I23. Total attack 5045
Iranian/Chinese Air and Ground in I23. Total Defense 597.

Ratio is 5045/597 = 8.45 rounded down to 8, so column 8:1 is used, NATO uses their initiative advantages to shift this to 10:1. NATO and Chinese/Iranian initiative advantages changes to die roll cancel out.

19:31, Today: Combat Cycle Ref rolled 2 using 1d10. I23 UK USA Naval attack vs. Iranian/Chinese in I23.

Result 0/100

The following Iranian units are reduced to Reserve status
2 Experienced Frigate squadrons (Military-Sea 7.0)
3 Green Patrol/Corvette squadrons (Military-Sea 7.0)

The following Iranian units are Destroyed
4 exp multi-role-Iran
2 Experienced Attack Submarine squadrons (Military-Sea 7.0)

The following Chinese units are Destroyed
4 exp multi-role-china
2 exp Air craft carrier
2 Experienced Destroyer Squadrons (Amphibious Assault)
1 Veteran Attack Submarine
1 Experienced Attack Submarine
1 Veteran Destroyer
This message was last edited by the player at 01:04, Sun 29 June 2014.

In reply to Combat Cycle Ref (msg # 55):

Actions for the USA/UK/Germany (cont.)

Naval:
UK forces deployed around Nigeria, they take up station and warn any Chinese military units to stay in port or be fired upon
Moved to M20
1 elite Carrier (HMS Illustrious)
 - 2 Elite Multi Role Planes
 - 1 Vet Support Heil
 - 1 Elite Inf Brig (Amphi Assault)
1 Vet Destroyer Sqdrn
2 Vet Frigate Sqdrn
2 Elite Corvette Sqdrns


Ground
USA forces from I22-Saudi Arabia, attempts to move through I22-Iraq on the way to H20. Resistance encountered enroute from Sunni&Shitte militia and Iraqi government forces. IEDs, suicide bombing, snipers, WMD tipped artillery shells. No brigade worthy combat occurs but some units are delayed and cannot participate.
2 Marine Elite Mechanized Brigades to H20
2 Veteran Motorized Brigades still stuck in I22 -Iraq
1 Elite Armored Brigade to H20

USA forces from H19-Turkey move to H20-Iran
2 Marine Elite Mechanized Brigades
2 Elite Motorized Brigades
1 Elite Mechanized Brigade
1 Elite Armored Brigade

UK forces from H19-Turkey move to H20-Iran
2 elite Inf Bde (stealth, airborne, amphibious, SAS/SBS/SRR)

German forces from H19-Turkey move to H20-Iran
2 Vet Armor Brigades
1 Vet mech Brigade
1 elite Fallschirmjäger (airborne inf) brigade
1 Vet SPG (art) brigade

Polish forces from H19-Turkey move to H20-Iran
2 Exp Mech
1 Green Mot


H20 UK USA Ground attack vs. Iranian/Chinese in H20-Iraq. Total attack 6469
Iranian/Chinese Air and Ground in H20-Iraq. Total Defense 2076.

Ratio is 6469/2252= 3.11 rounded down to 3, so column 3:1 is used, NATO uses their initiative advantages to shift this to 5:1. NATO and Chinese/Iranian initiative advantages changes to die roll cancel out.

21:18, Today: Combat Cycle Ref rolled 9 using 1d10. H20 UK USA Ground attack vs. Iranian/Chinese in H20-Iraq.


Result 0/100

The following Iranian units are reduced to Reserve status
3 Green Tank Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)
5 Experienced Motorized Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)
2 Green Artillery Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)
9 Green Infantry Brigade (Military-Ground 7.5,)

The following Iranian units are Destroyed
4 Green IRBM squadrons (Space 7.7) CD 4xReserve
7 Green Tank Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5) CD 7xReserve
5 Experienced Tank Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5) CD 5xReserve

The following Chinese units are Destroyed
8 Experienced Bomber planes Squadrons CD 8xReserve
1 Veteran Bomber planes Squadrons CD 1xReserve

In reply to Combat Cycle Ref (msg # 57):

This concludes combat for the first Combat Cycle of this War Round. I want to thank everyone for bearing with me on all of my mistakes and arbitrary rulings. I know that this took a lot longer that any of us expected it would but it has allowed me to identify many loopholes and problems.

I am going to need orders for what to do next soon but you are welcome to take the next week or so to decide amongst yourselves what you are going to do. Your orders are expected to be in the format of:
-Which brigade/squadron sized units move to what hex.
-Using what path of hexes.
-Initiating an attack against which 'side', in which hex, with what units, using WMDs or not.
-Any special instruction relevant to the rule mechanics of the game.

Unlike this past Combat Cycle when I heavily restricted movement, the next one your units will be free to move as usual.

And now, a message from the Prime Minister of India:

Good evening.  Over the past few weeks, many of us have been glued to our televisions, computers, and phones following the news of war so close to our borders.  The NATO alliance, most notably the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, alongside Russia, their former foe, have been working toward securing the independence of a long-downtrodden people, the Kurds.  I believe I can rightly say this is one of the most significant diplomatic successes of our age:  NATO and Russian forces working together towards a common goal, and I would like to publicly congratulate the leaders who made this joint operation possible.

That beig said, we must now consider the forces in opposition to this mission.  China and Iran seek to destroy the long-sought freedom of the Kurdish people.  How ironic, as Iran itself is now a de-facto puppet state of China, thanks to the poor decisions of the current Iranian leadership.

The current generation of Chinese leadership has repeatedly shown its inability to operate within established international norms.  From the Pakistani crisis in which they killed thousands of our sailors to the Burmese crisis in which they occupied a country of 60 millions.  Today, the Chinese leaders have chosen to instigate an extremely unwise conflict against forces from the USA-UK-German Alliance.  Their ill-conceived attacks have caused them nothing but misery, as their forces have been routed in every battle.  Even their highly provocative missile strike failed to puncture allied fleets.

My Government wishes to see this conflict de-escalated, but we must prepare for the worst.  As such, after long consideration with our military leaders, I am heightening our military readiness levels and mobilising our forces.  This is a purely defensive mobilization to prepare ourselves if the Chinese leadership refuses to stop this war from becoming a conflagration.  We have no interest in attacking China or Chinese troops.  But China must see that the world will not long stand idly by as they continue their unwarranted military expansion.

Thank you.

The Kemalist and AKP factions of Turkey have publicly overcome their differences and are making the compromises necessary to working out a government of national UNITY. With what is going on in the Middle East, nobody wanted a civil war. That NATO used Turkish territory as a springboard for an invasion of another nation without so much as asking the permission of the two main factions if it was acceptable to them was a big motivator. This government of national unity does not mean everyone is being nice to each other, unity is mandatory, loss of the tolerance for Kurdish independence is one of the compromises that had to be made and that means losing any territory to an independent Kurdistan is unacceptable. As NATO members, Turkey has formally invoked Article 5 of the NATO charter and is demanding NATO assistance in reclaiming the Turkish territory taken by the Independent Republic of Kurdistan.

Efective immediately, Saudi Air Force retakes the enforcement of the No-Fly Zone over south Iran.

Saudi forces will not engage any forces unless offensive acts are conducted against them. To avoid missunderstundings, will be considered offensive actions:

• To fire against any NFZ keeping plane (obviously).
• To use search/lock-on radars on them, either by air or surface forces.
• Aircrafts flying with their transponers off.
• Chinese military craft flying on westbound course (as they will be considered to go reinforcing the forces in Iran), unless previously authorized by the NFZ coalition. Chinese planes in Iran wil lbe allowed to fly eastbound to retreat to their bases.
• Military aricraft closing Saudi planes without autoritzation.

This message was lightly edited by the player at 15:46, Mon 07 July 2014.

Sittwe, Myanmar: In the city where Chinese naval vessels berthed until 2024, and Chinese military training cadre still sits, there have been numerous anti- Chinese riots leading to demands on the Burmese government to ask the Chinese government to withdraw the last of its military, training cadre and anti piracy forces, from Burma. The businesses and property of thousands of ethnic Chinese have been stolen or damaged not only in Burma but all over south east asia because of "China´s military aggressions" as one protester put it. The government has been passive...

Bagdad, Iraq: Iraqi President Muqtada al-Sadr appeared before thousands of Iraqis in Najaf to hear his latest speech in which he called the US, Israel, India and the UK "thieves and common enemies" against the Shiite people. His speech was greeted by the crowd chanting "Yes, yes for Muqtada! Yes, yes for the leader! Yes, yes, death for the Sunni scum!", whilst waving al-Sadr's pictures.

Cairo, Egypt: Tahrir Square is again covered in blood today as police used massed firepower to clear the square of the latest protest there, this time it was supporters of the Salafist ‘September 5’ movement; but were met with significant armed opposition from unknown resistors, some of the them wearing police uniforms. Flashes of gunfire are still being seen now, well into the night, as the latest crisis for the Egyptian nation continues.

Mosel, Iraq: The Holy Islamic Caliphate, a union of several Sunni militant factions, marked its founding in an elaborate ceremony and again declared jihad against unbelievers. The territory under the control of the Caliphate is unclear at this time but certainly includes much of Syria and the Sunni parts of Iraq which have revolted against the national government.  No foreigner was allowed to attend the ceremony but according to eyewitnesses it included the beheading of numerous people declared apostates or Christians and the maiming of those declared to be thieves.

Seoul, South Korea: An emergency meeting of PROTO members was convened today to discuss the exchanges of fire between Russian naval craft which were part of an exercise with China and those of North Korea. This incident involving North Korea follows closely after similar incidents between DRPK forces and the Japanese, which ended with the Japanese ordered all civilian, PMCs and naval forces away from N Korean waters. Announcements from official North Korean media outlets are loudly trumpeting that both the Japanese and Russians have run away from the might of the DPRK and promises further retaliatory measures.

In reply to Combat Cycle Ref (msg # 62):

-- The Inside Story - On Al Jazeera--

Today on the inside story - with NATO and Russian troops massing on the Iranian border, Chinese forces withdrawing from Iran after their catastrophic clash with NATO forces already, confirmation that the Iranian military has used chemical weapons and tensions in the region heating up fast our topic today is 'what next for Iran' - particularly after today's shock announcement by the British Prime minister that the UK had evidence the attack on Chinese shipping which caused the clash in the Persian Gulf was carried out by dissident members of the Iranian government associated with the revolutionary guard faction.

The UK has released a dossier listing the evidence they have gathered which they have made freely available to all - and I know my guests today will have had a chance to go though this already.

But the question on everyone mind is, is this a fabrication to justify a NATO attack or is the evidence true? If it is true does it give the Iranians a way of avoiding further bloodshed - and what does it mean for Iran as a whole.

Today I am joined by my guests to discuss the topic, they are...

-----------

Just to make it clearer

In reply to UK (msg # 63):

Moscow, Russia: In a resolution passed by the Russian State Duma, Boris Yakgonovic, Chairman of the Duma, said 'While the rest of world dithers about who shot first in the Gulf, it is the Russian people who suffered death from the Multi-drug resistant Tuberculosis epidemic  at the hands of what we now believe to be an Iranian plot. Likely the same criminals responsible for the horrific use of WMDs on the Kurdish peoples! This conflict is not over as long as the assassins of helpless women and children go free. We demand that Iran comply with all the demands of the Independent Kurdish Republic and surrender these criminals to face Russian courts and Russian justice! Only then will this conflict be over, only then will there be peace, Russia and the Independent Republic of Kurdistan will ensure it.'
This message was last edited by the player at 22:50, Mon 14 July 2014.

Actions for Saudi Arabia

Space: NA
Air: 3 veteran multi-role and 2 experienced multi-role in J23 ordered to keep the NFZ in I23 brings them into battle with the Iranian airforce units directed to defend I23, 2 Experienced Multi-role planes.
Total Attack 975
Total Defense: 302
Ratio is 975/302 = 3.22 rounded down to 3, so column 3:1 is used, Saudi and Iranian initiative advantages changes to die roll cancel out.

18:04, Today: Combat Cycle Ref rolled 1 using 1d10. I23 Air Saudi vs Iran.

Result 40/20

The following Saudi units are reduced to Reserve status
1 Veteran Multirole planes Squadrons

The following Iranian units are reduced to Reserve status
None

Naval: None
Ground: Forces moved from J23-Saudi Arabia to I22-Saudi Arabia :
    2 green armor brigades
    4 green mech brigades
    2 green artillery brigades
    3 experienced multi-role air units
    2 veteran multi-role air units
    2 green air support squadrons (AAT)
    2 green support helo squadrons (AAT)
This message was last edited by the player at 06:55, Sun 20 July 2014.

Space: None
Air: 2 Experienced Support Helo (Amphibious) move from I23 to I24
Naval: hex I23: Bandar-e Emam Khomeyni Sealift
Move from I23 to I24-Gwedar
2 Experienced Destroyer CD 2xReserve
3 Veteran Frigates Squadrons CD 3xReserve
2 Experienced Frigates Squadrons CD 3xReserve
1 Experienced Destroyer Squadrons (Amphibious Assault)  Squadrons CD 1xReserve

Ground
Move from I23 to I24-Gwedar
2 Experienced Mechanized Brigade (Amphibious)  -from Carriers
6 Experienced Mechanized Brigades (Amphibious)
3 Experienced Infantry Brigades
This message was last edited by the player at 06:55, Sun 20 July 2014.

Space: NA
Air:
Move from H20 to I23
3 Experienced Multi-role planes Squadrons CD 1xReserve

Naval: None

Ground:
Move from H20 to I23
3 Green Tank Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5) CD 3x Reserve
4 Green Artillery Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5) 4x Combat damage=Reserve status
10 Green Infantry Brigade (Military-Ground 7.5,) 10x Combat Damage=Reserve status
6 Veteran Infantry Brigade (Military-Ground 7.5, Airborne ability) 1x Combat Damage=Reserve status
5 Experienced Motorized Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5) CD 5x Reserve

Move from H22 to I23
1 Green Motorized Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)
2 Reserve Infantry Brigade (Military-Ground 7.5, Security ability)
1 Reserve Motorized Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)

Move from I22 to I23
2 Green Motorized Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)
2 Reserve Infantry Brigade (Military-Ground 7.5, Security ability)
5 Reserve Motorized Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)

Move from I24 to I23
2 Green Motorized Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5) 1x Combat Damage=Reserve status
2 Reserve Infantry Brigade (Military-Ground 7.5, Security ability)
4 Reserve Motorized Brigades (Military-Ground 7.5)

Space: None

Air: Forces in G18 attack Iranian forces in H22. No significant Iranian forces in H22 at this time. No meaningful attack occurs.

Naval: None

Ground: None

Space: None

Air: None

Naval: None

Ground:
Move from H19 to H20
10 Green Kurdish Infantry

Space: None
Air: None
Naval: None
Ground: None

Space: None
Air: None
Naval: None
Ground:
Move from I22 to H20
2 Veteran Motorized Brigades -Iraq

Space: None
Air: None
Naval: None
Ground:
Move from F12-Germany through F13-Poland, G16-Ukranie, G17-Russia, H19-Georgia to Armenia to H20-Iran Note: Delays and obstructions to free passage noted, particularity in Armenia but still able to get through in time
1 x elite Fallschirjäger brigade (from Eurocorps)
1 x experienced Feldsjäger brigade (from Eurocorps)(reserve this turn, as airlifted CCR says: an airlift would have required a transport unit in place, with sufficent range. There is none that I can see would qualifiy)
1 x veteran multi-role air squadrons (form Eurocorps)
2 x experienced multi-role air squadrons
1 x experienced suport (AAT) air aquadrons


Move from F12-Germany through F13-Poland, G16-Ukranie, G17-Russia, H19-Georgia to Armenia where they are delayed and unable to complete their full moves this Combat Cycle.
1 x veteran multi-role air squadrons (form Eurocorps)
1 x experienced multi-role air squadrons
1 x experienced suport (AAT) air aquadrons

Space: None
Air: None
Naval: None
Ground: None

This concludes combat for the second Combat Cycle of this War Round. Fairly quiet as far as combat goes, but I sense the rumbling of things moving in the politics behind the battles; the next Combat Cycle should be much more interesting.

I am going to need orders for what to do next soon but you are welcome to take the next week or so to decide amongst yourselves what you are going to do. As always your orders are expected to be in the format of:
-Which brigade/squadron sized units move to what hex.
-Using what path of hexes.
-Initiating an attack against which 'side', in which hex, with what units, using WMDs or not.
-Any special instruction relevant to the rule mechanics of the game.

In reply to Combat Cycle Ref (msg # 74):
GM says: Sorry for the delay...

Status going into combat cycle #3

Iraq
Iraq is in civil war along sectarian lines, following Syria down the meatgrinder.
http://images.nationmaster.com...iraq_ethnic_1978.jpg
The green (shia), orange (kurd) areas are stable while yellow (sunni) and mixed areas are experiencing ethnic cleansing and brigade level military action between factions. The Kurd – Sunni border is quiet. The government is fractioned with orders and contra orders going out, the central govt still control areas around Bagdad. The factions are Shia militia in south, Kurdish peshmerga in the north, government (sunni) forces centered on Bagdad and ISIS fanatic sunni islam controlling major parts of the country west of Fallujah, up to Mosul and down to the Saudi border. Large groups of refugees are coming into neighboring countries, mainly Saudi and Jordan.

Iran is going into civil war
The nationalist government is challenged by the IRGC and the moderates. In Teheran the factions are bickering in the parliament during the day and assassinating each other during the night.  The nationalists point the finger to IRGC as behind the WMDs. The IRGC is accusing the nationalists for the war, and the moderates for selling out Iranian Kurdistan. The moderates accuse both of them of being war mongers. The armed forces have stayed out of it so far but that is probably about to change. The nationalists just announced: ”We intend to join PROTO and hand over the IRGC generals responsible for the previous Tuberculosis outbreak in Russia”. The IRGC denies responsibility. The moderates want to get closer to the west but not wanting to appear as in their pocket, so are urging the western (and Russian) powers to stay their hand and not advance further into Iran.

Meanwhile in Turkey
Western Turkey is stabilising and the armed forces have mobilised. Some fear they are about to initiate an offensive to take back eastern Turkey/Kurdistan. Turkey is reapplying for EU membership and has more or less agreed to the German peace proposal except that they will not accept a referendum for a separate Kurdistan, saying: ”We are willing to negotiate extensive selfgovernance for the kurdish region but we cannot accept a loss of turkish land. The Kurds are readying their defences and refuse anything less than full independance. The French peacekeepers are nervously walking the line between them. Feeling a bit lonely after the rest of the NATO forces were invited to leave.

Russian and NATO troops to Kurdistan via Caucasus
Russian and NATO troops have started to move through the caucasus countries of Georgia, Azerbajan and Armenia. The Russian pressure have made the country of Georgia to ask that NATO put its application for membership on the fast track, fearing being eaten by Russia after Russia has pressured it to accept Russian troops and advisors.

Libya divided
Western Libya is full civil war, while eastern Libya is fairly stable under Italian/ENI control.

Egypt
No change from previous combat cycles...

Anything else? Questions?

I am back from traveling so it is time to get things restarted here! I have updated the file on the outcome of the fighting so far that is available from the group Yahoo site and the main game site.  NOte that the main game site also has updated listings on several nations in the conflict zone.

I am going to need orders for exactly what you want to do next by Aug 20, 2014 12:00 UTC. As always your orders are expected to be in the format of:
-Which brigade/squadron sized units move to what hex.
-Using what path of hexes.
-Initiating an attack against which 'side', in which hex, with what units, using WMDs or not.
-Any special instruction relevant to the rule mechanics of the game.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:52, Thu 14 Aug 2014.

In a bizarre news conference beamed live from a VIP transport plane of the Chinese Air Force that was crossing Mongolian airspace on the way to Russian airspace;  Lin Liheng, the Chinese Air Force Commander lately in charge of all Chinese air units in Iran, denounced the Chinese regime before she and all aboard were killed when the plane crashed. Lin was fleeing with her family and some of her staff, proclaiming that ongoing Chinese government oppression of her Christian faith had made her decide to mis-deploy certain military units and made sure key technical and code details were easily intercepted by Western intelligence services in the recent conflict in the Persian Gulf. Lin, with pride, said she did this in an attempt to make the atheist Communist party of China pay for all the evil that it had done.

Shortly after, all contact with the plane was lost and was later found to have impacted with the side of a mountain with all personal aboard lost. Adding to the mystery, Mongolian air traffic controllers have reported that the plane had turned around and was heading back to Chinese airspace when it fell off radar contact. This follows a week of massive shakeups in the Chinese hierarchy with the Admiral of the Chinese expeditionary fleet, the Ambassador to Iran and the secretary in charge of MidEastern relations and a few others either being arrested, shot while being arrested or found having committed suicide.

India expresses her deepest condolences to the families of all those who have lost their lives due to the war and expresses concern that the aftermath of the war is becoming bloodier than the war itself.

India also welcomes Iran as a probationary member of PROTO (assuming all internal PROTO voting goes as planned).

Errrr... what?

Have Iran handed over those they are required to under the most recent UN Sec Council Resolution?

Nor has the Kurdish question been settled with Iran, surely accepting Iran as a member of PROTO whilst these matters are still outstanding seems foolish and shortsighted. How can you support Iran given these matters are outstanding?

In reply to UK (msg # 79):

To become a probationary member of PROTO, Iran agreed to (among other things) recognize Kurdistan and hand over those responsible for the WMD attacks (Revolutionary Guard) to Russia.  This deal was made with the consent of UN Security Council Member Russia.  The UN resolution happened after the PROTO deal was brokered, causing some confusion.  In any case, if Iran still wants PROTO membership, they need to obey the UN Resolution (including handing over WMDs).

Kurdish/Iranian borders must be negotiated in good faith, being fair to both sides, and not used to punish Iran.  India has offered to help Iran eliminate the troublesome Revolutionary Guard if they make peace with the moderates.  PROTO assistance in this dire time can help Iran from becoming another mess of a civil war in a region which already has too many.

Is this acceptable to the international community?

GM says: No they have not. One faction has hinted that it MIGHT be willing to do so, but it has NOT happened. Your intelligence service deems the likelyhood small that it will happen because that faction is no longer in enough control to do so.

GM says: One faction wanted PROTO membership but that faction no longer has monopoly on power, making it less of a sure thing (see above).

Hence, probationary PROTO status.  They must do these things to become an actual PROTO member.  An offer from India is on the table to help them, but they have yet to respond.

In reply to Brazil (msg # 83):

NEWS (post CC#2)

Isfahan, Iran: Al-Jazeera and Press Trust of India (PTI) reporting:

Joint statement from Iranian president (GM: nationalist faction, legally elected), together with the leader of the moderate faction, the Indian ambassador and the UN high representative:

Iranian President says: We stand here today together in peace pronouncing the first steps to a new era. There has been enough bloodshed. Iran will comply with the UN resolution. We have made peace between nationalists and moderates. Our WMDs are destroyed, we will close our WMDs factories and invite UN inspectors. We have arrested some of the IRGC leadership responsible for the WMD attacks and the recent war and will turn over these to India for transport to the ICC in Hague. We have sent an emissary to Kurdistan to initiate a transition.

The Indian ambassador says:"India is happy to have negotiated this deal so that peace will prevail. Indian forces will take charge of the IRGC prisoners and assist the legally elected government of Iran to capture the other criminals and stabilise the country. As we speak several Indian planes carrying much needed humanitarian aid are approaching Iranian airspace where NATO and allies still have a NoFlyZone in effect. We ask that you let our planes through. These will be followed by 2 bde Indian airborne forces and 6 mech brigades as soon as they can be ready."

UN high representative says: It looks like the UN resolution will be fulfilled without any more bloodshed. I am officially asking UK, who is in charge of implementing the resolution, to stand down, for now, in light of this development.

END NEWS

Should we asume ISIS is acting as its real world counterpart (forcing conversions under death threat, killing anyone that opposes them or does not convert, destoying Jonah's mausuleum and mosques, etc...)?

The UK, and I am sure the international community at large, welcome this news. Forces will remain in the area for a short while until the terms of the resolution have been met but all active operations are immediately suspended.

GM says: Yes!

Once again, several questions:

Will the modifications in rules v20140606 affect CC3?

Will initiative be rolled again or we go with what was in previous CCs?

If the latter, how will that afect the Caliphate (what initiative it has and what advantages has it bought with it)?
This message was last edited by the player at 11:48, Tue 19 Aug 2014.

In reply to Saudi Arabia (msg # 88):

Quick question, does Iraq want any assistance from us, also, is the government of Syria OK with US, UK and german forces being used to help them out as they have requested UN aid in repelling the caliphate

GM says: Different factions within the Iraq govt say different things, but your intelligence service says Saudi is cooperating with Iraqi forces, so even if you don´t get an official answer in practice they would welcome it.

Syrian govt says: US, UK, Germany and any other country are welcome to fight the rebels, under a UN flag, as per the UN resolution, as long as it is understood that the Syrian govt is the rightful ruler of Syria, the Syrian country will keep its borders after the insurgents have been vanquished and that foreign forces will leave when asked by the Syrian govt.

Attention. Attention. There will now be an unscheduled faith change.

To fill a loophole [as is, one player could legally keep a War Round going indefinitely by refusing to agree that the WR is over thus allowing them to continuously keep attacking an enemy] I am going to arbitrarily end this War Round#1 and declare what was to be CC#3ofWR#1 to be CC#1ofWR#2. I think we can all agree that quite enough happened so far in WR#1 anyways to have filled up a whole month. For everyone this means almost nothing so we should be ok there, but do remember to subtract 1 Supply point from your reserve for every unit that has attacked.

Which brings us to our next 'change-without-a-difference', for reasons of game balance I will have to double everyone's reserve of Supply units, it was ridiculously too low, except for Iran which has been involved in several rounds of combat earlier with the Kurds which would have eaten into their reserve.

If Iran wants to consider themselves at 'War Footing' (sec 6.8) then it is fine with me, but the only change I will allow at this point is a doubling of available Supply units.

>Will the modifications in rules v20140606 affect CC3?
No. I am trying very hard just to use v20140503 for this combat, I think making significant rule changes in middle of a fight is bad. Does not mean that where there is a question I might rule in ways that harmonize with v20140606; just we are not going to go there officially.

>Will initiative be rolled again or we go with what was in previous CCs?
With things turning to the Caliphate I suppose there is some good reason to reroll initiative, but I just want to get this war and whole Turn over with so, NO. I will find a place for the Caliphate somewhere.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:07, Wed 20 Aug 2014.

"Ding", Round 2!


Iran says: No thanks.


My name is GM and I support this message.

While I agree with your motives and I am as much wanting to finish this turn as everyone, see that this deprives Saudi Arabia of any advantage due to TLs, MR, air, etc. against the Caliphate and makes any Saudi intervention useless as I have not enough initiative points to reveal a single stealthy unit.

In reply to Saudi Arabia (msg # 93):

A MR rank 4 nation is effectively just another name for an insugancy in progress. You can take out the Caliphat's regular forces easily enough,but eliminating evey last stealth unit and keeping them from regenerating eg pacifying the insurgency is going to take us well into the 2030 Turn anyways.

That's why I've been advocating since military rules began to be discussed to treat insurgencies aside from regular combats.

But well, let's try to finish this turn at last...

Initially I only used the detailed combat rules as a way of stress testing them, but that is done now and I am happy with what I have learned. This means it is time to kick this war into a higher gear (we have been at this for what now, ... 4 months?!) so it is time to start introducing the rules which are more appropriate to combat on Core Worlds, the Quick Combat rules and give them a test too. Given what I expect of what is going to happen this round it should not be a problem, combat is bound to be more diffuse and less set to specific moves. For the moment we are going to pretend that War Rounds and rounds in Quick combat are the same.

-----------------------------------------

Actions for Saudi Arabia

WR#2 Saudi Arabia attacks Islamic Caliphate with
1 Green armor
4 Green mech brigades
4 vet MR
5 exp MR

Mil Rank 3 nation. Final Combat Strength is 869

defender is Islamic Caliphate
Hex H19
1 Reserve Tank Brigade (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)
1 Reserve Mechanized Brigade (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)
3 Green Motorized Brigades (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)
10 Reserve Infantry Brigades (Stealth Ability, various militia)
1 Green Artillery Brigades (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)
2 Green SAM Brigades (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)
1 Reserve IRBM squadron (ex-Syrian unit)

Hex I22
4 Green Infantry Brigades (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)
10 Reserve Infantry Brigades (Stealth Ability, various militia)

Mil Rank 4 nation. WMDs are used. Final Combat Strength is 698

Odds are 869/698 = 1.24 which becomes 1:1

17:52, Today: Combat Cycle Ref rolled 2 using 1d10. WR#2 Saudi Arabia attacks Islamic Caliphate.

Results: 80% loss to the Attacker, reduced to 60%, 0% to defender

Islamic Caliphate says: Allah has punished the faithless!!!! Praise be to Allah!!!

CCR says: ...and now I need to stop here to think about how this relates to units damaged and units destroyed. See, I told you I needed to test the Quick Combat rules.

Losses
Saudi Arabia
1 Green armor        1xCD Reserve
4 Green mech brigades  2xCD Reserve
4 vet MR            2xCD Reserve
5 exp MR            3xCD Reserve
This message was last edited by the player at 22:56, Sun 31 Aug 2014.

In reply to Combat Cycle Ref (msg # 96):

Actions for China
1 Experienced Support planes squadron (CCC) CD 1x Reserve
4 Veteran Multirole planes Squadrons CD 4xReserve
10 Experienced Multirole planes Squadrons CD 10xReserve
6 Experienced Support planes squadrons (Transport) CD 6x Reserve
Move from H20 to H22

Shouldn't this be said before orders were given?

Rules change a lot in both cases, and what was an air attack against only the forces in I22 (and with the advantages of being air attack), followed by the land attack agains the remainders of forces in I22 is now an attack against the full Caliphate army without the advantage of air units nor from better quality units, and using only a small part of my forces.

Not even the all units in the area which could reasonably be involved, as rules say, as those would have included (at least) the forces in I22 (moved there in CC2, as per msg #65), that have not been counted and the Saudi reserve units (quality as such not being counted in quick wars) in I21-I22 and the green MR and support air units, all of which could reasonably be involved (IMO).

In resume: this has turned what was a feasible plan agains the troops in I22 and air raids against H19 into a suicide attack against the full force of the Caliphate.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:26, Sat 23 Aug 2014.

In reply to Saudi Arabia (msg # 98):

And deprived the Caliphate of its greatest weaoon, the effect of their stealth units. And made them all subject to the divisor of a 4MR nation. And the use of the detailed rules always was the temporary exception, an experiment at my pleasure which has ended and returned to the published rules. And with a roll of 2 for your attack it was going to suck for you no matter which section of rules were used.

But most of all, you brought along a shockingly tiny force for your grand invasion of a physically small nation hoping to take advantage of the quirks in the division of our maps and turn sequences to try and take on your enemy in easily manageable  pieces. The Caliphate is not a potted plant, there are no time locked gates between hex H19 and H20, the Caliphate can and will react, and in the next round so can you too....
This message was last edited by the player at 01:34, Sat 23 Aug 2014.

This may be true, but my complain is that I was not warned those will be the rules. As rules stood, the air combat phase, with Saudi high quality air against the mainly low quality units without air defense would have changed a lot, and after that ther would have been the land combat. So a ningle roll of 2 would not have been so much damaging (and while roling twice in a roll is possible, is not expected).



In fact the force brought along was greater, more than double in land forces:



But it seems most of the land forces sent did not enter in the definition for could reasonably be involved.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:15, Fri 29 Aug 2014.

As rules stood when I planed it, my numbers were:

Air phase:

Hex I22:

Saudi 2 vet + 2 exp air units: 890

ISIS:  4 green infantry 110 (reduced to 27 as per 12.9) even if the gerrillas joined, they would add 55 CP, for a total of 165 (reduced to 41 per rule 12.9)
Odds: 890:41 = 21.7, so table would have been 7:1, and the 2 rolled would have meant 10/100, as you say, with a roll of 2 for your attack it was going to suck for you no matter which section of rules were used.

Should I follow with the land phase, where the forces sent against re remans would have been 1334 CP (and even in only the units you sent to combat woyuld have been, there would have summed 682 aagainst the remainders of the ISIS forces)?

The air stike in J19 was a little more risky, as the 2 vet + 3 exp MR air units (1068 CP) would have to confront 329 (164 when 12.9 is applied, as there were SAM) if the gerrillas hide or 383 (178) if the guerrillas fought, just a mere 2:1 (where a roll of 2 would have meant 40:20, so no so disastrous when counting losses)

EDIT: 1068 CP against the 178 (after 12.9 is applied) would have been 6:1, and the roll of 2 would have given a reuslt of 20/100. END EDIT



As shown above, with the rules I assumed they will be used, this shockingly tiny force was in fact an overwhelming one. But this change of rules have reduced my forces (as they have a divisor of 3, instead of 2 for green, 1 for experienced and a multiplier of 1.5 for veteran) while augmented the Capiphate ones (as all its reserve forces have a divisor of 4 instead of the usual 10).

And now, as told to you'll by email, I don't know when I will connect again for some (I hope few) days (or at best I will sporadically). Don't think I took my ball and went home, it's just a router problem I hope to be fixed ASAP (but I'll be surprised if before monday or thuesday).
This message was last edited by the player at 10:21, Fri 29 Aug 2014.

I’m back, after the technical service has changed my router at last.

First of all, let me apologize if my tome was a little harsh last posts, but I wanted to make my complains before the resolution keep going and it was more difficult to fix things (as I still fully believe they must), and that meant I didn’t expect to calm myself down, something I usually try to avoid.

Now that I’ve calmed down, time to explain myself:

I don’t complain about the turn being resolved according 12.10, as I agree we must move on. You say we already in this turn for 4 months, and to this you should add the time the game was on stand-by, making it more than 2 years now. I can even accept the error in seeing the forces Saudi Arabia sent (while this would have needed to be fixed, as they were over half the ground forces, and precisely those already in position)

What I did complain is not having told about it and allowed to calculate things accordingly, assuming that the same forces would have been used in both kinds of war.

Things vary a lot from one kind of war to the other, and forces adequate to regular war are not for quick war, as in the first case it pays to send only your best forces, while in the second case low quality forces count the same than elite ones (for the same country).

Examples of the effects:

• While each veteran air squadron was worth 267 CP and a green tank brigade 148 CP with the combat rules used, with 12.10 they are worth 59 and 99 respectively, a loss of about 33% of force for the tanks and 78% for the air unit (and that’s not counting 12.9 effect in the latter case). Net effect is that combat power for units sent (as orders were given,so counting forgotten units)) changed from 1958 CPs from air units  and 1334 from ground units to a total 12.10 CP of 1423 (about 57% of reduction in combat power).
• OTOH, for ISIS, a reserve infantry brigade that was worth 6 CP, is now worth 14 (and again, 12.9 does not affect it), while its reserve tank brigade was worth 28 CP and is now worth 68. It’s true that its green units are also reduced to about 50% their strength, there are few of them, and when 12.9 is not applied in the air phase, this is more than overcome. Its net effect is raising ISIS combat power from about 550 to about 700 (about 27% increase in CP, aside of voiding 12.9).

Examples of decisions taken assuming combat would be with the rules used to then:

• I decided not to send the NG (reserve) mech forces because they were not needed and they only added 18 CP per brigade (3*7.7^2*0.1), while a regular forces (green) mech unit added 89 (3*7.7^2*0.5), and the NG units would be lost for good if damaged, while the regulars damaged to reserve. With 12.10, each mech unit (regardless of the individual quality) adds 59 CP. Same with the green air units, as they were not needed (they could have helped in the air strike against H19, but were out of range) and would only had raised casualties.
• Likewise, I didn’t send the armor brigades in the southern border because, as rules stood, there were enough forces for the land offensive, after air units softened the enemy.
• After agreeing with the Kurds and Iraqis to fight together (while probably not with all their forces), I asked them to keep defensive positions, as forces seemed adequate and this would only had raised losses, should there be any.

With 12.10, all of this is void. Even so, the forces sent would have been a 2:1 (should some of them have not been forgotten), but as I don’t like to attack with less than 3:1, all armor and most NG mech would have been sent, as would green air units (both, MR and support). That would have given me nearly 2300 CP (over the 3:1 looked for), and with addition of Iraqi and Kurd forces (they have, for 12.10 numbers, over 1600 and 450 CP respectively), even in only a 25% of them participated, that would have reached a 4:1 , if more were sent, a 5:1 could not be ruled out. So, even with the roll of 2, result would have been 20/60 or 20/80 (reduced to 20/60 because 12.10 limitation). Even should I go alone (neither Iraqi nor Kurd support), with a 3:1 it would have meant a 20/20. So, even with this 2 in the roll, the attack would not have sucked for me.


And, as I am already complaining, the other thing I complain (in more general terms) is that this turn is becoming too much a mess, with things happening far quicker than we’re allowed to react. Within the time ISIS has raised a whole army comparable in size to the German Herr (Landwehr included), we cannot raise a single unit.

Things became hotter when we have been told to use our reaction PAs. So we had none left, and out only possibilities were to resort to direct military action or to indebt ourselves (at 100% interest to be paid next turn) and jeopardize next turn actions. I know events may develop quite fast, but also the governments (even the EU, known for its slow pace) react, not waiting for the “next turn” to do so. If we are so limited and slowed, so must be the events or the game becomes a true mess where  we can do little more than watching and sending troops, and any political action to avoid war will jeopardize next budget and take the game to a stand still were the players just react to events.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:36, Mon 01 June 2015.

GM says: I understand your frustration about the switch. In this case I am afraid I am responsible. I support Kelvin´s decisions as CCR while I recognise that I need to state which rules are applied. In the future I will endevour to avoid similar situations from occuring.


Good point.

Again, my fault.


Another good point. It is a game and the rules are not perfect, unlike the GM. Kelvin is working tirelessly on them and sometimes mistakes are made in my interpretation of the rules. For now the rules will not be changed (unless Kelvin wants it) but we shall think on how to minimize the problem. Proposals are welcome.

EDIT:
Suggestion to minimize risk of being PAs short:
In the beginning of the 2030 round I will flag a few areas that might be hotspots during the round so that you may spend a PA in your budget if you wish.

Example:
Issues going into 2030
1)North Korea. Tension is at an all time high.
2)Iran is in shambles with no clear way ahead.
3)Egypt, Libya...
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:24, Wed 27 Aug 2014.

Probabaly balme is for eagerness to finish the turn that made Kelvin to hurry and not tell us about the use of 12.10. I guess that's too what made him fail to remember about the Saudi units already in place.

In any case, the idea of the reinforcements going to combat while the troops already in place stay quiet (I guess watching camel races) seems quite odd to me...



I blame for that the multiple GM changes this turn have had, each one having to cope with the previous one decisions (and probably with a diferent point of view).



Do you ask me for even more proposals/suggestions?

I think I feel even here in Barcelona Kelvin's trembling at the idea, after patiently reading my mails full of them at every rules edition ;). I can swear you what you see in the fórum is only the iceberg top (to Kelvin suffering)...



Yes, that's a good idea, until some player produces a unexpected (for the others and the GM) crisis with his PAs...
This message was last edited by the player at 18:05, Wed 27 Aug 2014.

Ok, I will do that so hold off on the proposals for now :)

>>If we are so limited and slowed, so must be the events or the game becomes a true mess
>>where  we can do little more than watching and sending troops, and any political action to
>>avoid war will jeopardize next budget and take the game to a stand still were the players
>>just react to events.

You have misunderstood, the only problem here is to the player’s dreams of easy galactic domination.  This is a game with no material and very little immaterial rewards, so in addition to the joys of role playing the fun of this game comes from the struggle, the joy of battling through horrible odds on the way to a well-earned victory. If I as a GM do not stress you out over what could be going on than I am just not doing my job. A GM needs make you afraid over what *could* happen so you can enjoy that fear. Did you prepare enough for the storm that might happen? …Are you sure? A GM needs to make you fear the dark so you can savor each and every single step forward.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:56, Wed 27 Aug 2014.

No easy galactic domination wanted, but aside from its role playing part this game is intended to be a strategic one too (or so I thought), and means to plan are needed.



And if we find ourselves in a mere spectator role, nearly unable even to react, neither is the GM doing a good job...



And does any poreparation make any difference when a change in the way to resolve it makes all your work and numbers senseless and half of your troops stay watching camel races instead of obeying orders?

Does any preparation make any difference when things become hot when you were told to commit your reserves (reaction PA)?

I guess this too long turn has taxed everyone patience and, as told, i blame the eager to finish it for most of the errors done.



So we're playing Call of Cthulhu?

In reply to Saudi Arabia (msg # 107):

You both have valid points. This is a collective endeavour and there is room for both. Ofcourse you both know this but please keep in mind we are still fieldtesting the rules, the turn is looong and frustration is creeping in, and the game will never be as "real" as we want. The main goal is to have fun. More friction will come but every turn we will learn and become better and the game will flow better.

EDIT: Combat Cycle Ref please proceed at your conveniance.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:59, Thu 28 Aug 2014.

To allow for all of this to be discussed without clogging this thread (and so allowing for the game to keep going), I oppened a thread for it in the game forum. I guess the discussion and the game can run in parallel.

Sorry for the delay, I have been GMing a game of Doctor Who Adventures in Time and Space the RPG. Speaking of which ....Geronimo!!!!

-----------------------------------------

Actions for Russia

WR#2 Russia move from G17 Russia through H19 Georgia, H19 Kurdistan Republic H19 Islamic Caliphate and attacks Islamic Caliphate with
1 Elite Mechanized Brigade (Military-Ground tech 8.4, BMP-4)
6 Veteran Mechanized Brigade (Military-Ground tech 8.4, BMP-4)
2 Green Mechanized Brigade (Military-Ground tech 8.4, BMP-4)
7 Experienced Artillery Brigade (Military-Ground tech 8.4, Various)
10 Experienced Infantry Brigades (Military-Ground tech 8.4, Sol Earth hex G24 17!!!, Security ability, Internal Affairs troops)
From G17 supported by
7 Experienced Multi-role Plane Squadrons (Military-Air tech 8.6, T-50)

Mil Rank 2 nation. Final Combat Strength is 2787

Defender is Islamic Caliphate
1 Reserve Tank Brigade (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)
1 Reserve Mechanized Brigade (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)
3 Green Motorized Brigades (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)
10 Reserve Infantry Brigades (Stealth Ability, various militia)
1 Green Artillery Brigades (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)
2 Green SAM Brigades (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)
1 Reserve IRBM squadron (ex-Syrian unit)
4 Green Infantry Brigades (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)
10 Reserve Infantry Brigades (Stealth Ability, various militia)

Mil Rank 4 nation. WMDs are used. Final Combat Strength is 698

Odds are 2787/698 = 3.9 which becomes 3:1

15:49, Today: Combat Cycle Ref rolled 1 using 1d10. WR#2 Russia attacks Islamic Caliphate.

Results: 40% loss to the Attacker, 20% to defender

Islamic Caliphate says: Allah rewards the faithful!
Russia says: It is soooo on!

----------------------------------------
Hex G18 5 Experienced Multi-role Plane Squadrons (T-50)   enforcing NFZ in H22
        5 Experienced Multi-role Plane Squadrons (Kazakhstan/Turkmenistan/Uzbekistan planes), enforcing NFZ in H22

---------------------------------------

Russia and Syria attack Syrian insurgents
Russia from H19 Tartus Syria
3 Experienced Multi-role Plane Squadrons (T-50)
              2 Veteran Mechanized Brigade (BMP-4)
with
Syria
5 Green Tank Brigades
5 Green Mechanized Brigades
5 Green Motorized Brigades
10 Green Infantry Brigades
10 Reserve Infantry Brigades (Stealth Ability, various militias)
4 Green Infantry Brigades (Security Ability)
1 Green Artillery Brigades
4 Green SAM Brigades
8 Green Multi-role planes squadrons
5 Green Multi-role Helicopter squadrons
4 Green IRBM squadrons

Mil Rank 3 nation. WMDs are used. Final Combat Strength is 2996


Defender is Syrian Rebels
30 Reserve Infantry Brigades (Stealth Ability, various militia forces)
3   Green Motorized Brigades (ex-Syrian Army)
6   Green Mechanized Brigades (ex-Syrian Army)
1   Green Artillery Brigades (ex-Syrian Army)
2   Reserve SAM Brigades (ex-Syrian Army)


Mil Rank 4 nation. WMDs are used. Final Combat Strength is 689

Odds are 2996/689 = 4.3 which becomes 4:1

16:36, Today: Combat Cycle Ref rolled 2 using 1d10 with rolls of 2. Russia and Syria attack Syrian insurgents.

Results: 20% loss to the Attacker, 60% to defender

Losses
Russia
1 Elite Mechanized Brigade
6 Veteran Mechanized Brigade    4xCD Reserve
2 Green Mechanized Brigade     2xCD Reserve
7 Experienced Artillery Brigade
10 Experienced Infantry Brigades (Sol Earth hex G24 17!!!, Security ability, Internal Affairs troops)    4xCD Reserve
7 Experienced Multi-role Plane Squadrons     3xCD Reserve

Caliphate
1 Reserve Tank Brigade (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)
1 Reserve Mechanized Brigade (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)
3 Green Motorized Brigades (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)   3xCD Reserve
10 Reserve Infantry Brigades (Stealth Ability, various militia)
1 Green Artillery Brigades (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)
2 Green SAM Brigades (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)   2xCD Reserve
1 Reserve IRBM squadron (ex-Syrian unit)
4 Green Infantry Brigades (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)   3xCD Reserve
10 Reserve Infantry Brigades (Stealth Ability, various militia)



-------------------------------------------

Move from E13 Russia through F15 Russia, G17 Russia, H20 Azerbaijan, H20 Kurdistan Republic H20 Iran
11 Veteran Mechanized Brigade (Military-Ground tech 8.4, BMP-4)
8 Experienced Infantry Brigades (Military-Ground tech 8.4, Sol Earth hex G24 17!!!, Security ability, Internal Affairs troops)

...but before they can get that far the Azerbaijanis attack
This message was last edited by the player at 23:04, Sun 31 Aug 2014.

No worries.

This message was deleted by the player at 11:36, Fri 29 Aug 2014.

Let's see if I undertood well the rules and thier effects:


from turn resolution



Assuming all of this happens in ISIS territory (as I flatly refuse to believe Saudi tropos in te border kept watching camel races while gases were falling upon them), and understanding that ISIS CP are about 68 CP of WMD weapons and 630 (the remainder) of conventiona, weapons, does that mean ISIS GDP is reduced by about 12% (about 7% for WMD, about 2% for the rest of ISIS forces and about 7% for Saudi ones)?
Or as only the defender (not the attacker) used WMD they do not count for GDP reduction (so reducing it by only the 3% for the Saudi forces)?
(in any case is usually seen as a bad idea to use WMD in your own territory)




Following the reasoning above, the remaining 88% ISIS GDP would be reduced by about 20% (again about 7% for WMD, about 2% for the rest of ISIS forces and 11% for the Russian), so leaving it to about 70% it was in the preceding Combat round...

If only the attacking forces so damage GDP, the reduction would be 11% of the (already reduced to 97%) GDP, leaving ISIS with a GDP equivalent to about 86% it was



As Syria used WMD with their artillery and IRBMs, that means about 206 of their CP are WMD tipped (so the emaining 2790 Cp are conventional), while rebels use about 42 WMD CP and the remainder 647 are conventional. So, again, does that mean that Syrian GDP (or at least those controlled by the insurgents, though in this case he whole country could be affected) is reduced by 37%?
And see that in this case even if the defending CP are discarded, the reduction would be of about  31%).

And if the effect in pop is comparable to that on colonies (not told about in rules, as shown above), Syria would have lost about 31-37 pop (so over 150000 people) ...
This message was last updated by the player at 16:39, Mon 01 Sept 2014.

Turkey says: H19 Kurdistan Republic? There is no such thing. You mean eastern Turkey! Russian troops are not welcome in Turkey! Russia say you have NATO consent for this!? We should think not! From Turkey to UK, Germany, USA: Say it aint so! Turkey is being invaded by Russia or Turkey has been betrayed by it´s "allies" in NATO.

GM to all: Russia is moving troops from Georgia, inside Turkey aka Turkish Kurdistan area to Islamic Caliphate (aka Iraq/Syria).

Azerbaijan attack Russia

Attacker is Azerbaijan
3 veteran motor inf bde
10 experienced motor inf bde
10 green motor inf bde
11 reserve inf bde
2 exp artillery bde
2 exp SAMs
3 green multirole heli
1 exp multirole heli
1 exp multirole planes
2 green multirole plane
2 green patrol boat squads

Mil Rank 3 nation. Mil tech 7.9 Final Combat Strength is 1269


Defender is Russia
11 Veteran Mechanized Brigade (Military-Ground tech 8.4, BMP-4)
8 Experienced Infantry Brigades (Military-Ground tech 8.4, Sol Earth hex G24 17!!!, Security ability, Internal Affairs troops)


Mil Rank 2 nation. Mil tech 8.4 Final Combat Strength is 1446

Odds are 1269/1449 = 0.877 which becomes 1:1.5 Azerbaijan gets 1 column shift to the right as they are ambushing with some surprise and the Russians are not setup for immediate combat. Final odds are 1:1

22:59, Today: Combat Cycle Ref rolled 6 using 1d10. Azerbaijan attack Russia.

Results: 40% loss to the Attacker, 20% to defender

Losses
Azerbaijan
3 veteran motor inf bde        1xCD Reserve
10 experienced motor inf bde   6xCD Reserve
10 green motor inf bde         6xCD Reserve
11 reserve inf bde
2 exp artillery bde
2 exp SAMs
3 green multirole heli         3xCD Reserve
1 exp multirole heli           1xCD Reserve
1 exp multirole planes
2 green multirole plane        1xCD Reserve
2 green patrol boat squads

Russia
11 Veteran Mechanized Brigade (BMP-4)   2xCD Reserve
8 Experienced Infantry Brigades (Security ability, Internal Affairs troops)  2xCD Reserve

King Khalid Military City; Saudi Arabia:

The Saudi Ministry of Defense has confirmed today the shooting of the general of the northern zone, along with those of the first corps and 2 division generals under accusation of treason and sympathizing with the enemy.

According Saudi military sources, they have been found guilty of the disaster against the Caliphate when they ordered the follow up troops for the attack to hold on and not to intervene. The same sources tell that they had grudges with Iraq since Desert Storm in 1991, and sympathized with what ISIS is doing there, so, when orders to attack ISIS were received, they were fully ignored, even when receiving the plea of their comrades that obeyed them.

Only the disobeying from some lower echelon officers allowed the attacking troops return to Saudi Arabia, as they covered the retreat of the battered troops that obeyed and spearheaded in the offensive.

Rumor is that a severe purge of the higher ranks of the Saudi Army is being done as consequence of the disaster, while younger officers (many of them US or UK trained, and supposedly more professional and aggressive) are raised to command.

In reply to Germany (msg # 113):

Keeping on my own educational study of the effects of war according the rules:

Losses:

Saudi losses (according Msg#96)

869 x 60% = 521

Damaged units

• 1 armor brigade: 5 x 7.7² /3 = 99
• 2 Mech brig: 3 x 7.7² /3 = 59 x 2 = 118
• 5 MR squadrons: 5 x 3 x 7.7² /3 = 59 x 5 = 295

Totals = 512.

Russian losses against Caliphate (according Msg#110):

2787 * 40% = 1115

Damaged units:

• 6 x mech brigade: 3 x 8.5²/2= 108 x 6 = 648
• 4 x inf brigades: 1 x 8.5²/2= 36 x 4 = 144
• 3 x multi-role squadrons: 3 x 8.5²/2= 108 x 3 = 324

Totals: 1116 (1 point over losses ??)

Caliphate losses (according Msg#110 too):

698 X 0.2 = 140

Damaged units:

• 3 x mot brigades: 1 x 7.4²/4= 14 x 3 = 42
• 2 x SAM batteries: 2 x 7.4²/4= 27 x 2 = 54
• 3 x Inf brigades: 1 x 7.4²/4= 14 x 3 = 42

Totals: 138.

So, I understand armor is ignored when assigning losses according 12.10. Am I right on it?

See that this is not explicited in the rules:



EDIT:

Also, as I understand rules, losses should not be applied until the end of the War Round, as if NATO attacked now ISIS, ISIS combat power should be reduced by 20%, but its Green units should still be so when assingning any losses NATO could inflict, while as it's now, ISIS combat power would be full (as, according 12.10 the fact some units are CD to reserve does not affect), but those same units would be reserve (so, when applying damage they could be destroyed, instead of being CDed).

Also, should ISIS counteratttack Saudi troops, if losses have been already applied, the Saudis would defend with full power (as no units have been destroyed), while, according 12.10 their CP should be reduced by the 60% losses (but probably other Saudi units in the hex and the Green air units in adjacent hexes could help in defense, so making ISIS attack suicide).

So, did I understand rules right?

END EDIT

NOTE: not complaining nor judging, just trying to better understand them (after all, you pointed they need to be tested)
This message was last edited by the player at 17:55, Mon 01 Sept 2014.

Gremany condemns the attack to UN troops (regardless their nationality) and requires Azerbaijan to allow free way for UN forces and supplies, as well as asks Russia not to turn this in a war that would only divert ressources to the benefit of our common enemies.

Likewise, Germany offers to deploy interposition forces (Fallschirmjägers) in Azerbaijan to keep the supply route, avoid further conflicto and act as witness of any provocation by any side, like German Feldjägers are doing in Georgia.

Azerbaijan says: What will the Fallschirmjäger do; observe while russia occupies azerbaijan? We will not sacrifise our freedom just because Russias occupation forces wave a blue flag. If you (Germany/NATO) guarantee our sovereignty and escort the Russians through fine, otherwise we fight!
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:52, Tue 02 Sept 2014.

This blue flag makes them UN troops, not Russia ones, and they were not occupying anything (nor even ready for combat as has been seen) they were just passing under UN spansorship when ambushed (hardly can this be said an occupation).

We understand suspicacions have arised, but the attack has hampered the whole UN opperation. This is a bad missunderstanding that may deestabilize the whole region even more that it's aleady.

So Germany asks both sides to stop fighting and resume UN opperation, while investigating (if needed) what exactly happened. As said before, a war in Azerbaijan would only profit ISIS by depriving UN from Russian support and Azerbaijani supply lines.



That's what Germany was suggesting to do with our Fallschirmjäger, if Russia agrees they will deploy along the route for the Russian troops and supplies to pass and avoid further conflict, if we're on time to stop it.

They will also avoid (to their best capabilities) provocations for either side or act as witness of any that arises.

Agreed - NATO forces will be more than happy to join with our Russian counterparts who are proceeding to assist in a UN mandated mission.

NATO sees no reason to believe that Russia in indeed attempting to invade Azerbaijan and calls for calm.

Since Germany has offered to deploy units to join and escort Russian UN forces though Azerbaijan we feel this would be the best course of action - we call on both sides to restrain themselves and withdraw from any combat and to avoid any provocation

We will extend a guarantee of sovereignty to the Azerbaijani government - We will do this to calm the situation, not out of any belief it is necessary. We have no fear that Russia will act in any way other than as a civilized and honorable member of the international community, as they have consistently for decades.

They don´t behave like UN troops. Do they have a UN mandate to pillage and kidnap people?

Please investigate.

Let there be no mistake. Germany/NATO must publicly state that it guarantees Azerbaijans independence and will see that every Russian soldier leave the country after this troop movement to Iran. If so, then Azerbaijan forces will withdraw leaving a corridor from Russia to Iran.

Ok agreed.

No, they don't have the right to do so, but it seems there have een more a matter of discipline problems than orders received. At most, as we see it, Russia may be accused to have discipline problems among their tropos (but who doesn't in all this mess?).



Germany suggests a tree way investigation by Russians, Azerbaijainis and EU/NATO/OECD members for all the incidents occurred.



Right now both sides claim they have been victims of an unprovoked attack, and both sides have a point on it. The Russians have perhaps not been too polite (but at the speed things are developed this seems nearly unavoidable, and we're not the ones to throw the first stone, after the incidents we had with Turkey and Iraq), and Azerbaijan has overreacted by ambushing what was a comboy not deployed for combat (something that, in German opinion, proves they were not invading, as they are not so stupid as to invade in march formation).

That's the big missunderstunding we told about, and we ask both sides to refrain making decisions they can regreat latter due to the hot situation. We have had more than enough of this in this crisis and now we're facing such a mess.

Now it's time to try to defuse the whole mess, and that begins for not fighting what should be allies, thinking twice before acting and trying to trust one another for the best of all of us and the whole world.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:31, Tue 02 Sept 2014.

>(after all, you pointed they need to be tested)
Oh I know. Unlike the detailed rules this is the first time we have ever tried the Quick Combat rules, I see lots and lots of things I need to fix, but we are stuck with the rules that we have for now.
---------------------------------------------------------------
NATO attack Caliphate

Attacker is NATO
NATO
1 Veteran Bomber Squadrons (longrange)   UK
1 veteran Multirole plane Squadrons (Eurofighter) UK
1 elite multirole plane squad (Tornado) UK
3 Naval Veteran Multirole Plane Squadrons USA

1 elite Inf Bde (stealth, airborne, amphibious, SAS/SBS/SRR) –Iran UK
1 elite Inf Bde (stealth, airborne, amphibious, SAS/SBS/SRR) –Iran UK
1 Elite Mechanized Brigade  -Jordan USA
2 Marine Elite Mechanized Brigades –Iran USA
1 Elite Armored Brigade–Iran  USA
1 Elite Mechanized Brigade–Iran USA
2 Vet Armor Brigades  Germany
1 Vet mech Brigade  Germany
1 Vet SPG (art) brigade  Germany

Mil Rank 1 nation. Mil tech 8.5 Final Combat Strength is 3901

Defender is Islamic Caliphate

1 Reserve Tank Brigade (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)
1 Reserve Mechanized Brigade (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)
3 Green Motorized Brigades (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)
10 Reserve Infantry Brigades (Stealth Ability, various militia)
1 Green Artillery Brigades (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)
2 Green SAM Brigades (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)
1 Reserve IRBM squadron (ex-Syrian unit)

4 Green Infantry Brigades (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)
10 Reserve Infantry Brigades (Stealth Ability, various militia)

Mil Rank 4 nation. Mil tech 7.4 Final Combat Strength is 698

Odds are 3901/698 = 5.58 which becomes 5:1
15:59, Today: Combat Cycle Ref rolled 3 using 1d10. NATO attack Caliphate.
CCR says: I do not make this stuff up! The rpol site does the die roll!

Results: 20% loss to the Attacker, 80% to defender

Losses
NATO
1 Veteran Bomber Squadrons (longrange)   UK
1 veteran Multirole plane Squadrons (Eurofighter) UK     1XxCD Reserve
1 elite multirole plane squad (Tornado) UK
3 Naval Veteran Multirole Plane Squadrons USA    1xCD Reserve

1 elite Inf Bde (stealth, airborne, amphibious, SAS/SBS/SRR) –Iran UK    1xCD Reserve
1 elite Inf Bde (stealth, airborne, amphibious, SAS/SBS/SRR) –Iran UK
1 Elite Mechanized Brigade  -Jordan USA
2 Marine Elite Mechanized Brigades –Iran USA
1 Elite Armored Brigade–Iran  USA
1 Elite Mechanized Brigade–Iran USA      1xCD Reserve
2 Vet Armor Brigades  Germany
1 Vet mech Brigade  Germany
1 Vet SPG (art) brigade  Germany

Caliphate
1 Reserve Tank Brigade (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)           1XDestroyed
1 Reserve Mechanized Brigade (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)  1XDestroyed
3 Green Motorized Brigades (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)
10 Reserve Infantry Brigades (Stealth Ability, various militia)    3XDestroyed
1 Green Artillery Brigades (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)          1xCD Reserve then Destroyed
2 Green SAM Brigades (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)
1 Reserve IRBM squadron (ex-Syrian unit)         1xDestroyed

4 Green Infantry Brigades (ex-Syrian and Iraqi units)         1xCD Reserve
10 Reserve Infantry Brigades (Stealth Ability, various militia)         10xDestroyed

GM says: And that was the last of the war for this turn. Now I will write a few ending remarks and then we will call this turn closed. If you have anything you wish to add, please do so ASAP.

EDIT: Ending remarks written. If you have anything to add, or think I have forgotten something let me know ASAP.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:52, Fri 05 Sept 2014.