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.