Liaoning and the Implications for Phoenix

Day 761, 20:39 • Published in USA Austria • by Albert Neurath

Unless you have been living underneath a rock, then you will know that Liaoning, colloquially referred to as "Lion King" has passed from Iranian to American control. What you might not realize is that, although this is a great victory and a feather in EDEN's cap, it has pretty far-reaching implications for the future of Phoenix as an alliance.

Phoenix is, of course, basically a continuation of the old PEACE, minus a few European and South American nations. As such, it has inherited most, if not all, of PEACE's bureaucracy, such as the PEACEkeepers. This bureaucracy is, I would say, slightly better than its EDEN equivalent, as judged by the fact that Russian tanks still managed to operate in Liaoning with a banned President. Phoenix nations have more people than EDEN nations overall.

By losing control of Liaoning, Phoenix only suffers a moderate economic setback to a single nation. However, it has just suffered a huge political setback. Even acknowledging that the Russian President got banned, just looking at raw numbers, Phoenix still should have won this battle. It can still take Liaoning back with some effort, but its loss to EDEN there spells bad tidings for the alliance as a whole.

"Why", one may ask? The answer is simple. Phoenix has the better bureaucracy, more tanks than EDEN, and a powerful incentive not to lose Liaoning. Phoenix still managed to lose Liaoning. Politically, this spells the end of Iran's status as a top-rate power, as the loss of their high Iron means they will be forced to import iron and weapons from allied nations. However, there will most likely be major fallout in the alliance over this. I am sure that accusations shall fly between allies over who was to blame, even if Phoenix presents a united front to the rest of the world.

What will both sides do for future battles? I do not pretend to know what they have planned. However, I have my own opinions as to what both alliances must do. EDEN cannot hope to invade home regions of Phoenix powers, as that will only make Phoenix more desperate to win, and therefore stronger. Instead, EDEN must continue to put pressure on the conquered territories of Phoenix nations as a way to cripple them politically, and win the war without trying to go for the jugular. Victory shall come from a thousand papercuts.

Phoenix, on the other hand, needs a morale booster. The best morale booster I can suggest is if they patch up their relations with France and Italy (nations in the newly formed Entente), and kick the Spaniards out of France. Even though France has alianated many of its former allies, 6000 people are still 6000 people, and will only help Phoenix remain stable in the face of a resurgent EDEN.

The war is far from over. As someone without a side, I can only say that this will be interesting.

Albert Neurath