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Author's note: This is to acknowledge my bias having fought the entirety of the war for Canada and in the most part, on Canadian soil.

Author's note, part 2: The tale of how countries rise, while the others relatively decline, is the defining storyline of the New World. While writing this article both Hungary and Russia have also announced their departure from PEACE GC.

July 14th marked the launch of the North American War, or what is more commonly referred to as World War III, a time that coincided with the dismantling of the ATLANTIS alliance and voided the embryonic Fortis compact. With the announcement of Indonesia officially pulling out of the PEACE GC alliance this past week, a move of significant geopolitical importance, it is interesting to look back at the progression of the various nations involved in the great war.

ATLANTIS opened the doors to the power plays that followed and the PEACE GC closes that chapter. Potential re-alignment of the powers that be will give rise to new opportunities and conflicts.

The boon provided by war is evident as many more countries benefited by the great conflict as those that did not. The winners and losers of WWIII are many and not always evident at first glance, here is a look at those nations:

The North Americans, Eden and allies.

Note that many more forces joined on this side of the battle, at one point referred to as the "Free World", but we chose to look at 9 in particular.

Canada

First to fall, first to rise. Canada by the numbers today is much as it was previous to the opening of the North American front, yet something fundamental changed. Yes it was a middle power internationally in a safe geographic location then and is so now but it has matured. By relentless dedication and precious help from its numerous allies, Canada managed to reclaim all its lost land. In so doing it formed its military into an efficient force that can and will make a difference at the wall.

This focused strength as well as its natural wealth of raw resources makes Canada one of the nations with the greatest potential and therefore a clear winner in the past conflicts.

Croatia

Any nation that can, at a regions swap notice, be forced to fight Hungary, Serbia and Russia along with their mutual protection pacts but still chooses to put all their resources and heart fighting for the United States and Canada... deserves high praise indeed. Croatia, especially in the later stages of the conflagration, was the third front. That they survived at home while being crucial players abroad is remarkable. Had the Brolliance and Eden lost Croatia, it would have suffered a pointed embarrassment. That did not happen.

For their selflessness, potent and timely military intervention and continued importance in Europe, Croatia is amongst the winners of the great war.

Finland

How many nations put themselves on the chessboard of region swapping and tactical border wars more than Finland? A smaller nation still than Canada but one whose strategic importance was high. It is telling that as the North American front closed that much of the focus turned to Finland and its Scandinavian neighbour Sweden. Some for revenge because it is an accessible target, some to secure the position Finland used so effectively to block some PEACE manoeuvres.

Unfortunately, Finland has suffered a great deal. It is a country, because of its size, wholly dependent on its allies. Even though they have earned the gratitude of all their allies, their position under siege makes them one of the losers of WWIII.

Greece

At the start of the war Greece was both neutral and uncertain about its prospects for continued sovereignty. It had recently reclaimed its high iron region making it both a desirable ally and an important potential target for PEACE. It could have easily bended knee to what appeared to be the greater alliance but it chose not to. Then it got bolstered by refugees from Canada, the US and Spain and it never looked back.

Greece is now entirely free, it has a potentially powerful economy anchored by its iron production and the population to defend it. Its population has exploded and because of all this Greece is one of the most important winners of WWIII.

Poland

Like Croatia, the geographic position of Poland means it is directly threatened by powerful opponents at all times. Like Croatia they also put all their manpower and resources on the front lines of the North American battlefields. Some important battles where prolonged and/or won with the timely arrival of the Polish troops.

Before WWIII they had already an important and growing population base. With no raw resources wealth comparable to other established powers, it could have easily squandered the potential of the increased head count. The war allowed them to train and mature and with it, guarantee Poland its sovereignty. Poland is one of the winners of the great war.

Romania

Romania has appeared to take on the role of godfather, one who can offer protection and security. A nation whose history and power makes it a giant but a giant who has stepped relatively quietly as of late. At one point, when the tides of battle favoured PEACE almost entirely, it was thought that Romania was next on the list for extinction. They could have isolated themselves and shepherded their strength but they did not.

Every major and defining battle saw the Romanians contribute legions of tanks. They did not lose any regions and so their infrastructure did not suffer, placing them in a good position to continue their "peacemaking" ways. Romania's win lies in the survival and thriving of its allies.

Spain

When Canada was incapable of stopping the French advance, Spain opened a front by triggering every MPP they had. It was a suicidal move but a necessary one. Spain would pay dearly for that particular gambit by losing every single region. Like Canada though it was but a passing thing. Spain deployed a massive campaign to overtake the French media and it maintained its military integrity. Once free of the constraints of France's powerful allies, Spain was able to take on the immerging power one on one. This proved decisive.

Spain reclaimed all its regions, increased its population by a fair amount but more importantly, stalled and reversed French Imperial ambitions. It is safer now than it was previous to the start of hostilities and so is one of the winners of WWIII.

Sweden

Like Finland and Spain, Sweden put their future on the line by making the military manoeuvres needed to grant Canada and the US some breathing room. For Canada the importance of Sweden is even greater. At a time when they would have been hard pressed to have afforded it, Sweden donated a hospital to the Canadians. This act alone, beyond the gold value attached to it, signalled the return of Canada as a viable player and should earn a long lasting debt of gratitude.

Like Finland though it has found itself under constant attack since the close of the North American theatre of war. It continues to play a crucial role in the conflicts of the New World but its smaller size makes it particularly vulnerable. Until stability returns to Northern Europe, Sweden must be considered amongst the losers.

United States

Many would think the US should have been/be the greatest nation of the New World. Many did believe precisely that and PEACE used this fact to justify their invasion. The result was that the US was humbled and came within one region of suffering the same fate as Canada and Spain. They survived though and liberated every region, while at the same time being central players in the liberation of their "brothers" to the North.

The US stands once more today on the brink of being one of the greatest nations of the New World based on the power granted by their population base and their wealth of raw resources. It is a potential power tempered by the lessons of war and as long as that is remembered, the US will prevail. Along with Greece, Canada and Spain, they are the big winners of WWIII.

PEACE GC and allies

Note that many more forces joined on this side of the battle, it was without contest the biggest alliance of the New World, but we chose to look at 10 in particular.

Columbia

The countries of South America find themselves, more often than not, isolated from World affairs. This is not due to a lack of will on the part these populations but a constraint imposed on them by geography. Therefore it must have come as a surprise to the US war planners when Columbia entered the conflict. It met with initial success and effectively prevented its opponents from gaining any sort of initiative but the whole exercise lasted a little over a week. In the context of a war that lasted months, it was a modest incursion.

With the recent implosion of PEACE GC, Columbia finds themselves potentially weakened having earned the enmity of a country the size of the US. Their status as winners or losers will depend a great deal on how the PEACE powers realign themselves.

France

There was a plan for a Greater France which would include such regions as Quebec and the important Asturias high iron region. For a time that plan was successful. The astounding baby boom orchestrated by the French could have redefined the relationships of power in the New World permanently. It was not to be. France's young citizenry was targeted mercilessly by the resistance fighting the occupation and when the dust settled, much of the apparent population gains had disappeared.

France ended up demoralized and questioning many things, including their position within PEACE. All their conquests were erased and each time their opponents grew in strength and unity. Because of this France has to be considered on the losers of the great war.

Hungary

If Romania is the godfather, Hungary is the puppetmaster. At every stage of the war, they were accused of pulling strings, of manipulating whole countries... indeed of manipulating the whole PEACE alliance. Through their network of MPPs, Hungary was able to participate in every important battle even though they did not originally possess an open front in North America. When they did secure some regions, the threat only increased.

The battles of WWIII consecrated Hungary as second to none in terms of overall military strength. Look across the New World today and none possess the war machine to match them one on one. Any victories against them is at the cost of massive invasions, resistance and huge transfers of forces. Yet they must be considered losers for their gambit in North America failed and they have firmly ensconced themselves as public enemy number one.

Indonesia

They played their role perfectly. A heavy hitter, engaged in the war but only opening a new front once all the enemy forces have committed. Their attacks through Hawaii were timed to coincide with a period of the war where morale in the US and Canada was very low. The defeats and loss of land were accumulating and here was the second military power in the world carving out some new conquests for themselves. The goal was the break the remaining spirit of the enemy.

Like all other invaders in North America, all gains where once again lost. There was an attempt at a negotiated settlement that could have seen Indonesia maintain control on important American assets, but the deal fell through. Ultimately they went home having gained nothing. They would not have been labelled winners or losers but considering their just announced parting of ways with PEACE, one wonders if the damage inflicted was not in fact considerable.

Iran

The land of the field marshals! Iran, like Poland and Croatia for the other side, moved in when needed, dealt huge amounts of damage at opportune times and moved back out. Through a series of regions swaps they eventually were awarded multiple Canadian regions to hold. In a strange twist, Iran decided to declare war on Canada but never launched a single military manoeuvre once that deed was done. The unfortunately timed inactivity on their part would eventually lead to the loss of all Canadians assets.

Had only invested their tanks and time but once they were given regions to hold they fell in the loser column. There is no doubt Iranian prestige and morale took a hit from the sequence of events that led to them being removed from Canada.

Portugal

A quiet nation, has now fought a few vicious wars. Under the guidance of PEACE, led the charge against the US on the East Coast. Like every other blitz movement it was successful at first. Diplomacy appears to have been successful in this case as they eventually pulled out of the war.

For small nations any stimulus is good. The war economy livened the Portuguese markets and the influx of foreign fighters made it more dynamic. Now that the major conflicts have been resolved, Portugal has returned to its more quiet ways and participates by sending fighters internationally. For the economic stimulus and the apparent diplomatic resolution, it is one of the winners.

Russia

The writing was on the wall. When France invaded from the East, enough clues had been planted in the world media to see that Russia was ready to come in from the West and come in they did. They did not so much knock on the door as take the whole frame down. Their rampage through much of the north-western America was virtually unopposed with the exception of a few setbacks at the hands on Canada while their priorities lay elsewhere.

Russia, like all other invaders, was pushed out but not before announcing loud and clear the new arrival of a world power. Russia today is stronger and more capable with a potential matched perhaps only by the US. Even though PEACE gained nothing in WWIII, Russia may in fact be the biggest winners. The wars permitted their young citizens to grow and mature, their potential power forced their allies to return very important and lucrative regions back and the geographic position allows them to be anywhere in the globe with just a few region swaps. If their resources and population is led effectively, they may be tomorrow's greatest superpower.

Serbia

Serbia's history matches quite closely that of Hungary. From small fledgling state that was overwhelmed by Croatia, they regained their independence with the help of allies and have grown to be the second most populous country today. Their role in the great war was more of a support one and a foil in Europe, mainly towards Croatia.

If they continue to match the blueprint set by Hungary, and there is no indication right now that they wouldn’t, Serbia will be a potent force in the near future. As their frequent forays into Croatia has shown, they aren’t quite ready to shoulder the burden of a one-nation wrecking ball the Huns have perfected but they are closing the gap each time. WWIII was the perfect training ground for this emerging power.

Turkey

Turkey's role in WWIII was almost exclusively to divert resources in the defence of Greece. Greece was never seriously threatened by Turkey, not with so many MPPs activated, but they forced the Eden et al. forces to defend there. The constant threat they represent towards the Greek iron supply makes them a valuable ally and strategic country.

Turkey is nothing if not opportunistic. Their potential lies more in their geographic location than in their natural resources and citizenry. They suffered the loss of Greek regions during the war but are recouping some of those losses by their actions in Israel.

United Kingdom

On the altar of ambition they sacrificed history and friendship. Although those in the corridors of power would have seen the move coming, the betrayal of the UK towards the former ATLANTIS nations in general and Canada in particular was shocking to the general population. It was even a surprise to their own nationals as evidenced by the subsequent resistance wars fought in occupied regions.

The UK is perhaps the biggest losers in this conflict even though they conquered no land, rather those they held temporarily were gifted to them. They turned their backs on historical allies and instead bended knee to opportunistic masters. They have been unable to hold any regions they control and have been generally ridiculed in the international media for the roles they have played the past few months. This loss of "face" and the willingness they had to betray once will always make them suspicious allies in the future. A tough road is ahead for the UK in the new generations growing up there.

Conclusion

The wars of tomorrow will be interesting ones. What does a country like Indonesia, which has done and achieved everything, do next? The one challenge they have not faced is Hungary, a long time ally and friend. Will their leaving PEACE now put them at odds? Does the US harness their massive population and turn their attention to imperial conquest? That is how they got into trouble the first time. Hungary does not need very many allies to be deadly, can they be stopped? Does Russia reunify the Motherland? Time will tell and we will be so lucky as to witness it all.




*The above was an article from a Member Paper of the Writers' Guild of Canada*