Join the new world

-2Lt. Ralph Vundu
-EDEN Headquarters

The day has finally come. The long-standing holdout has finally ended. The eUS has voted today to officially join the ranks of EDEN. The decision was long-debated, and considered, but Congress and our President Josh Frost have decided that the time is right to sign the magic papers. "It means that we will have our allies with us long term," Frost notes. Many see this as a great decision, but is it really? And what will it mean for us? I sought the insight of a couple of our Congressmen to find out the answers.

“I believe that given the position we were in it was the best possible choice. Seeing as EDEN asked us to join we were faced with the options of flat out refusing or joining them. The option to sort of 'half belong' in EDEN ceased to exist, and I much prefer to be in EDEN then out of it,” explained three-time Congressman St. Krems. We had been an unofficial part of EDEN almost since its inception, but upon their official request, we could not remain semi-autonomous. It had looked very much like we were already a member on the outside, so when the offer was cast officially who could say no?

“Well we were working with EDEN for a while now considering that most of our allies had joined. The problem was that while there were pros that came with joining EDEN we wouldn't be able to work so closely with some of the former PEACE countries. This presented us with a problem; do the pros outweigh the cons? Eventually we came to a standstill where EDEN told us that we either had to join or go neutral,” stated four-time Congressman and Director of Ambassadorial Affairs Dodgercatcher. It seems that this offer was not so much as a decision, but the final straw of a long debate.

Concerns came from several directions. “Well, joining EDEN was double edged. Whereas before we didn't have a say in EDEN military planning, we now have a voice at the table, and our voice will be listen to very carefully I suspect. However, we are now bound by the decisions of the EDEN council, so if they decide to go ahead with something we don't want we will be obliged to do so. But I'd say that a voice in the decision making process is worth it,” St. Krems said. “By not joining EDEN we could try and persuade some former fringe PEACE countries to become more friendly with us, helping our overall Foreign Relations,” Dodgercatcher added.

After much debate, the pros prevailed. “The thing is an alliance chains them to us as much as us to them. Their support was not demanded by any treaty and was contingent on their current governments. An alliance gives us the chance to guarantee those ties beyond specific administrations in either country. So I think the primary result is a strategic advantage as well as the chance to pay back some amazing allies for their work,” Congressman Zcia stated. It would appear that this would not be as bad of a deal as some feared.

So what does this mean change for the average citizen? “There’s no doubt that it does. Following the EDEN charter we must co-ordinate all of our military initiatives with EDEN from now on, not that we didn't before, but this will mean an increased focus on Europe from now on. Also we may no longer become allies with any countries if it hurts one of EDEN's members ‘long term interests’… Joining EDEN limits our diplomatic and military options a bit, but provides us with security,” explains St. Krems. As we were already so immersed in EDEN, the changes will be nearly invisible to the average citizen.

What about the G.I.’s? Will they see a change? “It will be the same old, same old for them. Most branches are mobile and fighting elsewhere anyway, they will just now be getting orders handed down from EDEN rarely, which wouldn't differ from what they usually get.” Dodgercatcher explains to me. Former military man Congressman Robert Loggia also provided some insight into the military’s new role. “Well, you'll be going on a lot more EDEN-organized missions. Otherwise things should mainly stay the same. There will be less autonomy with strategic decisions, and missions will be more aimed for the whole alliance rather than just the US.”

Whether you prefer staying neutral, or love our official alliance with EDEN, the die has been cast, and only time will tell if EDEN will survive, or will go the way of other alliances. St. Krems offered his scholarly opinion, “Eugene Harlot, Josh Frost and Gaius Julius have all worked with this alliance closely over the last months, and we have all learned a lot from ATLANTIS. I'm confident they would not have recommended joining it if they did not believe it would last.” So we hoist another flag in front of the White House, and start into this ever-growing relationship. And we all can raise a glass to the security and hope that our full-fledged membership in EDEN gives us.

I would like to take a moment to thank Josh Frost, Dodgercatcher, St Krems, Zcia, and Robert Loggia for their time and input, and invite you all to stay tuned for more news that affects all G.I.’s as it happens, here in The Army Times.