Kazulia

[Maxington]

Minister-President of Kelvon Sölmundur Vilbertsson and State Minister for Agriculture and Food Production Kristmundur Henrýsson
are currently on a visit to Kalistan to secure an agreement with either the Kalistani Government or the Organisation of Drug
Exporting Nations (ODEN) on the importation of industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis after a dramatic shortage in hemp and
cannabis. Amidst increasing demand for biofuel as Kelvon's economy continues to deal with the loss of its principle revenue
earner, Asvald, the demand for biofuel, which currently captures a large percentage of the state's new revenue streams is
increasing. As Kazulia does not maintain large, mature cannabis farms, the Kelvon Fuel Trading Company, the state-owned fuel
supplier has been forced to look outside. Recognising that most states in the Dovanian region do not maintain liberalised
cannabis regulations and only allow for its use within the perimeters of medical treatment and research, the Kelvon Fuel Trading
Company has to look outside for potential sources. On the biofuel front; Kelvon is the only state to be run almost entirely by
renewable energy resources. According to statistical data from the State Ministry for Energy and the Environment found that
around 55% of cars on Kelvon's roads are run by Direct-ethanol fuel cells with around 32% being powered by biodiesel coming from
industrial hemp. Recognising that the biodiesel from industrial hemp is recognised by the Federal Department of Energy and Energy
Affairs, its price is subsidised alongside the federal fuel subsidy, making it more affordable for drivers to swift to biofuels
as an alternative fuel source. The eagerness to produce biofuels from cannabis and ethanol comes amidst there appears to be a
growing market for the commodities as many states moving towards renewable energy seek to discover/utilise alternative fuel
sources, separate from the traditional oil and natural gas sources. According to the Federal Department of Energy and Energy
Affairs, there is an eagerness to remove the federal fuel subsidy recognising the Prime Minister's drive to form a solid
environmental protection policy.

Minister-President Vilbertsson stated that the subsidy on biofuels is more favourable than that on regular fuels such as diesel
and petrol. The Kelvon Fuel Trading Company supplies biofuels to gas stations across Kelvon and Kazulia and exports surplus gas
onto the international market. Minister-President Vilbertsson stated that although the state had considered introducing
provisions for a strategic stockpile, permission to stockpile large amounts of cannabis would have to come from the Federal
Government who has not come to conclusion on that policy. Vilbertsson noted that with demand increasing as biofuel plants have
been asked by the State Government to increase production, the supply is rapidly diminishing as the industrial hemp plants cannot
keep up with the demand. He stated that if the demand is not fed, the State Government would have to divest Kelvon Fuel Trading
Company from industrial hemp and restructure its revenue streams to come exclusively from ethanol. Months prior, the
Minister-President spearheaded the introduction of anti-trust laws in the agricultural sector which saw many mega-farms being
broken up, thus allowing for smaller farmers to compete and survive. When asked whether he regretted the decision to break-up the
large agribusinesses in Kelvon, Minister-President Vilbertsson stated that the decision to break up the agribusiness oligopoly
that existed in Kelvon was important to bring relief to the small farmers who were being driven out of their livelihoods by the
larger corporations. CEO of Mara-Andrason, one of the largest agribusiness corporations in Kazulia, Henning Langager stated that
the company could help cover the shortfall but noted that it could only do so if Kelvon's Government removes its crippling
regulations on the agricultural sector. Langager stated that the company could easily establish another mega-farm in Kelvon and
import seeds from another nation, but noted that such a move could only happen when the State Government repeals the Agricultural
Development, Fair Competition and Investment Act. State Minister for Agriculture and Food Production Kristmundur Henrýsson stated
that the State Government will review the law in the coming months but noted that companies should not hold their breaths.

Minister-President Vilbertsson stated that he intends on establishing a trade mission in Kalistan to attract agricultural
investment into Kelvon and to allow for Kelvonese businesses to export their agricultural products to the Kalistani markets.
Under the reformed constitution, Kazulian States reserve the right to determine their own foreign policy once it does not
contradict that of the Federal Government. Meaning, if the Federal Government bars trade from Likatonia (for example), Kelvon
cannot engage in a separate trade agreement with Likatonia, nor can Kelvon draw foreign investment from Likatonia. Vilbertsson
stated that Kelvon's use of technology in agriculture could be extremely beneficial to the Kalistani economy. He highlighted that
the University of Kelvon had intentions to establish an exchange programme with the Kalistani Government and the Lourennais
Government to ensure students from the aforementioned nations have access to quality agricultural education and to also ensure
that Kazulian students to access similar forms of education in other nations through cooperation. The Minister-President stated
that he had his eyes set on Indrala as a potential local for another University of Kelvon foreign campus, but noted that the
industrial hemp shortfall would take prior for now. He stated that he hopes to conclude a favourable agreement with the Kalistani
Government, ODEN or an industrial hemp company in Kalistan to ensure the demand can be met. He concluded by stating that once he
returns to Kazulia, he intends on establishing the Strategic Cannabis/Hemp Reserve (SCHR).

[Maxington]

Visiting to bolster economic ties, Prime Minister Linda Rasmussen's visit gives prominence to the achievements being made in the
Dankukin economy. In her own words, “We see Dankuk's progress in the nation's industrialisation and the social democracy that
comes with its industrialisation”. As Dankuk has reformed, so has trade between the two countries, totalling $45 billion in the
previous year. The trip is part of Prime Minister Rasmussen's efforts to promote the Kazulia's realignment to the Dovanian
continent in the form of the WDEA, with Dankuk being a linchpin to the Dovanian realignment. Dankuk has developed drastically
since the social capitalist reforms introduced by the governing Innovative Dankuk party. Its image has changed from one of an
economically unstable and political uncertain nation to one of modernization and prosperity, boasting of large growth rates.
Dankuk has committed itself to international standards of trade. Higher quality checks, labour reforms, environment
sustainability and intellectual property protection are all part of its integration into the global economy. Since Premier Hyun
Alfaro, enterprises in a number of industries can now, for the first time, be 100 percent foreign-owned following the collapse of
the previous communist government. Premier Hyan Alfaro has embarked on an extremely ambitious programme to eradicate corruption
from the nation. Improving the quality of public services and reducing corruption have both been earmarked on the national agenda
in recent years but there is still some way to go. Unfettered by these challenges, foreign investment is pouring in as Kazulian
investors are picking Dankuk over its Mikokuzin neighbours for the lucrative opportunities available in the country. ‘High
quality” FDI inflows are being targeted by the government, with a focus on projects that use advanced and environmentally
friendly technologies. Progress has been made with Dankuk's internal technological innovation. Attracted by a young,
well-educated labour force and generous tax incentives, major Kazulian technology firms such as ITC, VOLT, Viserby Systems and
others have all set up research and manufacturing plants within the past few years.

Dankuk has the capabilities to produce high-end products and its emerging middle class is ready to consume them. The middle class
is expected to continue to grow well into the future according to statistics from the Kazulian Centre for Statistical Data.
Additionally, exports are being buoyed up by the booming manufacturing industries which are finding their niche in global markets
due to the regional advantages Dankuk has in areas such as tax incentives. The performance has in large part has come from the
evolving competitive nature of the Dankukin economy. Although not Kazulia's largest trading partner, Prime Minister Rasmussen
stated that it was her intention to ensure that Dankuk remained apart of Kazulia's trade sphere. The Western Dovani Economic Area
will bring many benefits to Dankuk, not least in its unrestricted access to the massive Kazulian and Lourennais markets but also
to the rest of the 150 million consumers within the WDEA bloc — which would be a major market space for Dankukin products. In
speaking with Premier Alfaro, Prime Minister Rasmussen stated that she hopes Dankuk will continue to expand its high-end economy
into new eras of development. The WDEA will either abolish tariffs on the vast majority of Dankukin exports to the other
economies of the other member states. Prime Minister Rasmussen's visit reassures both Dankuk and foreign investors on her
intentions to reform the WDEA into a more flexible organisation. Dankuk is expected to become a vital economic and security
partner in Kazulia's trade sphere. Prime Minister Rasmussen commented on the “new generation of Dankukin citizens who are ready
to make their mark on the world”. Demographically speaking, Dankuk is at a major advantage with a young and dynamic populace,
full of entrepreneurial spirit. Investors are not holding back for the next generation to come to fruition, Dankuk is ready for
investment now with foreign direct investment pledges growing according to statements from the Kazulian Centre for Statistical
Data.

As a continuously growing economy, Dankuk continues to remain a model for economic growth
among the Mikokuzin Community. Through strong public investments and even stronger private partnerships, this nation has
transformed itself into one of the fastest-growing economies on the continent. The Western Dovani Economic Area allows for Dankuk
to take advantage of the major markets of both Lourenne and Kazulia who can absorb their products and produce large returns in
foreign direct investment. It is my firm belief that through the reforms I have brought to the WDEA, Dankuk's involvement in the
WDEA will reap great benefits and work towards establishing a long-lasting relationship between our two nations.

[Maxington]

Pirate attacks in the Sovereign Sea, the Midway Gulf and along the Midway Canal have increased dramatically, rising fears that
the affected region could disrupt international trade passing through the aforementioned bodies of water, this is according to
the Defence Intelligence and Security Organisation (FESO) which has been monitoring developments in the Sovereign Sea since the
initial dispatching of Kazulian naval assets to the region. It had been reported by FESO and the nations along the Sovereign Sea
and the Midway Gulf that there had been an increasing frequency in pirate attacks against commercial ships travelling along the
aforementioned routes. Piracy in the Sovereign Sea, the Midway Gulf and along the Midway Canal has escalated from low-level armed
robberies to hijackings, cargo thefts and large-scale robberies over the past eight months, according to FESO. Annually, FESO
produces a list of "High-Risk" international trade routes, although the Sovereign Sea, the Midway Gulf and the Midway Canal were
not listed mainly due to the attempts of the Kazulian Navy in combating the clout of piracy over the past decade, the
aforementioned bodies of water are expected to be placed on the list once more, with them being marked as "Extreme-Risk" areas
with advisories to avoid transit along the waters.

Piracy poses a grave threat to international shipping coming into Central Dovani, Vascania and Western Majatra along with the Red Bass
Ocean. Various nations such as Midway are extremely dependent on international shipping, with the nations along the Sea of Carina
being extremely dependent on international shipping coming through the Midway Canal. While numerous attacks attributed to Rapa
Pile pirates, analysts say the number of attacks off Midway waters are unreported for unknown reasons.

The situation in Central Dovani is increasingly deteriorating, with large amounts
of international shipping being diverted from the region over fears of piracy. We [Kazulia] have been fighting piracy in this
region for decades now on our own without the assistance of the international community and it is becoming clear to us that we
need international support.

Piracy in the region has been a problem for Kazulia since the nation initially involved itself in the situation with the
intentions of bringing the situation to an end. Piracy in other regions have been encouraged by the impact of piracy in Central
Dovani, as their focus tends to be on robberies and kidnapping for ransoms rather than seizing vessels. According to Commander of
the National Coast Guard of Midway, Commander Hoshino Shinsui, pirates within the Midway Gulf and in the Midway Canal are more
violent than their counterparts operating in the Sovereign Sea, with reports documenting pirates shooting and brutally torturing
the crew of various ships. Just last week a coast guard vessel was ambushed along the winding channels of the Midway Canal which
resulted in the deaths of the vessel's crew and the subsequent capture of the vessel by pirates. Officials from the Kazulian Navy
and the Midway Coast Guard met on-board the HKMS-Ruben Saether frigate which operates in the region alongside 5 additional
vessels to discuss piracy concerns. As the Royal Kazulian Coast Guard launches Operation Marlin, it has been reported that the
Kazulian Navy and the Lourennais Navy will be positioning additional vessels in the region as apart of its attempts to address
the rising frequency of pirate attacks, with potential involvement for the Vascanian Navy in the future as time progresses and
assets become fully operational.

[Maxington]

Attorney-General Anders Schmidt and Minister of Defence Richard Madsen are currently in Vascania meeting with Vascanian Prime
Minister Subhas Lutail and their counterparts Vascanian Minister of Justice Uma Bhatta and Defence Minister Naaro Yalyn to speak
both on cooperation in money laundering and cooperating in combating piracy in Eastern Dovani. Attorney-General Schmidt and
Justice Minister Uma Bhatta, following their meeting announced that both Kazulia and Vascania had signed an agreement to share
more information about money-laundering threats in an effort to fight financial crimes. According to Attorney-General Schmidt, an
information-sharing mechanism was developed jointly by the Financial Intelligence Service (Kazulia) and the Financial
Intelligence Unit (Vascania). The move for the two nations to cooperate on money laundering and other financial crimes comes
amidst the reports by the Financial Intelligence Service that financial crimes were on a rise and were mainly being facilitated
through the Dovanian nations. The questions have had a significant impact, prompting credit rating firms to cut their outlooks
and banks to reshuffle their management. According to the Financial Intelligence Service, due to the weak anti-money laundering
regimes in many of the Dovanian states, billions of dollars in suspicious transactions had been moving throughout the region,
thus making it almost impossible for the Financial Intelligence Services to trace the transactions to their origins. In its
annual report, the FIS concluded that the Kazulian Government would have to force other nations to become compliant to anti-money
laundering standards to ensure suspicious transactions stop moving throughout the region without detection.

Attorney-General Schmidt stated that the FIA, the Department of the Attorney-General and Legal Affairs, the Department of
Domestic Affairs and the Department of Finance and the Economy had been monitoring suspicious transactions throughout the larger
nations in Dovani, particularly in developing nations such as Vascania. He noted that the federal government had already
highlighted several firms in Vascania with suspicious transactions and called on the Vascanian Government to strengthen their
anti-money laundering regime. “Closer cross-border cooperation between supervision authorities plays a key role in strengthening
anti-money-laundering capabilities across the region, Bård Christophersen, director of the Financial Intelligence Service, said
in a statement that accompanied the announcement of the agreement. A spokeswoman for Kazulsk Bank said the bank welcomes the
tighter collaboration among regulators. “Money laundering has become a race between criminals and legislators, authorities,
financial institutions and financial intelligence units,” she said. “This step will strengthen the anti-money laundering work and
our collaboration with the authorities.” The Financial Intelligence Service has a long track record of sharing information with
other nations particularly Hutori and Lourenne. The effort to include Dovanian regulators highlights aforementioned concerns
about transactions within the Dovanian continent, she said. Schmidt, in speaking with Bhatta highlighted that criminal
organisations such as drug cartels and weapons smuggling rings were using Vascania's weak anti-money laundering regime to move
money to fund their respective empires. He placed specific emphasis on the Narendra Collective, a criminal organisation operating
within Vascania, led by Narendra Singh who is wanted by the Kazulian Department of Domestic Affairs.

On matters pertaining to piracy, Defence Minister Richard Madsen spoke with his Vascanian counterpart, Defence Minister Naaro
Yalyn. Defence Minister Madsen stated that following discussions with Defence Minister Yalyn, Kazulia and Vascania will be
conducting joint maritime patrols in Eastern Dovani as instances of piracy continue to increase in the region. The unwatched,
under-monitored oceans of eastern dovani are a largely lawless expanse where piracy and kidnappings are common. The Defence
Intelligence and Security Organisation reported on the increase in piracy in the region. Although Kazulia and Vascania are not
formal allies, Minister Madsen stated that with time a favourable relationship between the two nations will take shape. The
Kazulian Embassy in Bianjie which also represents Kazulian interests in Vascania said in a statement that the cooperation between
Kazulia and Vascania in combating piracy in Eastern Dovani "further demonstrates Kazulia's commitment to the security of the
Dovanian continent and enduring Kazulian interest in promoting stability and prosperity in the region." "As we begin at-sea
operations with the Vascanian Navy alongside our Lourennais partners, it demonstrates our commitment to the Dovanian continent
and shows our determination to combat piracy and illegal activities throughout the region," said High Representative for
Vascania, Elliot Westermarck said in a statement.

[Maxington]

The Federal Office of Foreign Asset Management (FOFAM) under the Department of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs, designated
four North Dovanian cartel members today under the Serious and Organised Crime Act for their ties to the White Rock
Confraternity. FOFAM's action today is the result of collaboration with the Kazulian Federal Police who launched Operation Roman,
a transnational counternarcotics operation spanning numerous nations across the region. In a significant expansion of the
Kazulian Government's push against Class A drugs entering the nation, the Kazulian Federal Police has begun training an elite
unit of counternarcotics police in North Dovani and planning similar units in other states as part of an effort to combat the
Dovanian criminal organisations that are increasingly using vulnerable people to smuggle Class A drugs into Western Dovani and
other regions. The growing Kazulian involvement in the region follows an earlier escalation of anti-drug efforts in Kazulia
itself, according to documents, Select Committee testimonies and interviews with a range of officials at the Departments of
Foreign Affairs, Domestic Affairs and Defence. According to many of the testimonies, Kazulian officials are responding to fears
that crackdowns in more direct staging points for smuggling — like North Dovani and Southern Dovani — have prompted traffickers
to move into smaller and weakly governed states, further corrupting and destabilising them. The Kazulian efforts include the use
of the Kazulian Federal Police's Criminal Intelligence Directorate and special operations units — called SDU, Special Duties
Units — to train and work alongside specially vetted local forces in the recently formed Narcotics and Interventions Unit North
Dovani (NIUND). Superintendent Jonathan Ketelsen, a spokesman for the Kazulian Federal Police, confirmed that the Kazulian
Federal Police had intentions to work with all federal and stately entities in combating the illegal drug trade in North
Dovani.

The White Rock Confraternity and other criminal
organisations have transported large quantities of Class A drugs into Kazulia, and have used violence and corruption to exert
their regional influence. The Kingdom of Kazulia will continue to expose the network of companies controlled by the designated
ringleaders and their trafficking networks that attempt to infiltrate and abuse the global financial system. The Federal Police
is going after drug trafficking organisations on all fronts. Making money is the priority of drug trafficking, and by taking away
its means to launder illicit drug revenues, the Federal Police, along with our interagency partners, is taking another step
toward dismantling the White Rock Confraternity and its partner organizations

National Commissioner Knudsen alongside Assistant Commissioner and Director of the Criminal Intelligence Directorate Halvor Oien
stated that the Federal Police would be working alongside the Kazulian Security and Intelligence Organisation (KSEO) on targeting
the assets of criminal organisations. According to Assistant Commissioner Oien, criminal organisations were using companies as a
front to launder much of their financial wealth through the globe. The first company appointed is Alpha Capital Investments Ltd,
a holding company in North Dovani. This company is owned or controlled by Okechukwu Beluchi and his wife Nneka Uchechey-Beluchi
and has been targeted by the aforementioned Federal Office of Foreign Asset Management for its connections to White Rock
Confraternity leader Akubundu Okonkwo. The second company is KJV Chibueze, a gas station located in eastern North Dovani. This
company is owned or controlled by Ula Akabueze, who is now recognised by the FOFAM as an enabler of the drug trade due to the
fact that the gas station had been used to laundering large quantities of cash for other criminal organisations according to
initial information from the North Dovanian Federal authorities. According to Assistant Commissioner Oien, the Federal Police had
obtained information from sources operating in the nation that the White Rock Confraternity could have potential "operatives"
inside of the Federal Defense Force. He stated that whilst the Federal Police would be working alongside the relevant authorities
in North Dovani, it does not have any intention of handing over extremely sensitive information to certain bodies when there are
rumours of corrupt soldiers operating in the ranks of North Dovani's tactical response to the mounting criminal problems in the
nation. Assistant Commissioner Oien stated that he intends on meeting with the leadership of North Dovani's law enforcement
agencies in the coming days. Agencies such as the Narcotics and Interventions Unit North Dovani, Southwest North Dovani Police
Force, Southeast North Dovani Police Force, Far North North Dovani Police Force and the North Dovani National Guard.

[Maxington]

Flindar-based and Lourenne-based companies have signed over 50 new contracts worth $5 billion in total in a deal expected to
create 6,000 jobs in Flindar. Minister-President of Flindar Max Schauman made the announcement Tuesday in front of an audience at
the Flindar-Lourenne Investment Conference held at the Flindar Investment and Trade Agency's regional office in Lourenne. He
spent the morning in Valois, Lourenne's manufacturing and technology capital, meeting with various corporate officials from
numerous Lourenne companies. Most of the jobs will come from $2.5 billion in new investments by Lourennais companies into
Flindar. Flindar's companies will also invest $2.5 billion in Lourenne. The lion's share of that investment from Flindar is SP
Group's acquisition of an industrial estate, which the company intends on transforming into a research and development hub. The
Lourennais executives who attended the event head up some of Lourenne’s largest multinationals: Vorsima Corporation, Groupe
Larosiére,TLG Écologie, Cielsoft and Association Franc. Eroncourt-based lawyer Ferdinand Johannessen heads the Flindar-Lourenne
Business Council and said Tuesday's turnout is a sign of growing interest in Flindar among Lourennais businesspeople. "If you'd
asked me whether we could have got 500 people in Lourenne for this conference, that would have been a hard sell a few years ago,"
he said. "We in Flindar understand the rise of Lourenne and why we need to pay attention to Lourenne. What's missing is a sense
of urgency. And I think on the Lourennais side, for the longest time there was a sense that Kazulia and the states are some
distant entity further up north, and we are only about natural resources and commodities. That perception is changing." CEO of
TLG Écologie Corinna Apelot, who had a private meeting with Minister-President Max Schauman, spoke in glowing terms of her
experience investing in Kazulia (in Flindar specifically). "We have several plans in Flindar for three businesses, which is
information technology and research & development," said Apelot. "We are very happy investors. I think just the ease of doing
business, the business friendliness of Flindar’s Government and to the extent the Kazulian Government, I think is something that
is a true delight for an investor. Someone who's tasted that will always want to come back for more."

As it pertains to trade between Kazulia and Lourenne, according to a recent statistic from the Department of Trade and Industry,
due to the negotiations on the revised Eroncourt Convention, although trade confidence is increasing, the actual outflow of trade
between the two nations has been slowly decreasing. "That figure was optimistic, and they haven't reached it," said Torbjørn
Ostrem, President of the Trond Heinrichsen Institute for International Affairs. Trade between the two countries is still stuck at
just over $20 billion annually. "Trade is something that responds to economic incentives, and the fact is, for a long time, India
was a relatively closed economy," said Ostrem. As the revised Eroncourt Convention comes into effect, Ostrem noted that it will
increase the volumes of trade flowing between Kazulia and Lourenne and to a lesser extent, Flindar and Lourenne. The inefficiency
of Lourenne's state sector and bureaucracy has been a factor holding it back from meeting its growth potential as well. For
years, the country lagged behind Kazulia in annual growth. However, in recent decades, the Lourennais economy has posted larger
growth projections than the Kazulian economy. That level of growth produces both new demand for goods and services from other
countries and more money with which to buy them. "In the context of energy, Flindar seeks renewable energy security. Lourenne can
provide it," said Johannessen, who is in Eroncourt for the business forum. "Trade is very much an area where the two countries
have not reached the potential that they should. "Ultimately, these two entities and their businesses don't know each other, and
that has to change for trade to grow. Free trade deals are nice to have, but they're not necessary or sufficient conditions for
trade to grow." Lourenais immigration to Kazulia and vice-versa, which are growing sources of skilled workers for the two
entities, is building greater awareness of Flindar's economy among the other states of Kazulia.

[Maxington]

The Kingdom of Kazulia is duty-bound to come to Telamon's aid in the event of a conflict with Davostan, Prime Minister Linda
Rasmussen declared at the start of her tour of Telamon aimed at reassuring Kazulia's second ally in the Macon region in the face
of threats to stability from states outside of the region and an increasingly assertive Davostan. Rasmussen went further than
some analysts had expected in reassuring the Telamon's prime minister, Líly Mosadóttir, that Telamon's dispute with Davostan over
the latter's aggressive posturing through its allies in the North Terran Alliance (NTA) was covered by the Memorandum of
Understanding on Defence and Security. But she reiterated Skalm's position that Telamon and Davostan had to resolve their dispute
in a timely manner. Our commitment to Telamon's security is absolute and our MoU covers all fronts of defence both internal and
external,” Rasmussen said during a joint press conference with Mosadóttir. “We don’t take a position on the dispute arising our
of the thrones but we urge for a speedy resolution to the situation in a manner that does not result in conflict. “My hope is
that Davostan's Government will continue to engage with the Telamon and other countries in ensuring the situation is resolved
peacefully.” Rasmussen's confirmation that Kazulia intends on coming in the defence of Telamon should a conflict between the
nation and Davostan breakout has drawn much controversy in Davostan. The Departments of Foreign Affairs and Defence in joint
statements declared that the Kingdom of Kazulia would uphold its end of the MoU and provide Telamon with defence aid upon the
request of Telamon's Government. Rasmussen, who is making the first state visit to Telamon by any Kazulian head of government in
more than five (5) decades, insisted that Kazulia although tied to the Memorandum of Understanding reserves the right to withhold
defence aid. “I emphasised with the Prime Minister, whilst we will continue to maintain an extremely friendly relationship we do
not intend on entering a conflict whereby Telamon is the instigator and whereby the conflict is based on "reclaiming de jure
titles".

Speaking on Defence aid, Kazulia will give Telamon 50 billion in military assistance over the next decade, the largest such aid
package in Kazulia's history with Telamon, under a landmark agreement signed during Foreign Minister Viktoria Johansen's visit to
the nation. The deal, foreshadowed earlier this week, will allow Skalm's second most important ally in the Maconian region to
upgrade most of its fighter aircraft, improve its ground forces' training and expand its armament programme, a senior official
from the Department of Defence said. While the package constitutes the most Kazulian military aid ever given to the country, it
entails concessions by Telamon's Prime Minister Líly Mosadóttir, according to officials on both sides. Those include Telamon's
promise not to seek additional funds from the Stortinget beyond what will be guaranteed annually in the new package, and to phase out a
special arrangement that has allowed Telamon to spend part of its Kazulian aid on its own defence industry instead of on
Kazulian-made weapons, the officials said. Nearly 10 months of drawn-out aid negotiations underscored continuing friction between
Telamon and Kazulia over the latter's relationship with Kazulia's second most important ally, Lourenne. Kazulia considers
Lourenne to its closest partner in the Dovanian continent and the wider Eastern Hemisphere. But the similarly left-wing Prime
Minister Mosadóttir, in an attempt to launch a bid for the Security Council sought to launch a campaign against Lourenne (who
also went up for the seat and won). A new pact now allows for Telamon to avoid uncertainties surrounding the future and to give
Telamon's defence establishment the ability to plan ahead. The 50 billion memorandum of understanding covers Kazulian fiscal
years 4767 to 4777 and succeeds the current 3 billion MOU signed in the past. Prime Minister Rasmussen stated that she intends on
collapsing the existing Memorandum of Understanding and transforming it into a new, lasting Mutual Defence Treaty, similar to one
held between Kazulia and Lourenne.

[Maxington]

As Kazulia's carriers come out of their modernisation and refit programmes, the Department of Defence has embarked on a new vision.
In what has been heralded as a major shift in defence policy for Kazulia, the Department of Defence announced that the Royal
Kazulian Navy would be disengaging from home-side operations and would be moving towards forward deployment operations under the
banner of Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW). The shift in policy coincides with Kazulia's recent revised foreign policy
strategy which aimed to promote the maintenance of the established global peace and its international presence. On the backdrop
of the relegation of the established Majatran powers to regional power status, namely Vanuku has created a major power vacuum
which defence planners have recognised as being in need of "plugging". Amidst Kazulia's short period of fascist rule, relative
stability has returned to the nation and the wider region and with the international community at a "cross-road", the need for
global stability and peace needed now more than ever. Historically, Kazulia's fleets have maintained a posture of reactionary
deployment; meaning that they will deploy to their forward positions in response to an incident needing the presence of the Royal
Kazulian Navy as a guarantor of order. A conference held by the Trond Heinrichsen Institute for International Affairs discussed
the sentiment of Kazulia's new strategy of peacetime deployment and MOOTW. Chief of Defence of the Kazulian Armed Forces, General
Tormond Prestegard spoke, stressing the importance of global peace, citing the fact that the world's leading nations (it's great
and regional powers) had an obligation to maintain global peace and order.

The idea of peacetime deployment and military operations other than war (MOOTW) aims at deterring war, resolving conflict
and promoting peace through the periscope of military operations. The multinational exercises of the past had executed to
maintain the level of cooperation and understanding necessary in keeping the level of friendliness and not seeing such
friendships devolve into armed conflict. The best way to ensure that through the periscope of the armed forces is to employ a
neighbourly approach to peacetime operations. From multinational exercises to humanitarian operations, the armed forces must
cooperate with all nations regardless of geopolitical standing to ensure that global peace is maintained.

Some of the operations to be executed by this new doctrine, includes humanitarian assistance, security assistance, peace
operations and relationship building. Kazulia's five aircraft carriers have been deployed to Majatra, Artania, Seleya, Dovani and
Macon/Keris as a means of promoting MOOTW operations. Deployment to Majatra would see the introduction of potential multinational
peacetime exercises with the various majatran powers with the aim of promoting cooperation in the region. Hostility between
Kazulia and Vanuku has existed for centuries however, the message being broadcast to the Majatran power is one of cooperation in
the face of global instability. It is no secret to the international community, that the great powers cannot function without
peace. Both Vanuku and Kazulia are well aware of the benefits of global peace and thus, the Department of Defence has called for
continued dialogue between the governments in Wiel and Skalm to ensure that its MOOTW function is effective in ensuring friendly
competition with the great powers that doesn't compromise global peace; competition which doesn't spill over into a global
conflict. However, with Vanuku's relegation to a lower status, Istalia becomes Kazulia's primary partner in the region.
Deployments to Artania, Makon/Keris and Seleya would see the Kazulian Navy become increasingly hands-on with cooperating with the
nations within these regions. Partners such as Dorvik, Aloria, Hutori, Kalistan and Valruzia are prime partners for cooperation.
Specifically, on Dorvik, the remaining power in Artania, MOOTW with the Dorvish Navy have existed for centuries, however General
Prestegard stated that for this new strategy to be effective, Dorvik must become increasingly involved in global affairs.



Deployment in Dovani would see the intensification of Kazulia's efforts in promoting stability in the increasingly unstable
region. With tensions in the region calm, it is Skalm's hopes that the region could now move towards a period of stability and
peace. Kazulia has long championed the sentiment of regional integration, especially within the "Third World". With the nation
pouring billions of kronas into development within the region, to ensure that its investment into the region was worth it, Skalm
is pushing for regional integration which would pave the way for an increased level of development in the undeveloped region. The
Department of Foreign Affairs has stated that it will work with all nations in pushing the idea of regional integration. This
new doctrine outlined jointly by the Departments of Defence and Foreign Affairs encapsulates Kazulia's post-aggressive stance.
With the nation championing a new voice of reconciliation, restraint and resolve it is easy to see that it intends on maintaining
its obligation to the world as a great power to ensure the established peace. Throughout these MOOTW's, Lourenne (Kazulia's
closest ally in the region) is expected to play an increased role. With Kazulia beginning to strengthen its relationship with
nations such as Dankuk, Vascania and others, the potential for the Three Mountains Agreement to restart its operations.

[Aquinas]

Malivian government challenged over increase in South Sea "parrot islands"

[Maxington]

Kalopia's Navy has concluded its bilateral naval exercise off the Kalopian coast with the Royal Kazulian Navy as part of ongoing
efforts to explore new training spaces and opportunities for Kalopia's armed forces. Exercise Barracuda provided the Kalopian
Navy, or KN, with the opportunity to conduct high-end exercises of substantial scope and complexity and featured advanced warfare
training across the full spectrum of anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-air warfare, according to the Department of Defence.
KN assets at the exercise included frigates, patrol boats and tank landing craft. The Royal Kazulian Navy was represented by the
5th Fleet which contained a suite of combatant vessels and aircraft. A Royal Kazulian Navy multimission maritime warfare aircraft
and helicopters operated by the Kalopian Navy conducted anti-submarine warfare exercises alongside search and rescue operations.
A statement from the Department of Defence noted that the Kazulian Navy was extremely committed to ensuring that Kalopia's Armed
Forces remained a capable fighting force with an extremely vast knowledge of traditional and contemporary tactics/strategies. In
recognising that Kalopia had been sold Dovani-3 anti-ship missiles in the past, the exercise also focused on anti-ship warfare.
Mainly, the two navies shot anti-ship missiles at an abandoned barge to simulate a combatant vessel. A statement by the
Department of Defence said that the target engaged by the missiles was located over the horizon.

Exercise Barracuda highlights the longstanding maritime partnership between the Royal Kazulian Navy and the Kalopian Navy through
centuries of annual bilateral exercises. Commodore Christoffer Kopperud, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier HKMS-Kazulia
(the lead-ship of the 5th Fleet) said the exercise “provided a unique opportunity for both navies to interact and engage in a
broader and more complex range of maritime scenarios and operations.” The Commodore highlighted the value of the exercise in
enhancing professionalism and interoperability among the two navies, noting that “the operating environment in Kalopia and the
wider Majatran region gave us the opportunity to hone our edge and push our operational envelopes.” The Southern Majatran nation
of Kalopia is a close security cooperation partner of Kazulia and has been a beneficiary of Kazulian defence aid for centuries,
hosting a rotational deployment of the 5th Fleet to the region as well as logistics support units and facilities for transiting
Kazulian aircraft through the Ellinor-Ketelsen Airbase. When asked to comment on the recent manoeuvres of three (3) nations in
response to the presence of the 5th Fleet in the region, Commodore Kopperud said: "Manoeuvres of that nature as usually done to
bait a response or to intimidate. But every nation is well within their rights to conduct exercises with their respective
partners thus we see no problem. We have AWACS operating to ensure that the chances of a military miscalculation are extremely
low. The fleet continues to distance itself from states who seek confrontation. Whilst we continue to conduct our training
exercises and will leave gesturing and sabre rattling to others."

Prime Minister Linda Rasmussen recognised Kalopian once-again as an extra-regional ally of the Kingdom in democracy, having
promised significant financial and security assistance amidst the nation's turnover from communism to social democracy. The Prime
Minister, on the background of Kalopia's shift towards social democracy, has taken to the diplomatic channel to voice support for
Kalopia's social-democratic government. Amidst the reorganisation of the foreign policy strategy of the Kingdom, the title of an
extra-regional ally is the first of many changes to how Kazulia interacts via its foreign policy. According to statements from
the Department of Foreign Affairs, the title/label of "Extra-Regional Ally" enables a nation to benefit from certain financial,
diplomatic and security related amenities. Amongst the most important of these amenities is a security commitment between the two
nations whereby Kazulia and the nation in question would be bound to a mutual defence and security assistance agreement. Nations
with a similar "Extra-Regional Ally" status include Kanjor and Keymon, however, the latter was stripped of such a status. Prime
Minister Rasmussen stated that Kalopia's develop, both in the area of defence and economics will continue to be supported by the
Kingdom of Kazulia well into the future.