MAJATRA IN A NEW AGEA Kafuri mosque at sunset
September 16th, 3658
By James Hofman, Chief Foreign Correspondent for the Belgae Post
In the never ending sea of change that is Majatra, the tides and currents of the region are once again changing and are doing so in typical Majatran fashion. Over decades the Augustan Empire was THE power of the Majatra but now it is no more. A relic discarded in a heartbeat like one throws out a broken tool. It seems typical in Majatran regional politics that once mighty empires like that can die so quickly and bring about a generation of warfare and chaos that allows another player in the game to rise only to seem them fall soon afterwards.
A little over 150 years ago we were in a similar situation. The chaos of the Deltarian Civil War led many to think that its regime would not last long, one being built on fear and imperialism but alas it proved more than effective. The Lake Majatra Wars (in Zardugal called the Second and Third Great Majatran Wars) were more than the futile effort they became by Zardugal to stop or at least check the rise of Deltaria and its Holy Alliance, they were fought also to fill a power vacuum that swept the continent. By the time things settled down in the 3520's Jakania had seen a succession of governments, Cobura had been invaded twice, Zardugal was humiliated and left for dead, Deltaria achieved unparalleled power and Kalopia was also scene of a violent civil war between the ethnic Kalopians and there seemingly forever archenemy, the Wantuni.
That calm was broken in the later half of the 3500's with the collapse of Deltaria into civil war. Zardugal of course smelling blood in the water quickly exerted its force, bombing rebel movements, securing ports in Deltaria and placing "peacekeepers" in Doron Akigo. Then the first monarchy moved south and quickly overran Cobura and Jakania and created a Pax Zard. Unfortunately the time was not right and the monarchy was swept aside. A new family was installed and the Augustan Empire was later born. Now with the collapse of the Augustan Empire, the Majatran "power vacuum"' must be filled, but by who? Well what is the current situation in Majatra?
THE NORTHNorthern Majatra is more or less in chaos. Beiteynu is in total anarchy while Pontesi too is without a functioning central government. Tribes and local warlords fight for power but no one is strong enough to prevail. Barmenia is still licking its severe wounds from the Augustan Wars but as of now can be considered to be the neighborhood player, if by default though given the strange attachment to the Felinist religion, its appeal and potential as a major Majatran power player remain limited. Unless they partner with another nation they will be confined to managing the chaos to their north and Vanuku to the south.
THE ISLANDSCildania City in the evening (ooc: I modeled it after Beirut given the Syriac/Lebanese description of the nation)
While the rise of a major Majatran power player from these three nations (Selucia, Cildania and Badara) remains low there have been some interesting role reversals at play here. Selucia, a country known for its stability and steep sense of history and culture (it being the home of much of the Western and even Majatran worlds culture and language) has been plagued by various communist and leftist risings and disturbances. While the Conservative government maintains a tight grip on power, the leftist movements show change can come at any moment and likely will have to be reckoned with.
Meanwhile in Badara, things are the most stable they've been in years. A new central government and monarch are in power and many development schemes have been launched to bring the country into the modern world. While troublesome Badara is always tough to pin down it seems rather strange to see one of the most stable nations in Majatra trade places with a perennially unstable Badara.
Cildania meanwhile is still status quo and will likely remain a middle ranking nation. However it could play an important role if several competitors emerge in Majatra, then look for them to be courting Cildania who could tip the balance of power in any way.
EAST MAJATRAKalopian village on the southern coast
While trying not be cynical there are several new trends developing and old ones continuing in East Majatra. Istalia continues its benign neglect of continental affairs, a position afforded to it by its near geographic isolation while Solentia has come under new management who advocate a more isolationist sediment than is previously thought of for Solentia. Kalopia has and will continue to be a basket case of problems of all sorts and none of these three nations look likely to become the next great Majatran nation.
There is one outlier though. Kafuristan in recent decades has seen a surge not common in recent times. A new government backed up and intertwined with the army has been able to stabilize the country and it has survived some major domestic hurdles to clear. Though far from currently being a Majatran power player it looks to have a firm base from which to grow.
WEST MAJATRAEastern Majatra too has its share of problems. Deltaria is in no position to exert influence abroad given domestic economic troubles, however it is not in a life threatening situation currently. The country has a lot of ground to make up and while probable to be part of any coalition it looks unlikely to be the new power bearer in Majatra.
Jakania, the unstable, often deadly nation is like a black hole. It can hardly stabilize itself and outside powers can only tolerate the maddening intrigue of Jakanian politics for so long before they often give up and leave. Currently the nation is trying to determine its future. And by that I mean which part of the vicious cycle of foreign domination, monarchy, military dictatorship or fanatical religious theocracy it wants to be a part of next. Yet despite its often weak position, Jakania often is on the winning side of coalitions and can pose as a major impediment to any coalition. Its sizeable (though poor quality) military has often played a decisive role in Majatran affairs by accident or purpose or as is most likely a mix of both. It was Jakanian troops that bought time for the Czar by holding back the Zards long enough in the Lake Majatra Wars (Zardic commanders of the time even begrudgingly said the army gave a decent account of itself at the Battle of Harji which delayed the Zardic timetable by crucial weeks) and it was Jakanian troops that formed an important part of the Augustan Empire and during the Jelbic wars managed to fight back against the invader. I expect Jakania to be aggressively courted by any power player here and I predict they will be on the winning side, as happens to be their luck on international affairs.
Cobura, their western neighbor will most likely be an accessory to Zardugal should they be able to mount a comeback. While many in Cobura protest the designation of the country as a lackey of Zardugal, they have become one of the staunchest allies to the nation and given the historical and ethnic ties this should remain.
Finally there is Zardugal herself. Her moment under the Sun as the Augustan Empire proved what she is capable of. Yet is also shows how quick the mighty can fall. Zardugal is in ruins and needs to begin reconstruction now if it hopes to compete again.
Two other nations, Jelbania and Vanuku also fall into this category. Jelbania, while stable is more concerned about domestic politics at the moment and regardless to say Jelbania has recently played the role of ally and independently most likely wont become the next power player. Then of course there is Vanuku. The one nation that hardly changes and largely keeps to itself. Vanuku is stable, prosperous and has a well respected military along with contacts from Luthori and respect worldwide. Yet it choses to remain the hermit of Majatra.
CONCLUSIONUnless Vanuku wakes up and decides to become a regional power player, Kafuristan looks most likely to be the new Majatran power player. Its stable, has a well trained army and has long been a centre of Ahmadist power and prestige. If it can play its cards right Kafuristan might well be a new Majatran power. The only possible competitors are Vanuku (unlikely), maybe Deltaria (unlikely) or a re-vitalized Zardugal. However given the amount of repair that needs to be done to my country, it is safe to say that Kafuristan now has its best opportunity to push its influence. Selucia is too distracted, Solentia, Istalia and Vanuku all suffer from a strain of isolationism, Deltaria is weak while both Kalopia and Jakania are too embroiled in domestic turbulence to be anything major while Barmenia is but a distant nuisance to the north. Cobura and Jelbania similarly are no major threat and indeed hardly power players on their own.