ROAD TO ARMAGEDDON V1.0 GAME MASTER’S HANDBOOK © 1997-2002 by Phil McGregor ISBN 0-9581950-1-3 PGD #102 Published by: PGD 1 Park Street Harbord NSW Australia 2096 [email protected] Cover Art: Jeff Hebert Interior Art: The Internet * PD Clip Art (various) Jeff Hebert (pg. #6.1) Playtesting: The gang at the NSW Wargamers * All art included in this book, except where indicated above, is from sources that are believed to be in the public domain or which specifically indicate that the photo- graphs or other artwork they contain are copyright free. If you believe that any of the illustrations herein are copyright, please contact PGD at the above address and the offending material will be removed from the master file immediately (the wonders of the digital age!). Dedication: This game supplement is dedicated to the memory of my father, Bevan George McGregor (1913- 1999) who never really understood what it was I did on my weekends and in much of my spare time (a lot of it sitting before a computer screen, which he didn’t really understand, either) for the last 30 years or so, but was always supportive of whatever it was I did. A great father and a really nice guy. I miss you a lot. W I HERE DO F I ? IND T S TASK FORCE NYB-29 .................................. 3.2 E The Convoy ................................................ 3.2 C The Escorts .................................................. 3.2 R The Troopships ............................................ 3.2 Merchantmen ............................................ 3.3 O Miscellaneous Vessels ............................... 3.3 N F Salvage Tugs .............................................. 3.3 O Ground Forces ........................................... 3.3 K 667th Light Motorised Brigade ................. 3.3 TI S 665th Light Infantry Brigade ...................... 3.4 C JAPAN AND RUSSIA ..................................... 1.2 A 17th Combined Special Forces Group ... 3.4 3/3rd Mechanised Regiment ................... 3.4 U AN ALLIANCE IS FORMED ...............................1.2 T Group Vulcan ............................................ 3.4 D THE MIDDLE EAST AND ISLAM..........................1.2 E 809th (Composite( Heavy Engineering Bat- O THE SPREAD OF ISLAMIST FUNDAMENTALISM ..... 1.2 H talion ........................................................... 3.5 THE “WESTERN ALLIANCE” ............................ 1.3 AR-8 Jason .................................................. 3.5 R THE END OF THE BEGINNING .......................... 1.3 T UNEXPECTED ALLIES ..................................... 3.5 T THE PROBLEM SPREADS ................................. 1.3 Rigel, Platte and Wilson ............................ 3.5 N THE WAR BEGINS ......................................... 1.3 652nd Mechanised Infantry ..................... 3.5 I SAUDI COUP ............................................... 1.3 1656th Independent Ranger Company . 3.5 REVENGE IS A DISH BEST SERVED COLD ........... 1.3 Medical Personnel ..................................... 3.5 Armoured Vehicles & Cargo .................... 3.5 GOING NUCLEAR ........................................ 1.3 THE RAIDERS ............................................... 3.6 THE WAR SPREADS ....................................... 1.4 THE HATIKVAH & EILAT ................................ 3.6 CHAOS THEORY .......................................... 1.4 THE LEGION ................................................ 3.6 MUTUALLY ASSURED DESTRUCTION ................. 1.4 THE ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ................ 3.7 AEF Command .......................................... 3.7 AEF HQ ........................................................ 3.7 6067th Base Hospital ................................. 3.7 809th Engineering Brigade ....................... 3.7 3/3rd Mechanised Regiment ................... 3.7 1ST “HAMMARSKOLD” DIVISION ....................3.7 Divisional HQ .............................................. 3.7 901st Artillery Regiment.............................. 3.7 N 1st “Geneva” Motorised Brigade ............ 3.7 O 2nd “Blue Helmets” Light Infantry Bde .... 3.8 7th Cavalry Brigade .................................. 3.9 D RUSSIANS AND JAPANESE ........................... 3.10 D 3RD (ARCTIC) NAVAL INFANTRY BRIGADE .... 3.10 E 1ST REGIMENT, 3RD (GDS) PARACHUTE DIV . 3.10 G THE VLADIVOSTOK CONNECTION ................ 3.11 “COMRADES” IN ARMS ............................. 3.11 A OTHER STRAGGLERS ................................... 3.11 M THE JCF .................................................. 3.12 JCF HQ ...................................................... 3.12 R 723rd Medical Battalion .......................... 3.12 A 1287th “Potemkin” KGB Rifle Battalion .. 3.12 137th Engineer Battalion ......................... 3.12 JCF Production Brigade .......................... 3.12 M 1st Brigade ................................................ 3.12 O DEPARTURE PRIME ........................................ 2.2 2nd Brigade .............................................. 3.12 Uncertainty Factor .....................................2.2 THE GERMANS .......................................... 3.13 R TRANSITION ................................................. 2.2 UNEXPECTED ARRIVALS .............................. 3.13 F Here and Now ........................................... 2.3 The Konigsberg Group ............................ 3.13 D BEGINNINGS ............................................... 2.3 The Berlin Group ...................................... 3.13 A The Great War ........................................... 2.3 KAMPFGRUPPE VALKYRIE ............................ 3.13 Interwar Interlude ...................................... 2.4 KgV HQ & Reserves ................................. 3.13 O World War Two ........................................... 2.4 Brandenburg Special Forces .................. 3.13 Operation Valkyrie .................................... 2.5 1st Cavalry Squadron .............................. 3.13 R Nibelungen ................................................ 2.6 KgV Medical Detachment ..................... 3.13 Nibelungen-Valkyrie Final ......................... 2.6 KgV Engineering Battalion ...................... 3.14 TRANSITION THEORIES ................................... 2.7 1st “Siegfried” Regiment ......................... 3.14 2nd “Germania” Regiment .................... 3.14 Nibelungen-Valkyrie Devices ................... 2.7 The View from the “Other Side” .............. 2.7 DIE KAISERTREUEN ..................................... 3.14 S W CLIMACTIC FACTORS ................................... 6.2 R O GLOBAL WARMING ..................................... 6.2 E What Went Wrong? .................................. 6.3 N D THE RETURN OF THE ICE ................................ 6.3 A Solar Variables ........................................... 6.4 & The Long Winter ........................................ 6.4 E Coastlines & Littorals.................................. 6.4 L E THE AEF .................................................... 4.2 R GEOPHYSICAL FACTORS .............................. 6.5 S Commodore Fuller-Lewis .......................... 4.2 E PLATE TECTONICS ........................................ 6.5 I Lt. (jg) William Fuller-Lewis ......................... 4.3 H Some Notable Consequences ................ 6.5 S Lt. Col. James McDonald ......................... 4.3 THE HUMAN FACTOR ................................... 6.6 I Brigadier William DeLasalle ...................... 4.4 R NUCLEAR WEAPONS EFFECTS ........................ 6.6 Major Auguste Ducourt ............................ 4.4 C Use of Nukes .............................................. 6.6 Lt. Col. David Kennedy ............................. 4.5 KINETIC KILL WEAPONS ................................ 6.7 Sgan Aluf Ezau Isharov .............................. 4.5 Use of Kinetic Kill Weapons ...................... 6.7 Lt. Col. William Forrest III ............................ 4.6 THE JCF .................................................... 4.7 EURASIA: 27000 ........................................ 6.8 General Mayor Ivan Kenekov .................. 4.7 RECORDS OF SURVIVAL ................................ 6.9 Taisa Hiro Nizukume ................................... 4.7 HUMAN STRUCTURES .................................. 6.10 Podpolkovnik Alexei Suvorovovich ......... 4.8 CIVIL ENGINEERING SURVIVAL .................... 6.11 Shosa Kenji Tanaka ................................... 4.9 ECOLOGICAL FACTORS .............................. 6.12 Chief Engineer Hiro Osame ...................... 4.9 THE PLANT KINGDOM ................................ 6.12 Podpolkovnik Pyotr Petrovich ................ 4.10 Pseudo-Sequoia “Gigantens” ............... 6.11 KAMPFGRUPPE VALKYRIE ............................ 4.10 Ampertama Mayehalma ...................... 6.11 Generalmajor Von Adlerhof .................. 4.10 Yathapeytro Ayathros ............................ 6.12 Korvettenkapitan Egon Schmidt ........... 4.11 Apleeshstay Sohl’plash .......................... 6.12 Major Michael Kraehe ............................ 4.11 Apleeshtay Fateyoh ............................... 6.12 Hauptsturmfuhrer Georg Luther ............. 4.12 Merentso Fateyoh ................................... 6.12 Major Lukas Wolff .................................... 4.12 TIME FOR REFLECTION ................................ 6.13 THE KAISER’S OWN .................................... 4.12 THE SEVEN DOMAINS ................................ 6.14 Fregattenkapitan Siegfried Kraehe ....... 4.12 PREHISTORY .............................................. 6.14 COSMOLOGY ........................................... 6.14 S The Creation of the World ..................... 6.14 C The First Intelligent Races........................ 6.14 I THE BETRAYAL ........................................... 6.14 T S THE IMPACT OF LOGISTICS ............................ 5.2 THE CONFEDERATE PANTHEON .................... 6.15 I BUILDING LOCAL INDUSTRY ........................... 5.4 War Among the Gods ............................ 6.15 G THE DESIGN PROCESS ................................... 5.4 The Tide Turns ........................................... 6.16 O Prototypes .................................................. 5.4 THE BEGINNING OF TIME ............................ 6.16 L MASS PRODUCTION ..................................... 5.5 THE CONFEDERACY OF EQUALS .................. 6.17 & Limited Production .................................... 5.5 SHAKOTA THEYANA’A (THE DARK DEATH) .... 6.18 Limited Mass Production .......................... 5.5 The End of the Dream? .......................... 6.18 N USING HIGH LEVEL TOOLS & MACHINES ......... 5.5 HELL ON EARTH ........................................ 6.18 O Using Special Purpose Tools & Machines 5.6 THE ARRIVAL OF THE TASK FORCE ................ 6.19 Production Efficiency Multiples ................ 5.6 THE CONFEDERATE MILITARY........................ 6.20 TI High Tech Items ......................................... 5.6 THE LEVIED MILITIA .................................... 6.20 C INFRASTRUCTURE ...........................................5.7 RESERVE MILITIA ....................................... 6.20 U Skilled Workers ........................................... 5.7 THE HEARTHGUARD ................................... 6.20 D PHYSICAL PLANT .......................................... 5.8 WOMEN IN THE SERVICE ............................. 6.20 O Initial Plant and Equipment ...................... 5.8 Sexual Relations ...................................... 6.20 Copying Existing Equipment .................... 5.8 R MILITARY ORGANISATION .......................... 6.21 Synergy ....................................................... 5.8 P WHAT’S AVAILABLE LOCALLY ........................ 5.9 UNIFORMS ............................................... 6.21 Reserve & Levied Militia ......................... 6.21 The AEF ....................................................... 5.9 Hearthguard ............................................ 6.21 The JCF ..................................................... 5.10 Special Forces ......................................... 6.21 Kampfgruppe Valkyrie ............................ 5.10 SAMPLE INDUSTRIES ........................... 5.10-5.14 RANK INSIGNIA ........................................ 6.21 Branch of Service Insignia ...................... 6.22 VEHICLE OPERATIONS IN THE SEVEN DOMAINS 5.14 Regimental Insignia ................................ 6.23 INFRASTRUCTURE ........................................ 5.14 Brigade Insignia........................................ 6.23 Fuel & Spares ........................................... 5.14 Divisional Insignia..................................... 6.23 Building What’s Needed ........................ 5.14 Shield Insignia .......................................... 6.23 THE AEF ................................................... 5.14 ARMOUR ................................................. 6.23 THE JCF ................................................... 5.14 Confederate Infantry Helmet ................ 6.23 Availability of Spares ............................... 5.14 Confederate Cavalry Helmet ............... 6.23 EVERYWHERE ELSE ...................................... 5.15 Autarchic Cylindrical Helmet ................ 6.23 IMPORTED VEHICLES & SPARES .................... 5.15 Brotherhood Bioplast Helmet ................. 6.24 LOCALLY PRODUCED VEHICLES SPARES ........ 5.15 Rover Marine Helmet .............................. 6.24 FUEL SOURCES AND SUPPLIES ....................... 5.15 Bronze Mail .............................................. 6.24 Considerations of Scale .......................... 5.15 Cheap Scale Armour ............................. 6.24 Diesel Fuel ................................................ 5.15 Standard Scale Armour .......................... 6.24 Gasoline/Petroleum Fuel ........................ 5.15 Lamellar Armour ...................................... 6.24 PRODUCTION STATS ........................... 5.16-5.28 Lamellar and Mail Armour...................... 6.24 Woven Bioplast Curaiss .......................... 6.24 W S Smugglers ................................................. 7.17 A Large Unit ................................................. 7.17 O Brotherhood/Special Forces Armour .... 6.25 R Militia ......................................................... 7.17 Moulded Bioplast Armour ....................... 6.25 N Heavy Bioplast Armour ........................... 6.25 T ELITE AND SPECIAL GROUPS ........................ 7.18 X ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS................................. 7.19 Shield, Medium ........................................ 6.25 D Shield, Large ............................................ 6.25 E ITEM ENCOUNTERS ..................................... 7.19 N MELEE WEAPONS ....................................... 6.26 People ...................................................... 7.19 Espaa’t’aa ............................................... 6.26 & Type ........................................................... 7.19 A Espaa’t’oh ................................................ 6.26 Weapons .................................................. 7.19 Goods ....................................................... 7.19 Tsa’ably’taa ............................................. 6.26 S E Sha’bl-a Asko’t ........................................ 6.26 R Village ....................................................... 7.19 R Shontoron ................................................. 6.26 E Ruined Village .......................................... 7.19 Farm .......................................................... 7.19 E Sh’vy-eht’ ................................................. 6.26 T Ruined Farm ............................................. 7.20 H Ta’asa’an-t’ ............................................. 6.26 N Outpost ..................................................... 7.20 Zhta'aa'leh't' ............................................. 6.27 U Supply Dump ............................................ 7.20 Vha'rexxa Rhu's'aa .................................. 6.27 MISSILE WEAPONS ..................................... 6.27 O Abandoned Supply Dump ..................... 7.20 Minor Fortification .................................... 7.20 Arr’oo'tzee ................................................ 6.27 C Abandoned Minor Fortification ............. 7.20 Crossbows ................................................ 6.27 Major Fortification .................................... 7.20 Mah'shaa Ba'har-el ................................. 6.27 N Derelict Transport ..................................... 7.20 Pah'ja'a Tso'leh ........................................ 6.28 E Derelict Convoy ....................................... 7.20 Pah'yehz nya Zhmer'esh ......................... 6.28 EXTRAS .................................................... 7.21 Ta’ka ......................................................... 6.28 PLAYER CHARACTERS (PCS) ....................... 7.21 NON-PLAYER CHARACTERS (NPCS) ............ 7.21 S ENCOUNTERS ............................................... 7.2 NPC Attributes .......................................... 7.21 A REGIONS .................................................... 7.2 Experience ............................................... 7.21 Allocating Experience ............................. 7.21 R Core Region ............................................... 7.2 Dividing up Experience Dice .................. 7.21 T Abandoned (Independent) Region ....... 7.3 STANDARD EXTRAS ............................ 7.21-7.36 X Isolated Region .......................................... 7.3 Marches Region ........................................ 7.4 E Lawless Region .......................................... 7.5 Y DOMESTIC ANIMALS .................................... 8.2 & Ravaged Region ....................................... 7.6 R Aurochs ....................................................... 8.2 Borderlands Region ................................... 7.6 A Cats, Hunting ............................................. 8.3 Protected (Garrisoned) Region ............... 7.6 S Dogs, Domestic .......................................... 8.3 BASE GOVERNMENT TYPE .............................. 7.7 I R T Dogs, Hunting ............................................. 8.4 E Centralised Bureaucracy ......................... 7.7 S Ferrets .......................................................... 8.4 T Strong Feudal ............................................. 7.7 E FOOD ANIMALS .......................................... 8.5 N Weak Feudal .............................................. 7.7 B Cattle .......................................................... 8.5 City States .................................................. 7.7 Chicken ...................................................... 8.5 U Unorganised ............................................... 7.7 Ducks .......................................................... 8.5 O TERRAIN TYPES ............................................. 7.7 Geese ......................................................... 8.5 Virgin Forest ................................................ 7.7 Goats .......................................................... 8.5 C Forest .......................................................... 7.7 Sheep .......................................................... 8.5 N Woods ......................................................... 7.7 Swine/Pigs ................................................... 8.5 Rough ......................................................... 7.7 E Hills ............................................................... 7.8 WILD ANIMALS ........................................... 8.6 Aurochs ....................................................... 8.6 Foothills ....................................................... 7.8 Badgers ....................................................... 8.6 Mountains ................................................... 7.8 Bear, Black .................................................. 8.7 Peaks .......................................................... 7.8 Bear, Brown ................................................ 8.7 Passes ......................................................... 7.8 Boar, Wild .................................................... 8.8 Swamps ...................................................... 7.8 Cat, Wild ..................................................... 8.8 Open .......................................................... 7.8 Cat, Hunting, Wild ..................................... 8.9 Track ........................................................... 7.8 Cat, Great Hunting .................................... 8.9 Road ........................................................... 7.8 Dog, Wild .................................................. 8.10 All Weather Road ...................................... 7.8 Elephant, Small ........................................ 8.10 Military All Weather Road ......................... 7.8 Goats, Mountain ...................................... 8.11 Water Obstacles ........................................ 7.8 Wolves ....................................................... 8.11 USING THE TABLES ........................................ 7.9 BIOCONSTRUCTS ........................................ 8.12 TABLES .............................................. 7.9-7.14 Ba’tsa-yo (Paralyzers) .............................. 8.12 GROUP ENCOUNTERS ................................. 7.15 Caash-teyaluu (Lurker in Shadows) ....... 8.13 Number .................................................... 7.15 Czh’ye-aa (Grey Howlers) ...................... 8.13 Type .......................................................... 7.15 Eyh’hrra Gazh’ii (Hive Rat) ...................... 8.15 Weapons .................................................. 7.15 Kshatrya (Bat Lizard) ................................ 8.16 Transport ................................................... 7.15 La’tha-ee Mes’a (Dire Wolf) ................... 8.16 GROUP ENCOUNTER DESCRIPTIONS .............. 7.15 Nhe’ka Khra (Armoured Claw) .............. 8.17 Bandits ...................................................... 7.15 Nyhma-Zhu (Moa) ................................... 8.17 Patrol ......................................................... 7.15 Pahalaa Tazyu (Black Wave) ................. 8.18 Military Convoy ........................................ 7.16 Sha’peyz (Furry Thief) .............................. 8.18 Merchant Convoy ................................... 7.16 Sha-la Mho’a (Horned Death) ............... 8.19 Refugees .................................................. 7.17 T’sa-vri (Watchers) ................................... 8.20 Slavers ....................................................... 7.17 Tseyra M’ryish (Black Fur) ........................ 8.20 Hunters ...................................................... 7.17 Vesh’avva (Messenger Bird) .................. 8.21 Brigands .................................................... 7.17 Yah’laa (Silent Assassin) .......................... 8.21 Y R R E A E CREATURES ............................................... 8.23 T I T T Khy’e An’tro (Forest Men) ...................... 8.23 E S O’a tzra’I (Flat Faces).............................. 8.23 String of Pearls ........................................... 9.8 Z E Tz’aa Shayo (Great Dragons) ................ 8.24 Tash’lya ...................................................... 9.8 A B Yag’l’aa Nya’aa (Great Eagles) ........... 8.26 Telaysha Ster’ya ........................................ 9.8 Yikwa Tsaapa An’tro (Horse-Men) ......... 8.28 G The Other Side ........................................... 9.8 MECHANICALS .......................................... 8.29 Tlo’cha ....................................................... 9.8 G’yo’ya (Screamers) .............................. 8.29 Tragah’va .................................................. 9.8 Combat Screamers ................................. 8.30 Tsa’she ........................................................ 9.9 Kee’la-sh’aa (Hell Birds) .......................... 8.31 T’sha’ya Keep ........................................... 9.9 Lizhya-Toh’nya (Foot Fighters) ................ 8.32 U’rsha Keep ............................................... 9.9 Ma-ro’tsa Rant’ra (Bronze Man) ............ 8.33 Vaga’zha ................................................... 9.9 Ya’eh-to O’nys (Dark Killer) .................... 8.34 Vent’ya-Tul’khla ........................................ 9.9 ABOMINATIONS ......................................... 8.35 Vin’yta ........................................................ 9.9 Lash’eh-ya (Unliving Lords) ..................... 8.35 Westernport ............................................. 9.10 M’she-ya (Unliving Warriors) ................... 8.36 West Light ................................................ 9.10 Ts’aa-lo (Bone Men) ................................ 8.37 Yarekh’s Tower ........................................ 9.10 Tsa’a’lya (Ghouls) .................................... 8.37 Yaz’pyt’ya ............................................... 9.10 T’zho Tshti’I (Walking Corpses)................ 8.38 Zh’sha’li, Halls of ...................................... 9.10 (cid:84) Designer’s Comments R GAZETEER ................................................... 9.2 E A’athra ....................................................... 9.2 The Player’s Handbook covered all the information E AEF Camp .................................................. 9.2 that both the players and the GM need to know – the T Ahgra’a’s Doom ........................................ 9.2 Game Master’s Handbook contains the information T Autarch’s Keep........................................... 9.2 that you, the Game Master, needs to know. E Aydash ....................................................... 9.2 Z Ayh’ga’ab ................................................. 9.2 There is no reason why a player shouldn’t read it, A Bah’stra ...................................................... 9.2 except insofar as it will reduce their enjoyment. It is G Cauldron, The ............................................ 9.3 really meant for the Game Master – really. Cauldron, Edge of the .............................. 9.3 Cauldron, Lip of the .................................. 9.3 One of the fun things about rewriting the back- Chyl’sha ..................................................... 9.3 ground for Road to Armageddon for the EABA rules Circle’s Sister .............................................. 9.4 was that it was so easy – I’ve run a fair few games Crescent Moon .......................................... 9.4 over the years, not all of which were under game Crossroads/Center .................................... 9.4 systems that I eventually decided I liked. And I’ve Dah’nesh .................................................... 9.4 wanted to run games under a lot more systems, but Des’sha ....................................................... 9.4 East Light .................................................... 9.4 haven’t been able to find players who liked the Ekha’sha ..................................................... 9.4 background enough. Eo’ly’zta ...................................................... 9.4 EABA, though, is easy – and, what’s more, it’s ele- Er’yo ............................................................ 9.5 Gan’esh ...................................................... 9.5 gant. And it is just as easy to write even completely Great North Road ..................................... 9.5 off the wall stuff as Road to Armageddon for it as it Great Shoreline Road ............................... 9.5 would be to write the most mundane Generic Fan- Guardian of the Reaches ........................ 9.6 tasy. Horns of the Bull ......................................... 9.6 Iron Highway .............................................. 9.6 The material contained in the GM’s Handbook is JCF Base Camp ......................................... 9.6 the basic information on the background of Road to Kampfgruppe Valkyrie .............................. 9.6 Armageddon that will enable a GM to get a game The Keyhole ................................................ 9.6 up and running, but more complete information will Kha’lu .......................................................... 9.6 be available in follow-on books, including the Gen- Kha’shluk .................................................... 9.6 eral Equipment Catalog (a comprehensive guide to Khlas’pat .................................................... 9.6 all modern era equipment, imported or locally pro- Long Harbour ............................................. 9.6 Lost Gods, Temple of the .......................... 9.6 duced), The Road to the Sea (an introductory series of Lost Ones, Mountains of the ..................... 9.6 linked scenarios forming a mini-campaign), and The Lo’tey’aa .................................................... 9.6 Seven Domains (which covers “here and now” in all Mee’dya .................................................... 9.6 the detail you could possibly want). Mer’yen ...................................................... 9.7 North Landing ............................................ 9.7 Just remember, Surrender is NOT an option! North Pharos .............................................. 9.7 – Phillip McGregor, September-October 2002 Nukhol’ ....................................................... 9.7 Old Coast Road ........................................ 9.7 Outer Anchorage ...................................... 9.7 Ozh’tra ........................................................ 9.8 Pahlov’o ..................................................... 9.8 Pah’resh ...................................................... 9.8 Ryl’sha ........................................................ 9.8 Saelaeynya ................................................ 9.8 South Pharos .............................................. 9.8 String of Pearls ............................................ 9.8 ARMAGEDDON N O I T C U D O R T N I 1.1 The collapse of the Russian Communist ARMAGEDDON regime and its replacement with a theoretically “The Economic and Trade Recovery Act will re- N gain the jobs of thousands of American workers democratic one in the last decade of the 20th … jobs that have been taken … no, not taken, O jobs that have been stolen by the devious and century led to massive geopolitical economic I immoral actions of the Imperial Japanese gov- T C ernment. instability throughout the world. U For decades we have let them do this to us … D believing that “fair play” would eventually en- No longer constrained by the straitjacket of able us to achieve a fair trading relationship. O R artificial, cold-war mandated, policies, We have now realised that this is simply never T going to happen. The Japanese do not now, N governments everywhere sought to express their and never have had, any intention of “playing I fair.” own policies, not merely those that be tolerated On that basis I am glad to announce that the by the superpowers. Senate has approved the Bill and that the Presi- dent has indicated he will approve it within the hour. Everyone more or less expected the fallout of Let the Japanese suffer the consequences of the terrorist attacks against the US on 11 SEP 01 to their actions.” – President pro tem, US Senate cause problems – a regional war in the Middle (cid:84) AN ALLIANCE IS FORMED – Russo-Japanese ties East, at the very least – but, just as the Balkan became closer as they realised how much they had in common – the Russians smarted under what they Wars of 1912 had not resulted in a continent span- saw as the arrogant behaviour of the US, claiming it was the “Last Superpower” while the Japanese ning war, the US reaction remained a localized were outraged by “racist” US policies that prevent- ing free access to US markets. matter. This common feeling led to the signing of the (cid:84) JAPAN AND RUSSIA – The real trigger for war Russo-Japanese Military and Economic Co- operation Acts in 2008 and the fatal Economic and started sfter an extended period of governmental Trade Recovery Acts of 2010, which started a dev- instability and economic malaise in the Far East. astating trade war between the Russo-Japanese Japan’s leaders sought to revitalize their ailing Bloc and the US-NATO alliance. economy – by a rapid shift back to the rightist, militaristic, and expansionistic pattern of the pre-war (cid:84) THE MIDDLE EAST & ISLAM – Meanwhile, a series WW2 era. of fundamentalist Islamic instigated assassinations and coups in Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, and Jordan led to Drifting away from her ties with the US, Japan a reshaping of the power structures of the Middle aligned herself with the struggling bureaucratic East. pseudo-democracy that was Russia, stabilising the shaky economy while also opening up an almost The Saudis and the smaller Gulf States, terrified exclusive market for Japanese goods, and under- that they would be overwhelmed, could not even cutting US and European market penetration in the turn to NATO or the US for help because their own Former Soviet Union. people loathed what they saw as Christian “inter- ference” in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Iraqi BMP-3 on Maneuver (cid:84) THE SPREAD OF ISLAMIST FUNDAMENTALISM – The rhetoric of fundamentalism, with its emphasis on the “Great Satan” (the US) and a general anti- western slant, found wider currency than in the Middle East. Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Libya, Tunisia and Morocco all elected (or acquired by means of coup or civil insurrection) fundamentalist regimes which entrenched their totalitarian power structures and enforced virulently anti-western measures. These states banded together to form the Islamic Bloc, and used their economic, diplomatic and mili- 1.2