Natrax took the microphone and wiped the sweat from her forehead. She wondered if the heat of Xæth ran through the nation's politics much in the way the cold was representative of Nyx'. She stilled herself, in someways she felt she was in a pit of vipers. She cleared her throat and began.
"In many ways, recent meetings of the Coalition Delegation have echoed the words of the Celestial Empress. For years, we have been embroiled in the famous, “Nyx First,” policy. Our state concerned itself with what was inside our borders and ignored the outside world. During this time, with little regulation or direction, our economy flourished. This was our major, or as some would say our sole, connection to the world. But we have not abandoned our previous policy, rather adapted it. Nyx looks forward to the future with could perhaps be described roughly as “Aranye First.” Aranye is a complex continent with numerous issues. Starting in the East, we have the question of the two states of Kaitaine. An issue that all of Mundus seems both keen and scared to poke their heads into. Slava Lavosk developing nuclear weapons, bringing down the ire of the international community. Then there is MidAranye. A sort of mini-continent in its own right. One plagued by economic and wealth disparity- look at Clysperi, another nation that is also rising from isolation. But unlike Xaeth or Nyx, it has to deal with the ravages of its former soviet occupation. To the east, there is Lakhozia and Seaforth. Nations that have bound themselves, and their destinies to foreigners. Where does that leave Xaeth and Nyx? Two nations that are in their own right powerful. Speaking of powerful, there is one important Aranye nation I have left out. And it seems appropriate, given their silence on and lack of willingness to aid Aranye. I speak of course of Achkaerin. The great power in the North. Or I should say superpower.
You see there are three super powers in Mundus, and it’s actually very easy to figure out which three nations these are. They all possess nuclear armaments. Which is an issue for the MAEA to solve. But let’s, for the sake of argument, characterize these nations, very quickly and roughly. Firstly, we have East Moreland, whose influence can best be described through CNN. A massive cross continental supra-state. Moreland exerts and gathers its power through a massive series of international political alliances. It is in a sense everyone's friend and through its soft power, it shapes the world around it. Then you have Rokkenjima, once a traditional and leading player, it has since seen a sharp decline in international allies and reputation. Now it seeks to forge and tie its fate with SANE, a regional power bloc. This union could propel the nations of SANE to take a new interest in international politics. But what about Achkaerin? The Northern superpower, and Aranyan superpower, has in some ways chosen to go at it alone. They have treaties here and there and are a member of a number of international organizations. But they have not chosen an international alliance or a regional one. When it comes to regional politics, Achkaerin seemingly has little connection to Aranye. They have treaties with nations including East Moreland, Vaguzia, Seaforth, Nya Aland, and of course Rokkenjima. Interestingly, I believe Seaforth is the only Aranyan nation on that list.
Granted these are very rough ideas of the superpowers and do not have the nuances that real life affords. But the point I make is that Aranye, as a continent is not a priority. It is a land of annoyances that should be mostly ignored or have minimal effort put in. Tamora was sanctioned and that was the end of it. Achkaerin, like most of Mundus, hasn't even taken an official stance on the Theocracy of Kaitine. What some call a terrorist group that occupies the same continent as the Holy Empire. Please do not mistake my words as insults or negatives. I mean to illuminate a glaring problem, one that I believe is systemic. The problem is that there is a sphere of those nations that belong and those that don't. In a sense, the players and the watchers. And what happens when one of the watchers wants to become a player without permission...hmm? Look to Slava or Tamora. In the same sense as before, I am not justifying either nation or their actions. But it is interesting that unlike with the Theocracy, they both saw swift and decisive action when they stepped out of line. But there is a key difference to the Theocracy and the two Aranye nations. The Theocracy is connected to an international religion, the Bene Gesserit, with Chapterhouses in Achkaerin, Kaitine and Ui Ceinnselaig. It is not a watcher or solely Aranyan.
What does any of this have to do with Xæth and Nyx relations you might be wondering? I believe it has everything to do with it. You see, in our modern age, the world is far more interconnected than ever. But we are both emerging from isolation. An isolation that has kept us from connecting in ways other nations have. An isolation that can be used against us. We do not have the connections of the Theocracy to protect us. Unlike it, we are Aranyan solely. What do we know of the complexities of international politics? How can we possibly understand the history involved? I fear that both Xæth and Nyx have been labelled watchers. And I fear that should either of us make a move too out of line of the designation that has been thrust upon us we will face consequences. So, I say to our sister-nation, our continental neighbor, very clearly and for all to hear, we will not turn on you. We will not damn you. Aranye is not going to accept being trampled over anymore. Nyx seeks nothing but friendship and unity with the Celestial Empire."