Politics
We talk everything
elections across Na-
tionStates, from the
South Pacific to the
Communist Bloc to
the Mariner Trench.
Page 4.
Vol. 2 .. No. 1
The archipelago capital islands of the Coalition of the South Pacific were the site of jarring and public revelations on Friday.
Up Close and Personal Interview Series with Wymondham
Up Close and Personal with Cormac Skollvadr
by WYMONDHAM
Welcome to a new feature of
NationStates Today, which I
hope will feature in many an
issue to come. In “Up Close
and Personal”, I will talk to the
most influential players in Na-
tionStates Gameplay about the
issues that matter to them.
Without further ado, here is
the first individual who I have
gone Up Close and Personal
with, and who better to start
The region of Pacifica has been revived lately, presided over by newly-elected WA Delegate Cormac.
Inside the the Cormac inter-
Paper view, South Pa-
cific logs, and TCB
Front Section — Constitutional
Pages 1, 2, and 3 Convention on
Our weekly World page 3.
Assembly Report
and New Regions Politics — Page 4
Showcase, page 2. Delegate elections
in the South Pa-
Continuations of cific, a General
today’s front page Election in the
articles, including Mariner Trench,
NATIONSTATES’ MOST RELIABLE NEWS Front Section
Our first, featuring
“Most Influental
Gameplayer” Cormac
in the new interview
series Up Close and
Personal. Pages 1 and
3.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5th, 2019 ©2019 International News Organization
Discord Logs Implicate Prominent
Raider Figures in Subversion
Attempts Against South Pacific
‘Red Phone’ Leaks Reveal Concerted
Attempt to Undermine TSP Government
by PRARIE “RAHHR”. This would be can-
THE SOUTH PACIFIC — on, as it is how the Army of the
The South Pacific’s intelligence Undead speaks in Game of
service recently ob- Thrones.
tained logs from a channel used The third instance is a conver-
by prominent raiders, called sation featuring McMannia,
The Red Phone. In the package about a year’s worth of logs
of logs, there are 5 instances of from the private discussion
planning to subvert, coup, or space for TSP legislators that
just annoy the Coalition of the was obtained by a spy in TSP,
South Pacific. later revealed to be Aav Verin-
The first instance took place Hall. McMannia discussed how
soon after Drugged Mon- it was taking him a while to
keys won the July 2017 Dele- comb through all the logs. Lat-
gate elections against Seraph er, McMannia and Ever-
(Erinor). Drugged Monkey had Wandering Souls discussed
just passed Tsunamy, the out- how to release the logs. It was
with than the award-winning the NS Gameplay Awards tacts. He is often the first to going Delegate, in endorse- revealed that a NationStates
Most Influential Player in Na- Most Influential Gameplayer find out about information ments, making him officially moderator said the leaks were
tionStates Gameplay, Cormac. award Cormac about both top- from secret Discord servers, the Delegate gameside, but fine as long as they did not re-
—— ics. coup plots and other pieces of there was still merely a 3 en- veal any personal info about
With the recent coming to Cormac has been in Nation- intrigue. Cormac was the first dorsement gap between TSP members. The identity of
prominence of the user- states since February of 2012 person to post the leaks via his Drugged Monkeys, first in en- the moderator who approved
created-region (UCR) Pacifica and since then he has been news organization The Miniluv dos, and Tsunamy, second in the leaks is unknown.
and the ongoing conflict be- Pharaoh of Osiris (one of the Messenger which lead to the endorsements. The fourth instance shows
tween the Anti-Pacific Coali- three Game Created Sinker ongoing conflict that involves Ever-Wandering Souls, the Souls, McMannia, Altino, and
tion (APC) and the New Pa- Regions) thrice. Cormac is the APC fighting against the leader of raider organization others discussing their hate for
cific Order (NPO), NS Today renowned throughout Nation- NPO. With this in mind, I re- The Black Hawks, noticed this The South Pacific, particularly
journalist Wymondham spoke States for his wide-ranging cently sat down with Cormac opportunity and convinced his certain members. Souls tries to
to WA delegate and winner of network of sources and con- CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 fellow raiders to join him on a encourage others to coup TSP
mission to move into The South and McMannia and Souls lay
Pacific and make Tsunamy out their dream for a raider,
delegate, which would have “purist”, TSP.
caused chaos, and maybe even The fifth and final instance
civil war, in the region. TSP’s shows Souls and others panick-
Council on Regional Security ing about the logs from The
noticed this and swiftly eject- Red Phone being leaked, in-
ed McMannia-led HYDRA forc- cluding them trying to find out
es from TSP. who the leaker was. The indi-
The second instance took vidual who leaked the logs is
place a month later, on August still unknown.
29, 2017. Ever-Wandering Souls These logs have been available
came up with an idea to spam to TSP members for weeks but
TSP’s Game of Thrones festival have only recently been
with posts like “GRHWW”, or CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
The Communist Bloc Constitutional Convention —
An End to the People’s Republic?
by NATHANIEL PENROSE region’s history. All in all, the to the establishment of a one-
After nearly two years of rig- Convention seems to be an party three-branch presiden-
orous amendments and debate indicator of a boost to regional tial republic. Throughout the
about the government of the activity and the possible birth existence of this system, a
region, this week the citizens of a new regional government seemingly eternal debate
of The Communist Bloc voted altogether. raged between those against
unanimously in a non-binding the One Party System (OPS)
poll to hold a Constitutional The September Revolution and and those for a No-Party Sys-
Convention and rewrite the The History of People’s Repub- tem (NPS), which later
lic Government
current Constitution of the evolved into a faction for a
In 2016, former First Republic
Bloc. The reason? A change in Multi-Party System (MPS).
President and Former Peo-
political climate and the seem- Up until 2017, this system
ple’s Republic General Secre-
ingly never-ending stream of largely remained in tact, with
tary, Zenny Winter, held what
amendments. Many also cite a Zennyist hardliners continuing
is known to the Bloc as the
desire to distance the Bloc to stress the ideas of the for-
September Revolution; a mas-
from it’s Zennyist past, a com- mer General Secretary (who
sive political upheaval that led
plex and conflictual time in the CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Advertise Your Region Here
and a wild runoff title, “how Nation- simple crossword
with NationStates TODAY
runoff for a by-
election in the
States has mar-
ginalized the
puzzle, including
the full reader’s
Communist Bloc, masses for too poll results. On the
all on page 4. long.” Find it on same page, you
page 5. can find some
Perspectives — notes from
Page 5 Arts — Page 6 NSToday’s two
A native of the Our first edition of editors. Find it all
Communist Bloc the Arts section on Page 6.
goes into detail to includes our first
explain, as refer- puzzle for our Enjoy! Join our Discord server
enced in column’s readers to solve: a for more information.
 NATIONSTATES TODAY. SATURDAY, JANUARY 5th, 2019. FRONT SECTION 2

WORLD ASSEMBLY REPORT — 1/5/2019

SECURITY positionings.” Lyras, which is locat- GENERAL its job as researching and consolidat-
COUNCIL ed in the region of Greater Dienstad, ASSEMBLY ing information on the size, distribu-
AFFAIRS was described as “transcendent of AFFAIRS tion, and characteristics of ground-
the World Assembly’s core princi- water resources, and issuing recom-
Repeal “Commend Solorni” Preventing Groundwater Contami-
ples of promoting international mendations for the protection and
As expected, the resolution to repeal nation
peace, spreading universal goodwill, conservation of these resources for
“Commend Solorni” was passed The resolution “Preventing Ground-
and maintaining healthy diplomatic reliable, long-term use.”
overwhelmingly by the World As- water Contamination,” authored by
discourse between nations from all At the last check, the resolution
sembly, with 79.6% of WA nations in the nation Wallenburg, is likely to
walks of civilization,” according to stands at 88.0% of WA nations in fa-
favor, last Tuesday. The resolution pass in the next 3 and a half days that
the last paragraph of what is now vor and 12.0% of nations against. All
was hastily introduced following it is up for vote.
Security Council Resolution #274. GCR delegates that have voted on the
Solorni’s exit from NationStates The resolution starts off by recog-
Interestingly enough, a repeal reso- resolution have voted in favor. The
following out-of-character confes- nizing that international aquifers are
lution has already been introduced lone holdouts on the “Against” side in
sions. “very common” across the world and
that cites Lyras’ lack of civil rights terms of the delegates are Vancouvia
that most nations depend on them for
bestowed upon its citizens. (votes against all WA resolutions in
Commend Lyras agriculture and other industries, ans
protest), Bluximberg and DiRito-
Commend Lyras was passed over- well as establishing that “few technol-
Condemn The MT Army Opolis (who both represent libertari-
whelmingly by the Security Coun- ogies exist” to fix the problem of con-
“Condemn The MT Army,” which is an regions), and NewTexas, who rec-
cil’s WA voting nations, 86.4% in taminated groundwater.
unlikely to exit the proposal stage, ommended to his fellow Texans that
favor. The resolution, now in the Preventing Groundwater Contami-
condemns the anti-fascist military they vote against the resolution be-
books since today, commends the nation attempts to solve this problem
The MT Army for targeting “non- cause of its establishment of more
nation of Lyras for their “forms of by introducing the International Bu-
fascist regions.” bureaucratic control over nations.
anti-slavery and anti-imperialist reau of Water Safety while assigning

New Regions Showcase — 1/5/2019

by BRIHIMIA posted and the World Factbook gion on the EarthMC Mine-
Northern Oceans Entry has been dashed with craft server. After its founding,
Nations: 21 varying shades of blue, red, they raided the region of Dat-
Founder: Pinky Queen and purple. lov Empire (a sizeable feat for
Founded: 12/29/2018 A short constitution has also a very new region) but were
WA Delegate: none been pinned to the region’s thwarted by the Order of the
WAD Endorsements: n/a WFE. Grey Wardens. (“Spear
Census Records: none Synland Danes”)
The region of Northern Flag pictured right
Oceans was founded 6 days Nations: 14
ago by its founder, Pinky Founder: Syntopiaa OPERATIONAL STAFF
Queen. Founded: 12/30/2018
Northern Oceans, according WA Delegate: Syntopiaa Chairman and Chief Operations Officer
to its World Factbook Entry, WAD Endorsements: 5 Lewis Kuznetsov-Flood
A colorful and detailed
was refounded after the disap- Census Records: Unexpected
World Factbook Entry has
pearance of its first iteration, Death Rates Editor-in-Chief and Chief Content Officer
already been painted with col-
founded in late March 2018. Synland, founded around 6
ors and details of the region’s Brihimia
Also in the World Factbook days ago, is already standing
core principles and recent hap-
Entry, it swears “to be the out among other new regions Chief Legal Officer
penings.
most powerfull region and with a large amounts of activi-
ty going on only a handful of
The current regional poll, Precoixious
leader over the seven seas.”
which gauges support for “Syn
No Discord server has been days after its founding. Raiding Community Correspondent
(argle),” is showing a majority
posted yet, however a flag The region seems to revolve
in support for the deity. Aquila
(pictured below) has been around a religion called
————
“Synism,” where believers
We’d like to remind our read- Regional Correspondent & Opinion Columnist
worship “Syn(argle).”
Synland’s earliest history is
ers that the New Regions Daunlaund
Showcase features the most
well documented in two dis-
populated, non-puppet storage, Gameplay Correspondent & Opinion Correspondent
patches. They explain that
Synland was founded by play-
non-passworded regions Deputy Voroshilov-Vyshinsky
tagged “new,” and nothing else.
ers observing the Synism reli-
The Leftist Assembly Correspondents
Kava and Llo
Communist Bloc Correspondents
Lil’ Stapler, Precoixious, and Nathaniel Penrose
The South Pacific Correspondent
Prarie
Defender Community Correspondent
Sacara
General Staff Writer
Tater
Leftist Community Correspondent
V. Sawyer and Nathaniel Penrose
Gameplay and Mariner Trench Correpsondent
Whatermelons
Osiris Correspondent
Wymondham
Graphics and Publishing Team
Brihimia
Somyrion
Prarie
Llo

INTERNATIONAL NEWS ORGANIZATION

The International News Organization is the parent organi-
zation of the NationStates Today publication and manages
the legal representation and negotiation of agreements in-
volving the NationStates Today publication. Its primary
goal, via its publications, is to spread awareness of the af-
fairs of politics, gameplay, roleplay, and culture in Nation-
States, and to provide a democratically organized commu-
nity media effort that benefits all of its viewers, volunteers,
as well as the overall climate of NationStates.

‘Red Phone’
Leaks Reveal
Concerted
Attempt to
Undermine
South Pacific
Government
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
released to the general NSGP
public. These logs may be brought
up in the appeal to the region’s
High Court’s ruling to overturn
the proscription of Ever-
Wandering Souls.
You may view all the logs here.
Note: on our website, this article
previously, incorrectly, stated
that Xoriet had access to the ‘Red
Phone’ channel. This error has
been removed.
Up Close and Personal with Cormac Skollvadr
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
to talk about a range of issues in-
volving the APC vs NPO war and
his new job as WA delegate of the
up and coming region Pacifica.
Cormac is a very strong believer
in the principles Pacifica was
founded on, which, when com-
bined with his personal belief in
the war against the New Pacific
Order, creates a rather formidable
foundation on which Pacifica can
be built. When asked what he saw
in Pacifica, he had this to say:
“Well, on a personal note I’ve
been friends with Topid for years
now, and after his predicament of
being exiled from his home region
of St Abbaddon, I wanted to help
him build up Pacifica. Aside from
that, I see an opportunity for a
UCR to grow according to demo-
cratic principles, which I think is
something the game needs right
now, and of course, Pacifica is at
war with the NPO so given my
own strongly anti-NPO views it
seemed like a natural fit.”
Cormac has a vital grasp of the GCR. I’ve seen democracy work
fundamental systems of govern- well in TNP, not so well in Osiris.
ment in NationStates and this is I’ve seen stratocracy work well in
coupled with an almost encyclope- The Black Hawks, but republican-
dic knowledge on the various ideo- ism works well in Europeia. So
logies in the game. Cormac has when I say the game needs more
rallied against “Francoism” for UCRs grown according to demo-
many years and as such, it’s not cratic principles, it’s not neces- Cormac has been a major player “The momentum is with the APC. “Thank you! It was nice to be able
surprising that Pacifica will exhib- sarily because the game needs in the ongoing war between the Over the past several years, the to talk candidly about these is-
it a fundamental rejection of that more democracy, but because it Anti Pacific Coalition and the New NPO has had a talent deficit and sues.”
ideology;
““Liberty. Democracy is im-
portant to us as a region, but we
don’t seek to impose it on others
who have alternative systems that
work well for them. We do believe
others should enjoy liberty as a
universal principle though, which
Corrections
Last Saturday’s news-
paper incorrectly stat-
ed that Balder’s gen-
eral endorsement cap
for all nations was set
at 120 endorsements.
120 endorsements is
the cap for Balder’s
Princes (security offic-
ers), and 5 endorse-
ments is the endorse-
ment cap for all other
nations.
NATIONSTATES TODAY. SATURDAY, JANUARY 5th, 2019. FRONT SECTION 3
The Communist Bloc Constitutional Convention –
An End to the People’s Republic?
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 arose to rewrite the entire document citizenry to approve said document. entire document is written and ready
had since left the region) and resist- at once rather than pass dozens of While it is unclear if this will come to for ratification.
ing the change from the MPS support- amendments to slowly dismantle the pass, what we do know is that a bill is
ers. That is, until the election of Gen- Zennyist structures that no longer soon to be proposed to the citizens How?
eral Secretary Martyn Kiryu, a noted agreed with the now largely libertari- outlining the process, schedule, and
and vocal Anarchist member of the an TCB population. even the means by which the Consti- Now, how does one rewrite the whole
tution will be drafted (including if it basis of the government? Simple,
Bloc, and the election of numerous
MPS supporters to the Bloc legisla- The Constitutional Convention: Who, will be done by an elected body) be- pass it as you would an amendment…
How, When, Where?
ture/Central Committee (CC). fore the Convention begins. So far, one to change not just one section or
Upon election, General Secretary Who and When? Bloc notables like Former GS Tra- line, but the whole thing. The current
Kiryu and his allies in the Bloc CC bardia and current GS Nathaniel Pen- and only legal option is to pass the
began working and eventually pass- The Constitutional Convention prom- rose are in support of a Constituent new Constitution using a 2/3rds ma-
ing amendments to the Constitution ises to be one of the biggest events in Assembly, while notables such as jority vote with all citizens, as would
that allowed for multiple parties. TCB history, one that stands to bol- former GS M.M. and former GS any other amendment in TCB.
From there, a series of libertarian ster activity, involve new members, Lil’Stapler seem to stand against
A New Future for TCB
socialist-esque reforms and amend- and redefine the region as a whole.
ments were passed from the end of However, questions have been raised Where?
While it is naturally impossible to see
2017 to the end of 2018. Many of these if the level of activity needed to sus-
With the recent unanimous passage of how these events transpire, many in
included giving citizens the power of tain the Convention is possible. After
the vote to hold a Constitutional Con- the Bloc have faith that no matter how
veto, the creation of recallable dele- all, we are only human and things do
vention, the question remains: how it goes, the Bloc will gain a new, more
gates, and eventually the implementa- naturally become less interesting as
will this be implemented? The current effective, and more representative
tion of direct democracy in the Bloc. time drags on. Different solutions
plan is to host the event on the TCB government. TCB and its allies
In short, by the end of 2018, the Peo- have been raised to combat this possi-
forums, and dedicate specific sub- abroad will be looking closely on the
ple’s Republic government was com- ble problem. One of them, includes
forms to different sections of the doc- developments as the region moves
pletely unrecognizable from its for- electing a Constituent Assembly to
ument. From there, a schedule to into exhilarating and uncharted wa-
mation in 2016. With recent the pro- draft the Constitution on behalf of the
draft and approve each section of the ters.
posal of the 30th Amendment, calls people, and then pass it over to the
Constitution will be followed until the
is why we oppose the NPO’s sources on the tyrannical
chokehold on St Abbaddon The Pacifican constitution is “GCR warfare is all about infor- “protectorate” status of St Abbad-
through their puppet-king Kitsco, somewhat different to others in mation. It’s about getting infor- don, which is diverting attention
why we stand against the tyranny that it splits the executive be- mation to the natives of the Pacific away from the NPO where it’s
the NPO imposes upon the Pacific, tween a Prime Minister who fo- about the long history of tyranny badly needed. There’s no indica-
and ultimately why we are so em- cuses on internal affairs and a perpetrated by the NPO. Of tion any of that is going to stop, or
phatically anti-fascist. Everyone President that focuses on external course, there are other facets to that they’re learning anything
should be relatively free to enjoy affairs, but Cormac thinks that GCR warfare, but if you’re not from their mistakes. The APC is
NationStates in the way of their this system may be coming into waging an information campaign steadily chipping away at the
choosing. No one should be op- vogue: you might as well not bother. The NPO and its hold on the Pacific,
pressed, especially not based on information campaign is some- and the NPO is really doing noth-
arbitrary concepts like “Well, it’s an idea that I’ve heard thing the Coalition forces have ing to counter it.
“Feederite” and “Userite,” the has been proposed in Europeia’s been doing well. We see the re-
dichotomy the NPO has used to reform discussions, and The New sults of it in East Durthang’s ina- The most that has happened in the
demonize its external critics and Inquisition used to have a similar bility to build a high enough en- NPO recently is the NS, CN, and
to silence internal dissent. Pacifica divided executive system and it dorsement count to assume the PNW NPO forums have been
stands for liberty, in stark con- worked well there. I think it’s a Delegacy of the Pacific, which is merged and now, on the NPO fo-
trast to our enemies, who stand good way to let people with differ- an embarrassment for the NPO rum, there isn’t even an applica-
for mass oppression to keep them- ent talents campaign for the office and calls into question their sup- tion process for the NS NPO yet.
selves in power.” that suits their talents. Sometimes posedly invincible hold over the That speaks volumes. It’s
you have someone who is good Pacific. The Coalition should con- all Darkesia said is happening —
When asked about whether he with foreign affairs, military af- tinue to hammer away at the NPO an invasion of our game by play-
feels GCRs or UCRs are best suit- fairs, etc., but not very good with by reaching out directly to the ers of other games. It’s an occupa-
ed to democracy, Cormac wishes integration, culture, media, etc. Or Pacific’s natives, as they’ve al- tion of the Pacific by CN and PNW
to keep an open mind with re- you have someone who’s great at ready been doing with a lot of suc- players. And it couldn’t be more
gards to the many available sys- the latter but doesn’t know any- cess. It’s a long process but ulti- clear. They can’t hold onto the
tems of government. thing about or isn’t at all interest- mately it’s what needs to happen. Pacific that way forever.”
ed in the former. I don’t think it I’m glad they’ve stayed focused
“I don’t think one system is best makes sense to ask someone on that.” I’d like to add my thanks with re-
for all regions, be they UCR or who’s good at one set of gameplay gard to the courteous way in
activities to be forced to oversee Cormac has seen many a war, which this request for an inter-
the other set, whether they’re in- having joined NS in February view and the interview itself was
terested in it or good at it or not. 2012, and when asked to use his received by Cormac, it was also
We should let people do what experience to predict how the next good to see that Cormac felt he
they’re good at and interested in few months will pan out for both was given the space to air his
doing.” sides, he stated, views:
needs more diversity. We’ve start- Pacific Order, however, Cormac is that deficit has now reached rock
ed to tilt too much toward central- no stranger to inter-regional war- bottom. They’re simply running Pacifica is poised to become one of
ized government and we need to fare; he was Pharaoh of Osiris on fumes, and it’s showing in the the up and coming regions in the
make sure there’s a diverse bal- during their war with Lazarus inability of their chosen Delegate game this year, with elections
ance. But I wouldn’t say democra- from the 28th of August 2014 until to actually govern the Pacific ac- coming around the corner that will
cy is the best thing for every re- 12th October 2018. He had this to cording to game mechanics, their be covered by the Politics team at
gion. Each region has a right to say regarding the most effective primary litmus test for GCR gov- NationStates Today.
self-determination in its form of tactic utilized by either side dur- ernance. What’s more, they’re still
government.” ing this conflict: wasting their already limited re-
Advertise Your Region Here
with NationStates Today
—
Join our Discord for more information!
 NATIONSTATES TODAY. SATURDAY, JANUARY 5th, 2019. POLITICS 4

SATURDAY, JANUARY 5th 2019 Section P

The South Pacific Begins Competitive Election for Delegate

Disclamer: The author of this There is another candidate in
article is the Campaign Man- the race, DylanPickle, but he is
ager for Beepee, one of the a first-time candidate, most
declared candidates. prevalently of the region NOZ,
by PRARIE where he is the WA Delegate.
SOUTH PACIFIC STREET — Dylan doesn’t look like he’ll be
While NationStates fixes its a major contender, but if he
attention onto the scandal sur- takes guidance from Islands of
rounding the New Pacific Or- Unity and campaigns strongly
der, there’s another event that he could be an upset pick.
could make a large difference Currently, there are other na-
in the gameplay and political tions who could pose a threat
landscapes. who have been nominated;
The South Pacific has in- most notably prominent de-
volved itself in the NPO leaks, fender and mastermind behind
although lightly, which has TSP’s SWAN program USoVi-
been opposed by many legisla- etnam, and major NSGP influ-
tors in TSP’s Assembly. And encer and CRS member Glen-
now there is an opportunity to Rhodes, known gameside as
change how a region which has Sandaoguo.
immense influence over the Currently, the nomination
rest of NationStates feels, period is just a day old, but
looks, and runs. It has arrived many more nominations are
this week in the form of World tions are important in any re- biggest political crossroads after being hyped up as poten- known gameside as Erinor, a expected to be announced. The
Assembly Delegate elections in gion, but especially in the they may have seen in recent tial delegate material by many former one-term Delegate and primaries forumside will run
the Coalition of the South Pa- South Pacific since its a Game history. top-ranking officials for current member of the Council from January 8-11, and the
cific. Created, and highly influential, The South Pacific has grown months. The other major chal- of Regional Security. Seraph’s final election between the can-
In the South Pacific, the Dele- region. the depth of its talent pool re- lengers that have declared three nominations prove he is didates with the top two votes
gate is the figurehead of the January’s Delegate elections cently, with newcomers like their candidacies in this elec- probably the candidate with forumside will be held in a
region, as opposed to the head set the tone of the future of Beepee, Islands of Unity, and tion are AstroVulpes, known the best chance of winning in gameside poll January 11-18.
of government –the Prime TSP because not only is it a Bzerneleg challenging what gameside as The Solar System the race. The final major candi-
Minister — but is the most transition election — the cur- Islands of Unity calls the Scope, who is a gameside na- date who has declared is Find the campaign forum for
influential person in the region rent Delegate, Tsunamy, has ‘establishment’ on every issue. tive, currently holding the Rebeltopia, a long time TSPer TSP Delegate elections at
to outsiders and handles many said that he will most likely not This creates one of the largest ‘most posts’ top spot on the who centers his campaign http://tspforums.xyz/forum-416.html.
crucial aspects including run unless there is a lack of
talent pools ever seen by a TSP RMB, but has been in- around having had almost eve-
GCR in recent years. So far, we creasingly prevalent in policy ry notable position in TSP and NationStates Today will keep
gameside security, integration, what he believes to be quality
communications, culture, and candidates — it is also be- have already seen Beepee discussions on the forums and how he ‘won’t press the but- you up to date on all develop-
so much more. Delegate elec- cause TSP is currently at the making a declaration to run Discord. Another is Seraph, ton’. ments.

Communist Bloc By-Election Mariner Trench Holds Elections

Deadlocked after First Runoff The author of this article is
known as Anarchic Turkish
States in his home region, and
rently the leading MT Army and Grandpa Nazi Hunter Vip-
reserve in terms of participa- pertooth33 voting for them, as
tion points, and the provider of well as Earthly Delights and
by LIL’ STAPLER Trab” is a term used to de- forum post regarding this elec-
CAPITAL ISLANDS, COM- scribe someone who puts their features in this article. the password to the Nazi Hypron, Senators. Meanwhile,
tion was to support CAD, but
MUNIST BLOC — The Com- name on a ballot, runs no cam- by WHATERMELONS Northern Redlands, to win the the Chief Mariner has voted for
not drop out. Nothing else is
munist Bloc is yet again in an paign, but gets elected regard- known about this candidate. MARINER TRENCH — election. Hudsonolia, along with Kassi-
election. However, this is not a less. This action has brought Alast, the moment you have Twelve kilometers under the The Senate was elected, with mo, a member of the MT Ar-
usual election in the standard Trabardia success in the past all been (presumably) waiting sea, Mariner Trench, the home all candidates getting their my, and Yuno, former East
election cycle. This is a special elections. for. Election results. Devpra- region of the famous MT Ar- seats. Pacific delegate.
election, which only takes CAD is one of two who actually my, has recently held elections Anarchic Turkish States then The Chief Mariner’s first or-
tim came in last place with 0
place in the event that a gov- posted a campaign. This cam- for every elected position; The appointed Senator Earthly der of business is to re-legalize
votes (0%), CAD (yes, even
ernment position is unfilled paign did change a couple though he withdrew his name) Chief Mariner, The Senate and Delights, also in the MT Army Ugandan Knuckles, which has
midterm, usually by resigna- times throughout the standing the President. reserves, to the position of been removed from the Mari-
finished fourth with 1 vote
tion or removal. The office up period. First, CAD only prom- (4.3%), Trab came in third Anarchic Turkish States and Mariner of Foreign Affairs, ner Trench discord server, due
for election is the office of the ised to assist now GS Na- with 2 votes (8.7%), and the Matthewland123 were running while appointing Stonesticks, to unbelievable spam of Ugan-
Deputy General Secretary. The thaniel Penrose with his activi- last two, Tarrin and Pre- for Chief Mariner from the formerly official welcomer, and dan Knuckles by the Chief
office of DGS is the second ties. Then, his campaign coixious, tied for first, each start, but for any other candi- Roavin, well-known gameplay- Mariner themselves, Cryspus
highest position in the Bloc, changed to various reforms with 10 votes (43.5%). Bloc law date to declare candidacy took er, to justice position. Other and Vippertooth33. “Ugandan
second to the General Secre- and limits on the Admin Coun- states that any ties or first a while. Then, Hypron, Earthly positions are being filled. Knuckles shouldn’t been
tary. This position is in the cil (the fourth branch of TCB places with less than 50% of Delights and Sprecehnland, Meanwhile, the President banned, worst decision ever.”
Executive Branch, and helps Government). Finally, His the total vote must go into a the latter of which is a member election is still in progress. claimed Anarchic Turkish
the GS with everyday opera- campaign switched to endors- runoff, with the tied or top two of the MT Army, declared to Beef-land, one of the candi- States. Sahansahiye Iran, who
tions of the Bloc. The Office of ing fellow candidate Pre- candidates advancing. There- run for the three positions of dates, served as World Assem- hated Ugandan Knuckles the
the Deputy General Secretary coixious, and dropping out of for, a runoff was held. the Senate. The President’s bly Delegate for 21 days, the worst, could not be reached for
was left open after the resigna- the race. Interestingly, CAD After two more days of vot- candidates are Beef-Land and longest in the region, and they a comment.
tion of General Secretary Lil’ was also endorsed by another ing, Bloc citizens are tired, and Hudsonolia. are in the MT Army reserves The Chief Mariner is the head
Stapler. After the resignation candidate, Devpratim. the results are in. 22 votes The Chief Mariner Position as well. The other candidate, of the government, and ap-
of GS Lil’ Stapler, the Bloc’s Tarrin Kael was the last of were cast this go-round, and was looking for a stand-off Hudsonolia, while not particu- points Mariners and Justices.
order of succession meant then two to post a campaign, de- the victor is… neither. Each between Anarchic Turkish larly special, has actually done The President is the head of
DGS Nathaniel Penrose as- scriptively titled “Tarrin Kael candidate garnered 11 votes. States and Matthewland123, campaigning, claiming to be the Senate, the legislative
cended to the role of GS, leav- for DGS?” This campaign, After the results were re- when suddenly Matthew- able to keep things in order branch. The Senate creates
ing the Office of DGS open. A clearly, was a joke and a leased, Tarrin agreed to talk to land123 shockingly pulled out and can keep peace. As it bills and votes on them. The
special election was called im- “please don’t vote for certain us about the results. Tarrin in the last minute, citing bore- stands, Beef-land is currently Justices are the head of the
mediately. people” campaign. This cam- told us the following: dom. This paved the way for in the lead, with five votes to court, lead by the Chief Justice.
The standing period was sev- paign wasn’t what Tarrin Anarchic Turkish States, cur- three, with MT Army Leader
en days, and during this time, would do in office, but why “… what the fucketty fucketty Above right, the flag of the Mariner Trench. Below, the mysterious undersea portal lead-
any citizen could declare their others shouldn’t hold office. By fuck???,” ing downwards to the depths of the Trench. (Photo credit: Flying Fish Photographers)
intent to run, and get their the end of the campaign, Tar-
names on the ballot. Five can- rin has endorsed candidate showing the level of astonish-
didate originally entered their Precoixious. ment sent throughout the Bloc
name in for ballot access, Tra- Precoixious was labeled as after two consecutive ties. Talk
bardia, CAD, Tarrin_Kael, Pre- the favorite to win by many, between citizens included re-
coixious, and Devpratim2004. despite the lack of a campaign. quests for either one of the two
Out of these five, only two ac- After the special election, Pre- to drop out. Regardless, Bloc
tually posted campaigns, CAD coixious revealed to us that law indicates that another run-
and Tarrin. Going through the they wanted to “see how’d I off must be held. Hopefully this
candidates, we will look at do”. Later Precoixious told us one will not end in a draw. Pre-
each one’s campaigns and/or they wanted to “pull a coixious started as the favorite
why they ran. Trab” (That’s getting popular to win, but for now, no one
Starting with Trabardia, not eh?), and was “surprised” that knows who will ever come out
much is known. He put his their no campaign beat Trab’s on top. It appears the region is
name on the ballot, and that no campaign. just in one giant election night-
was about it. Talk from other The last candidate is Devpra- mare.
Bloc citizens show that they tim. Dev hasn’t posted much
think he is just doing what they on the forums, and only other
call “pulling a Trab”. “Pulling a
 NATIONSTATES TODAY. SATURDAY, JANUARY 5th, 2019. INTERNATIONAL 5

SATURDAY, JANUARY 5th 2019 Section I

Out-of-Character
International Left Football Organization
Disclaimer: The author of this article currently ranked fourth with two wins
is an active participant in the ILFA and two draws. He believes that the
Premier Division and has previously competition “helps bring people to-
worked closely with Kavagrad in the gether from many different regions”, a
government of The Leftist Assembly. sentiment shared amongst all partici-
pants. There are nations from The
by LLO Internationale, Democratic Socialist
THE LEFTIST ASSEMBLY — In July Assembly, and Revolutionary Com-
and August, thirty-five nations from munist Alliance, among others.
mostly leftist regions participated in
the 2018 IAFF World Cup, a football On the future of ILFA, the President
roleplay inspired by the actual World has said his primary ambition is ex-
Cup being held simultaneously in Rus- pansion; “We want to bring in more
sia. It was considered a massive suc- nations, create more competitions, and
cess and boosted community spirit get as many people involved as we
within the left of NationStates. can”. He has previously hinted at the
possibility of creating further league
From this base, one of the most ac- tiers with a promotion/relegation sys-
tive participants, regular forum foot- tem when it likely expands past twen-
ball role-player and former Secretary ty nations in the next season, expected
of The Leftist Assembly, Kavagrad, to start some time next year depend-
decided to further this success by cre- ing on the success of the current one.
ating a league competition under the This growth mindset seems to have
banner of the Interregional Left Foot- had an impact on the players as well,
ball Association, or ILFA for short. It with Dylan Murdoch stating that he is
is now in its first season, with nineteen “looking forward to seeing how the
teams competing in the ‘Premier Divi- ILFA grows overtime and improves”.
sion’. It will certainly be interesting to ob-
serve the development of this ambi-
The organisation differs markedly tious project moving into the future.
from most other football roleplays in community of like-minded people… and controversy, though it has “a fair- much time or energy to spend on
that it is specifically devoted to left- and a comradely spirit of goodwill.” ly minimal bonus” according to Ka- roleplaying, but are still interested in Nations that are interested in partic-
wing nations. ILFA President Ka- A matchday is simulated every two vagrad. This, in effect, creates “a casu- participating. ipating in the next season or would
vagrad describes the unique nature of days, and nations are then free to al atmosphere” and a “heavily luck- like more information can telegram
the competition as “an identity that I roleplay the events and goal-scorers of based” competition, which is perfect Dylan Murdoch, who has a team in Kavagrad or ILFA Administration via
feel much of NS’ Sports RP lacks… a the match, and even off-the-pitch news for nations who perhaps don’t have as the Premier Division this season, is NationStates.

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Write with us.
Contact https://nationstates.news/
NationStates Today. apply/

https://nationstates.news/contact-us/

The Perspectives section represents the opinions of community members all across NationStates as well as the editorial board of NationStates Today.
The Story of the Forgotten Nobodies: How NationStates
Has Marginalized the Masses For Too Long
By DEPUTY VOROSHILOV-
VYSHINKY
Most everyone would agree that
regions are run by a firmly estab-
lished elite — an increasingly megalo-
maniac clique of leaders who are un-
willing to relinquish their power.
Though this trend doesn’t present
itself in all our politicians, especially
those who put their constituents be-
fore their politics (kudos to the Com-
munist Bloc), this represents a grow-
ing reality where nations that opt not
to join the WA Assembly, decide to
stay off the big forums, or choose to
hang low are disenfranchised simply
because they aren’t willing to dedi-
cate most of their personal lives to
THEIR region. It’s not the bureau-
crat’s region; it’s not the party’s re-
gion; it’s not the police-state gen-
darmes’ region. It is our region, and it
is these nobodies, those who have
faded away, which keep many princi-
pal regions in the spotlight, help at-
tract new recruits, and contribute to
the success of government.
When looking at the marginal-
ized peoples, we must ask ourselves
whether granting them equal suf-
frage, representation, and easy ac-
cess to information (which is a key
step on the road to equality) would
change anything. After all, most eve-
ryone would agree that the assidu-
ous pursuit of citizenship or World
Assembly membership is usually a
key marker of political ambition. So,
why should we give people who fail
to do this, who fail to show their de-
termination to contribute, any power
in government? Why should those
who show only apathy in the face of
their region be rewarded with the
greatest privilege of a citizen. . . the
power to vote and influence legisla-
tion? But to analyze that question,
we must see the ‘inactivity’ of those
regions not as a condition of their
isolation, but as a condition of a polit-
ical machine. They are, quite simply,
the victims of an omnipresent politi-
cal-machine, bred out of the very na-
ture of politics, that takes many
names but exists in all regions. These
nobodies are outmaneuvered by fa-
natical regimes and cutthroat politi-
cians, and forced to conform to the
stereotype that they, simply and
plainly, do not care. Just look at the
fourth provision, under Article II,
Definitions, in the 2016 Citizenship
Act of the Communist Bloc:
(4) "Citizen" shall refer to individu-
als whom have a nation in The
Communist Bloc and have been
approved for forum citizenship.
Later on in this law, they give admin-
istrators the powers to deny citizen-
ship to any applicants, on the basis of
questionable loyalty, which I totally
agree with. We should not do away
with applications for verification and
the vetting procedure that ensures
that regions can not assert ghost in-
fluence on other regions. But why citizenship, even with the application soned politicians vertigo, is the vast
must these applications be confined to on the forum. There is no difference in network of information, both regional
“forum applications” instead of an who we let in, but there is a huge dif- and interregional, that eludes the
easily accessible, quick telegram that
any new recruits can fill out and send
to the government? After all, making
application information and registra-
THANK YOU FOR READING
NATIONSTATES TODAY. SATURDAY, JANUARY 5th, 2019. PERSPECTIVES
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5th 2019
tion much simpler DOES NOT pose a
security risk. Opponents will argue
that doing so will undermine current
systems. Enemies could use political
operatives and puppets states in or-
der to gain citizenship, citing the falla- vor, but found that our personal lives
cy that the easy ability to apply for
citizenship means the easy ability to
invade a region and establish a for-
eign political machine. I am not say-
ing that we should revamp measures
aimed at establishing a secure pro-
cess of vetting applicants. It is a ne-
cessity to ask them security ques-
tions, both on the behalf of the gov-
ernment, fellow citizens, and stability
of region. But by posting these appli-
cations on NS, we cut down on the
hassle to get to the first rung on the
political ladder, the quest for citizen-
ship (i.e. the painful process to even
find the application), without cutting
down on security precautions. And
let’s not forget that foreign nations
who are hell-bent and intent on taking BUT one of the many hurdles that
down the system could still apply for manage to give even the most sea-
ference in the availability of the appli- common member-state. The news
cation to the public.
I am sure that we can all remem-
ber times when we became inactive,
abruptly left the political scene, or
just took a well-deserved hiatus. We
were willing to chase after our politi-
cal ambitions with unparalleled fer-
demanded more of us than our online
roles as citizens. But just as we have
all required some personal time,
away from our regions, we must rec-
ognize that some member-states have announcements, and forum posts and
less time to give to their region, is often stretched to horrendous
choosing to use it to talk to friends,
visit family, maintain schoolwork and
a job, read, binge-watch Netflix, etc.
So why should we discriminate
against the masses who maintain a
lower internet presence, yet compose
the bulk of our populations on NS?
We shouldn’t, tout court. That is no
justification for the systematic exclu-
sion of the masses and the bare
recognition of this is a first step in the information, which acts as the medi-
fight for freedom and equality.
networks, the industry of culture
which pervades in politics, roleplay,
and regional relations, are a vital
component in our ability to exercise
our voting privilege. I can’t cast my
vote if I don’t understand the argu-
ment; without that coveted info, we
are blind. And political blindness is a
dereliction of our duty to our region
and a must-have when we choose
“aye” or “nay”. But that vital part of
exercising OUR right to suffrage is
left encoded in dispatches, discord
lengths with abstruse legalese,
ephemeral esoterica, and blistering
tirades. If you are looking for recrea-
tion in NationStates and you aren’t
willing to dedicate over 30 minutes of
your valuable time each day to poli-
tics, then you are now out of luck. Not remember that the political elite,
only is that information out of reach, which will immediately decry fascist
but it is also indecipherable without
an encyclopedia full of context. That
um between voter and representa-
tive, is restricted to the class that
overwhelmingly assumes the helm of
leadership and manipulates the mal- and the unwilling participants of a
leable masses into ensuring a political political machine, can do that.
oligarchy — them. Through sly intimi-
dation, they keep the valuable and
underrepresented base of nations in
the political gutters in order to ensure
they can ride out infinite terms to
6
Section O
their political apotheosis. This is the
time to decry that injustice and to say
enough-is-enough.
We cannot coerce people to vote.
Our privilege is a choice, and we must
recognize that NationStates is home
to a plethora of abandoned nations
and inactive member-states who,
regardless of electoral rights, will not
exercise their duty to their region.
But the people who don’t have access
to vital information, the basic privi-
leges of suffrage, or the ability to deal
with the forums, servers, and social
web that expands with every oli-
garch’s cyber click, are the ones who
lose the most. These aforementioned
things serve as the main buffer that
separates the masses from their inal-
ienable rights. We have a responsibil-
ity to ALL constituents. Whether they
vote or not, that is their decision. But
the illegal denial of their rights is just
one of many obstacles in peace, pros-
perity, and fun. To address this, there
is only one solution to this problem.
Every member-state must be guaran-
teed EASY, QUICK access to daily or
weekly information, either on a re-
gional dispatch, through a regular
telegram, or quick notification. Every
member-state should be given voting
rights, so long as they register with
their region in a citizen application
(which should contain all necessary
precautions for regional stability),
available to everyone and taking only
minutes. We must establish a demo-
cratically-elected commission, a sort
of liaison with member-states that
primarily operate on NationStates
and works to protect marginalized
groups, helps introduce popular is-
sues to the regional legislature, and
works to turn public reform into law.
This would act as the true voice of the
people and would help forge a strong
relationship with the long-ignored
base that now yearns to be free. Fi-
nally, regions should cooperate to
endow the citizenry with universal
representation and should increase
its efforts to limit the hitherto monop-
olized terms, increase access to civil
services, reduce the hassle that inevi-
tably comes with receiving regional
news, and inform the masses in poli-
tics and power. We have the power to
change activity, inclusion, voter-
turnout, and democracy in Nation-
States, all for the people. This is not
just a problem. This is a crisis that
has existed since day one and has
been forced into the forgotten trash
bin of history. Yet, our strong, sup-
portive base, which contributes to our
cohesiveness as a state and makes
many regions great, continues to lan-
guish away. This is the time for
change and recognition, the time to
atrocities, continuously fails to act
when it comes to destroying the
shackles that bind hundreds of mem-
ber-states to their condition. We must
change the political landscape on NS
and only we, the dutiful citizens of NS
Want to get your
voice heard?
Contact NSToday to
get your opinion
article featured.
https://nationstates.news/
 NATIONSTATES TODAY. SATURDAY, JANUARY 5th, 2019. ARTS 7

The Perspectives section represents the opinions of community members all across NationStates as well as the editorial board of NationStates Today.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 5th 2019 Section A

Puzzles Some Notes from the Editors

(not part of the Arts section!)
And Reader’s Poll results!

While I’m writing this general idea for the ing Team has been

Crossword at 11:15 at night my

time, this newspaper
Arts section is to have
puzzles, games, and
hard at working look-
ing at how we can im-
is largely unfinished (I most importantly, arti- prove every visual of
specialize in procrasti- cles relating to the cul- the newspaper and its
nation) and will proba- ture of NationStates. website.
bly be published in the Our deficit in these While he isn’t part of
morning hours of to- types will be solved in the writing team at
morrow. Well, then, the coming weeks as NSToday, Somyrion’s
dear reader, you say the editorial staff dis- work on the graphics
— it isn’t Saturday an- cusses how we’re go- team has been invalu-
ymore! It might as ing to expand on our able. He created our
well be the Sunday Puzzles section, in- beautiful new logos —
Newspaper. clude comics the new wheel, our na-
That’s correct. But it’s (Polandball!), and tion & region flag, the
write about the “Arts”
also still going to be section headers, and
evening time on Baker of NationStates. more.
Island, where it’s cur- Speaking of the Edito- We are so grateful to
rently only 5:20ish rial Staff, I’d like to our readers and our
p.m. on a warm, 80- talk a bit about future writers for jumping in
degree equatorial appointments of edi- and participating in
evening. So I’d say tors. Right now, we this community effort
we’re still a Saturday have a staff of roughly to inform the public
newspaper to our 17 staff writers that about the happenings
fanbase on Baker Is- the current editorial of communities all
land. staff will be observing across this game.
Answers: send them to @brihimia#8845 on Discord!
Anyway, I also wanted as we consider pro-
moting some of them If you’d like to help
to discuss the Arts
to editorial positions. out by writing or mak-

Reader’s Poll
section. This article ing graphics, or just
(or letter/collection of Until then, Lewis and I want to check in,
notes/memo) from the are mercilessly pick-
ing apart our staff’s please join our Dis-
editor is currently
rough drafts :P cord server here:
parked in the Arts sec-
tion. Why? Because GRAPHICS! https://discord.gg/
we don’t have articles I feel like this one de- Ur5ugrK
for the Arts section Trabardia,
serves its own subti-
yet, and we need Editor-in-Chief and
tle, because our new
space to fill here. Our Graphics and Publish- Chief Content Officer

A Week of Progress, and the Next Steps for

NationStates Today (by Lewis Flood)
Last week, we had 4 volun- lating this edition for release. then you should contact me
teers. Today, we have 17. Going into the future, we or apply!
Our first edition has re- hope to overhaul our visual Naturally, I realize all this
ceived nearly 300 views on design, along with developing advertisement for staff is

This week, we questioned our readers via a public

Scribd, and our site has bro-
ken 200 unique visitors.
poll both on our region page and our NationStates For me, at least, that repre-
sents a massive achievement
Gameplay forum thead. In all, 25 people responded of work, dedication and a
a unique illustrative style,
especially for our website -
for me, what will set us fur-
ther apart from other news
organisations will be our me-
probably tiring, and I can
assure you there will be less
of it in future editions. We are
growing fast, and within a
month I hope to be releasing

to the region poll, and 33 on the forum poll for a strong first step to achieving
the vision I outlined last
combined 58 responses. This is far more than last week. I didn’t imagine that
dia rich content, allowing our
articles to catch the eye and
engage readers. As such, I
at least an article a day on
our website, and if that
doesn’t make you want to

week’s response, and we are excited to be releasing

we would receive such a posi-
tive response, although based
next week’s poll Sunday afternoon. on the quality of edition that
our Editor-in-Chief produced,
it shouldn’t be a surprise. I
further never imagined we
ask that if you are reading
this and are interested in
working towards such a goal,
the development of a unique
visual style and the creation
of game-class media, then
keep an eye on us. I should
also stress that NationStates
Today is not simply another
Gameplay news source - we
are already covering
roleplays, and we want to

We asked the following: would gain volunteer staff so

quickly - the application num-
ber has been outstanding,
and I am exceedingly pleased
you should either contact me
on Discord (balag12#7151) or
apply for staff online -
https://nationstates.news/
provide more coverage of
roleplays of all types. On top
of that, we want to have a
focused group of writers who

Did you spend less time on NationStates than usu- at the quality of writing that
has been produced, even in
al over the holidays? such a short period of time.
In addition, the range of ex-
periences and interest areas
of our writers has allowed us
THE RESULTS: to produce a higher quality of
content, which in turn has
freed us to explore new possi-
bilities for NationStates To-
apply.
Alongside our new Publish-
ing team, I also want to form
a small group of talented de-
velopers to help build up our
technical prowess - I hope
that we can use the Telegram
API to distribute news to
those that subscribe, and I
want tighter integration with
are knowledgeable of some of
the most interesting political
events in the game, which
should allow us to keep you
informed on a region’s news -
even if they don’t have their
own news service.
For now, I ask that you
stay informed, keep reading
and keep an eye on us.

31%, or 18 people, said Yes (I spent less time on NS day.

On top of our excellent
over the holidays) writing staff, we have begun
the construction of an excep-
69%, or 40 people, said No (I spent the same or tional Graphics & Publishing
team, who have been hard at
more time on NS over the holidays) work producing and formu-
both Discord and Nation-
States generally. As such, if Lewis Flood is the Chairman
anyone has experience with and Chief Operations Officer
the NationStates API, the of NationStates Today and
Discord API, or just general the International News Org.
Web Development, and wish-
es to help with our project,