Hearts of Iron 3 mini sit-rep

A large ‘bulge’ was formed during early 1944 while USSR forces around the Pripet (Pinsk) Marshes have retreated to the north, south, and east. Axis forces promptly ‘filled it in’. Thus a bulge is formed around Dubno (to its south-west), Kiev (to its south-east), Homel/Homyel (to its north-east), Minsk (to its north), and Nowgrodek (to its northwest). By August 1944 the forces responsible to ‘close the gap’ have concentrated around Dubno and Kobryn (south-west of Nowgrodek).

Rough estimation of the forces trapped once the gap was closed in December 1944 is at around 110 divisions. 223 divisions in total were committed to wrapping around the bulge, closing the gap, and eventually to dispose of enemy forces trapped within, with operations starting in January 1945. Numerous attempts for relief have been repulsed. An operation to reclaim Bessarabia will commence at the same time as the ‘clean-up’ of the encircled enemy forces.

Star Driver: Next (02)

“Good morning, class. I’m your new deputy homeroom teacher. And your homeroom teacher allowed me to do homeroom for the class today.” He smiles, looking across the room.

“I will also be your new English teacher, the principal gladly accepted my application for the position. So, here I am.”

Murmurs among the students begin, prompting him to respond to some of the queries.

“A new teacher this late in the school year? Well, the timing may be weird, but it’s not really unheard of now, is it?” “Ah, how old am I? Old enough to be your teacher!” This elicits laughter from the class. “Where I’m from? Well, yes, I am a foreigner. You can surmise that much from my appearance alone. But I am quite…skilled in various languages.”

He raises his hands, signaling for some order. “Now, now, class. Let’s begin homeroom. Let’s make it a bit quick however, since this would just be the first time…let’s check attendance first.”

With that finished, he called once again for silence. “Class. This would be an important announcement, especially for those who knows what I’m talking about,” he said. “If you know what the words “Cybodies”, “Star Driver”, “Glittering Cross”, “Zero Time” and “Tauburn” mean, please see me after class today. Meet me at the school grounds. Other…people with knowledge of those words would also be informed of this, so no need to be, uh, troubled. I guess.”

“Don’t worry, for those who don’t know what those words mean. Think of them as ‘code words’ in a very secret game being…played right now. If you don’t know what they mean, don’t wait for me at the school grounds. Is that clear?” Answers of “Yes, sensei.” are heard from the students. Yet some of them, and understandably so, have a worried look on them, wondering what their new teacher has in store for them in the afternoon.

====================================================
It’s now afternoon, and those who knows what those words really mean are gathered in the school grounds after classes have ended. Those who do not really know what they mean were promptly asked to leave by the new teachers.

“Well, well, well…looks like everybody’s here,” the new English teacher said.

“Now, let me introduce myself properly. As some of the students here already know, I am their class’ new deputy homeroom teacher, as well as the new English teacher,” he said. “My name is Michel Baptiste. I am the…” he pauses, briefly.

“I am the current director of the Special Operations Division of our group, as well as the commander of its First and Second Armed Response Detachments. As of now, I am the only member of the Second ARD, since it would mostly be comprised of new members, while some of the members of the First would be reorganized into it. Your new classmates, the ‘transfer students’, as well as the other new faculty member, are all currently members of the First ARD.”

“What are you talking about, sensei?” It was Keito Nichi who asked the question.

“I will properly answer your question once we are all gathered in our base of operations, ‘Ivrogne’.”

Someone gasped, while Keito herself seems to have barely kept her composure. A complete stranger knowing that name of hers shocked her.

“Is there a problem, Okamoto-sensei? Or should I call you ‘Professor Green’ now?”, he asked, laughing shortly afterwards.

“As I have said, any further questions would be answered once we all get to our ship. Or submarine. Well actually it’s both, and it can fly too, so I don’t really know what to call it anymore.” He laughs again. “Now, come, come, everyone! We should all be going there right now. Our transportation to the coast is already prepared, so hurry up and let’s all ride the bus now!”

A Brief Discussion on a Victory

Yes, it was “just” a paintball match (capture the flag). So? LOL

IMPT: RIGHT CLICK ON EACH IMAGE, SELECT “VIEW IMAGE” (OR SIMILAR). THEME ISN’T WIDE ENOUGH LOL

This is a rough map of the “battlefield”:

And this is the general plan of both sides (my team is red):

So my general plan was this:

• Divide forces into three
• 2/3s would advance through the flanks, to hold higher ground
• remaining 1/3 to hold center
• Flanking forces to provide support to center forces when able
• Flanking force with initiative to capture flag would do so

Their general plan was this:

• Pool bulk of forces through a center advance
• Remaining forces to provide cover along the flanks (and defend the flag)

This was the first phase of the battle:

The center thrust was repulsed. Threat in the middle was eliminated. Distance of advance on the east side afforded a “chance” for a breakthrough, so the enemy tried to make for it on that side.

Breakthrough was NOT achieved on the east side in the central sector. Enemy defenses completely overrun by forces advancing along both flanks. The flag is captured, objective has been achieved, victory obtained.

Final positions:

If it isn’t “capture the flag”, it still doesn’t bode well for the blue team.

Hearts of Iron 3 short progress report

The summer of 1945 began with a general offensive all along the whole front from the Soviet Union. There are 5 primary “foci” for the offensive for which the armored divisions are concentrated: 1. just west of Warsaw, 2. just east of Krakow, 3. just east of Budapest, 4. just east of Novi Sad, and 5. just north of Larissa.

The armor concentration near Warsaw is by far the biggest for the Red Army, comprising 168 divisions of tanks and mostly mechanized or motorized infantry. Barely half of that, 82 divisions, was brought near Budapest. 46 divisions were placed outside Krakow, 34 divisions in southern Yugoslavia and 22 divisions are in position for the conquest of Greece.

The narrowing of the front compared to 1944 aided the Axis forces in increasing further their forces along the line. The bogged-down operations by the Western Allies in the Italian peninsula (only controlling Sicily thus far) meant Italy was able to commit more forces to the Eastern Front.

The Red Army was able to remove Axis forces in Greece immediately, thus the 22 armored divisions were able to help in the Yugoslav sector. Hungary surrendered as well after the fall of Budapest, in addition to the capture of half of Slovakia, and consequently forces assigned to the Hungarian sector are now positioned along south Germany and west Czechoslovakia.

Although Krakow was liberated, progress was relatively slow in the south Poland sector. The north Poland sector forces however was able to spread out and thus an encirclement of Axis forces in western Poland was achieved. Armored divisions part of the northern thrust was able to solidify a front just 50 miles east of Berlin, before winter set in and 1946 came.

The Invasion from the Sands – Chapter 1 (First Sight)

This is the 1st chapter of my NaNoWriMo attempt, “The Invasion from the Sands”. Consider this as a “preview” of…EVERYTHING! LOL
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1585 TR, 5th month, 13th day
City of Blazund, Kingdom of Sundol

It began as any other day before it. The city was right at the edge of the border of the kingdom, near the desert called the Great Sea of Sands. The desert served as the barrier between Trablus and Ilsentur to the south, thus trade between the countries of either regions are made through the sea, and not through this other sea. Blazund is by no means a big city; it is somewhat prosperous and thriving, but it cannot boast the same vibrancy as the capital. Its proximity to the desert might have an effect on that.

Recently, however, there were rumors that goods from Ilsentur stopped arriving at ports which previously receive such goods. Merchants from this port cities eventually confirmed such rumors once they arrived in the city, having nonexistent stocks of the exotic products of the South. Many have attributed it to perhaps bad weather to the South, some thought that maybe a conflict was brewing to the South among the nations there. Practically no one thought they would be coming across the sands.

———————————–

The guard was doing his usual rounds. Today he was assigned to the southern part of the city walls. This of course is the portion of the wall that affords the clearest view of the desert nearby. Such a fact makes the guard’s typical patrol slightly less interesting; seeing sand for miles and miles for your entire shift is most certainly boring. Until now.

“Well, at least a guard doesn’t get stuck to the same part of the wall everyday,” he mutters to himself. “Maybe walking along the wall might be a good idea.”

After his third time walking back and forth along his assigned area, his superior passes by. The guard salutes the guard-captain as they encounter each other.

“The guard-captain really has a lot of energy, it seems. He’s walking around the walls again!”, he thought. “And that means he’ll be doing rounds around the city itself later on too. Can’t really blame him for doing that though.” The guard sighs.

“This city is peaceful, not much work for us guards really. All of us are having it easy here,” he says aloud this time. “I’m not saying that something bad should happen though, just maybe some action would do?”, he asks no one in particular. He then shifts his gaze towards the desert. “I’ll start by counting the grains of sand I can see, I guess? That’s a start, huh?” He laughs at the stupidity of what he just thought.

But then something does catches his eyes. He squints towards the desert, thinking perhaps its another trick of light and the sands. But as he scans the whole desert, the truth dawns upon him. It was not an illusion, and perhaps his wish was indeed answered.

There was a huge army marching, quickly, through the desert. He has no choice but to ring the alarm and find the guard captain immediately.

———————————–

“Shalif Telmothep, we have sighted the city,” the officer reports. “It is the city of Blazund, the southernmost of the Kingdom of Sundol. How would we capture it, Shalif?”

“Shalif”, or “General” in the Pershepanean tongue. There are only three of them at any given time, each corresponding to one of the armies of Pershepane.

“I would guess a direct assault is a viable option,” Telmothep responds. “According to the reports, Blazund is lightly defended. There won’t be much casualties if we assault the city immediately.”

“Yes, Shalif. Reports have indicated such. So what would be the specific plans then for the assault?”, the officer asks.

“Plans? Detach only a small portion of our forces for the assault. Perhaps the 2nd and 5th would be enough,” Telmothep answers. “Then the 5th should follow the main forces to the north. The 2nd would occupy the city and the surrounding area.”

“As you say, Shalif.” The officer salutes. “For Hierathis, and for Pershepon.”

“Indeed…for Hierathis, and for Pershepon. We will bring Trablus to its knees.”

The officer leaves Shalif Telmothep’s tent. He sends orders to the 2nd and 5th to assault the city, as well as their specific instructions after its fall. He is predicting a quick capture of the city, and he tells the two forces’ respective commanders that they must not disappoint.

More than an hour passes, and it has been reported that the city has been captured. Most of the city guard has been killed, the survivors taken as prisoners. Many of the residents, including the mayor, have been able to flee towards the north, but the officer sees their effort as pointless. The main force would eventually reach them soon anyway. The battle was quick, since there weren’t that many defenders to begin with. He proceeds to the Shalif’s tent to report.

“Shalif,” he calls out.

“Yes? Has the city been captured already?”

“The city has been captured, Shalif. There were less defenders than we thought, thus the quick fight,” the officer replies. “Even sending only either of the two would have sufficed, Shalif.”

“Well, I made my decisions back then based on the reports we have. One of the divisions I assigned to the assault would be following the main force immediately anyway.” Telmothep stands up, and paces around the tent. “Tell the 2nd’s commander that he would be in charge of the occupied area here in the south. Now, the main force must move. Alert the 5th to follow immediately. We will press north towards Sundol City itself.”

“As you command, Shalif.”

“For Hierathis, and for Pershepon.”

“Yes, Shalif. For Hierathis, and for Pershepon.”

———————————–

The army from Pershepane moved quickly towards the north after the capture of Blazund. The commander aims to capture the kingdom’s capital immediately. With their relative haste in their march, they were able to capture most of the refugees from Blazund. The mayor, and some of the clergy of the temples in the city were taken prisoner. They were brought outside of the commander’s tent, with the army resting after the forced march through the desert, as well as the capture of Blazund. With their quick pace they were able to march a third of the way through towards the capital.

“Shalif, here are the prisoners,” his executive officer announced. “Some clerics of their deities, as well as Blazund’s…former, mayor.”

“I see a priestess of Cidenna among them…bring her closer to me.”

“Very well, Shalif.” The officer turns towards the soldiers. “You heard the Shalif, men, bring her away from the group and closer to him.”

The other clerics were calm. The priestess of Cidenna even more so. The mayor was quite vocal in his protests however, prompting the soldiers to gag his mouth.

“Ah, yes. The medallion does indeed marks you as her priestess,” Telmothep remarked. “Can you perhaps send a message of mine to your goddess?”

“You have no right to command me, heathen scum!”, the priestess replied, finally breaking her calm demeanor with a quiet anger.

“You should watch your words, priestess, especially when talking with me…” Shalif Telmothep brandishes his sword, and promptly kills the priestess.

“Only one deity should have power over the sun, that is the message dear priestess,” Telmothep said. “And you have delivered it to your goddess already. Kill the others. We do not have to waste some sustenance for them. Especially that mayor, even gagged he’s still annoyingly noisy. Silence him permanently.”

“As you wish, Shalif,” the officer answered. “Bring the prisoners to some clearing nearby. Carry out their executions immediately. The clerics of our king’s enemies must be eliminated, their followers swayed to convert our faith, or be killed. That is the will of the true gods.”

“Our King, the Sun Lord Pershepon, would be pleased tonight.”

———————————–

“Commander! Refugees have been sighted by the guards manning the city’s southern wall!” A soldier exclaims, looking at who is presumably the “commander.”

“I am not deaf, young soldier. I can clearly hear you without the need to shout,” the commander replied.

“My apologies, commander,” the soldier answered.

“Apology accepted, of course. I can understand how you are feeling right now, young one. A mixture of anxiety, excitement and uncertainty, I presume?” The commander gestures as if waving away something. “Never mind my ramblings. So that would mean the rumors are true. The kingdom is under attack then. Who is leading the refugees towards the capital then? Where are they from?”

“Sir, they are mostly people from the south, the bulk are from Blazund. I do not know who exactly leads them here, but I would assume the messenger on his way to the castle right now would know.”

“Very well then…summon the other commanders to the Hall of Command. The king would be there already, and I would think the Crown Prince as well. Tell the messenger to proceed there directly once he arrives at the castle.”

“As you command, sir!” The soldier hurries away from the commander’s quarters, looking to quickly carry out the orders he has just received.

The commander quietly proceeds to the Hall of Command, on the way still mulling this unexpected development. The commander is the most senior among the kingdom’s armed forces; he has been commander for two kings already, and there’s a possibility that he would still be the chief commander for the current Crown Prince once he ascends to the kingship. But such thoughts are not what is occupying the commander’s mind right now.

“Commander Sotten! The others are here already. We are but waiting for the messenger now that you have arrived.” The king said as Commander Sotten arrived. The messenger arrived but a few moments after him.

The messenger bows before those gathered, and kneels before the king; his appearance is very ragged and unkempt; it is obvious that he had barely enough rest, food and drink.

“Your Highness…Blazund has fallen. Many were able to flee the city, but half was captured by their forces as we neared Endor. The city mayor, and most of the city’s clergy were taken…the guard captain of the city is leading us right now…we barely even made it to the capital, Your Majesty…”

“Why don’t you slow down a bit, young boy? Don’t force yourself if you cannot speak any further,” the king replied.

“Sire, I can speak yet! You must…hear this immediately. Maybe in 2 or 3 days they would be near the capital now…Pershepane has invaded the kingdom, Your Majesty.” Surprise can be heard from among the gathered, even the king.

“Pershepane…? How? So they…they crossed the desert? Why would they be invading our kingdom?” The king asked.

“It was for their king, Your Highness. They invaded us for their king…”, the messenger answered. He is now barely able to stand, and the king notices this.

“Enough, young boy. You have said enough.” The king said. He gestures to a soldier. “Let the lad rest, and make sure he is fed. He has already done me and the kingdom a great service.”

The king looks around the people gathered in the room, his last glance being at Commander Sotten.

“This is dire news…grave tidings indeed. Very well, brief me about our available forces then. How much can be immediately deployed for the capital’s defense? Commander Sotten?”

“My King, the 3rd and 7th are currently in the city, plus the Capital Guard. Then of course there is the castle’s Royal Guard. The Prince’s Division is also here in the city.”

“Very well, so we can at least leave the Capital and Royal Guards to defend the city itself. We can deploy the 3rd and 7th,” the king said. “What of other forces nearby? Are there any forces in Fort Chabral and Fort Guilon?”

“The 1st and 2nd are in Fort Chabral, Your Majesty,” another commander, Commander Vingeet, answered. “The 4th and 6th are in Guilon.”

“I see. Bring the 1st and 2nd to the capital at once. Order the 4th to man Chabral. What of the 5th and 8th?”

“The 5th and 8th would be arriving tomorrow morning, Your Highness,” Commander Sotten answered. “Initially they are to relieve the 3rd and 7th, but because of the situation right now, they would instead be adding to the forces here in the city.”

“The 9th can also be brought to the capital, Your Majesty,” stated Esthern’s mayor, Finion Eleddir. “If Esthern would not be under attack during the attack on the capital in three days’ time, the 10th can also follow. The Esthern Guards would perhaps suffice for the city’s defense in that case.”

“Very well then, mayor Finion,” the king replied. “So in overview, that would mean eight divisions for our forces, and perhaps even nine. Those eight, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 8th and 9th plus the Prince’s Division would be deployed. Since we don’t really know how many the enemy troops would be, I would be assuming that they would outnumber us somewhat. The eight divisions would hold the line a bit further to the south of the capital. We would thus avoid a siege with barely any preparations, and would give time to our other forces to proceed to the defense of the capital city. The delaying action would only be done in as minimum a time as possible. We wouldn’t want it to be a cause of large casualties, or be a protracted confrontation with the enemy.”

“So if we succeed with delaying the enemy forces, Your Highness, we could then establish a new defensive line to the south which would be nearer to the capital with the additional gathered forces and still be able to avoid attempts to surround the capital city and lay siege to it. Is that what is on your mind, Your Majesty?” Commander Sotten inquired.

“Yes, Commander Sotten. That is indeed the plan I have in mind. That is assuming that they are just barely outnumbering our forces immediately available for the delaying action however,” the king replied. “If the disparity in numbers would be even greater, it would not be a relatively short delaying action any longer. We would look to inflict as much casualties in a longer period of time, but avoid establishing a second line of defense to the south. Encirclement, or near-encirclement at best, of the city would probably be inevitable. Our forces would then be looking to break out of the city, at least.”

“Commander Sotten, you would be leading the delaying forces. Commanders Vingeet and Piotr would be coming with you. The Prince would be coming along as well,” the king said. “Commanders Dinnel and Londaker would remain here in the capital and would take command of the forces that would be arriving in five days. In the best case scenario, the delaying action would be in two days’ time. At worst, well as long as it would take you Commander Sotten. Just make sure that you can still come back within four days to the capital city. That is all, may the gods be with us.”

Quick overview – The Imperial League (Trablus)

The Imperial League – Lies in Secasia, a region in eastern Trablus. The Imperial League is a confederation of the former Estrecian provinces and surrounding territories, giving emphasis on equality to all members. The members are the following: Ristral, Kelston, Inedapas, Astrobad, Pelstoin, Grantin Barony, Bay Field Republic, the Havens, the Talstop Isles and the Plains Federation. All members are represented by their Imperial governors, which form the Imperial Council. The Ristralian governor is the head of the council and is also the Emperor, for Ristravopol is the Imperial Capital. The current Emperor, Vashonim Tralvey, rules the Imperial League well.

The people in the Imperial League speak Estrecian, the language of the now-gone Estreco Empire.

Secasia is sometimes called the Highlands, for the region is home to the highest mountain in the continent, Mt. Drailad, and also has 6 mountain ranges all in all. Only the Havens have no mountain ranges.
Ristravopol, Lordcity of Ristral Province and the Imperial Capital, lies to the north of the Secluded Gulf in Secasia on the Coast Way, which is a major trade route running from Sortegoth, through the Havens, past Kelston and towards the Bay Field Republic. Ristravopol is the largest city in the whole of Trablus, with a current population of 122,500 according to the latest census. The Emperor, Vashonim Tralvey, built a new palace connected to the Imperial Castle. The new palace is the biggest structure in the city, besides the castle itself. Ristravopol is home to the largest sea fleet, the 1st Imperial Sea Fleet.

Pastonia is a city in Ristral Province. A huge port city, Pastonia is situated between Ristral proper and the Southern Havens. The city is famous for the Fitonde Lhuna, “a first-class restaurant that serves appetizing and delicious food,” the Emperor has said. The restaurant’s name means ‘by the coast’ in the Estrecian language. Pastonia means ‘gate to the east’ in Estrecian.

Kelston City, capital of Kelston Province, lies between the town of Safety to the west and the port city of Verisan to the east. To the north is Inepas, the Lordcity of Inedapas Province. The Kelstonian vineyards produce wine of high quality, which is an essential export of the city.

Inepas is the distributor of all mined minerals in Inedapas Province. The city market is always full of merchants and buyers. The Plains Road, the Rasonian Road and the Rastrobad Road intersect in this city. A portion of the Province is leased to dwarves, who in turn manage the mining industry of the Province. The dwarven region is named the Land of Garnets, Garneto na Diciela, in the old Estrecian tongue.

Astonia is a city in the western portion of Ristral province. The city is located beside the Elvemina Pass. The city is also called Bantrobad, which means ‘East City of Mines’ in the Badalian language, but is rarely called that because the city is in Ristral Province. Astonia means ‘gate to the west’ in Estrecian.

Astrobad, the ‘West City of Mines’, is situated in the valley formed by the Astrobad Mountains. The city delicacies are Troburgers and Badalian ale. Both are a must-try.
To the south of the city is the town of Torni while to the northwest is the Norityr Pass.

Pelstoin Ports is not one whole city, but three different cities located near each other along the coast of the Pelstoin Bay, which is part of the Secluded Gulf. Each are conveniently named North Port, Central Port and South Port. The lobsters, prawns and crabs caught here are one of the biggest and tastiest when cooked. Though there are three different cities, there is only one Imperial Governor to represent all cities.

Guardia, the Gulf Guard Headquarters, is a city whose citizens are soldiers, sailors, weaponsmiths or merchants. The commoner is not common here because this city is really a military fort. General Hardir Sellvax, the leader of the Gulf Guards, resides in the city’s castle. The city has a deep-water harbor ideal for any kind of warship. The 2nd Sea Fleet is anchored here.

To the southwest of Guardia lies Munalath, a port city in the South Havens. The city’s shipbuilding areas are always busy building fishing boats, ferries, galleys, trade ships, frigates, yachts and battleships.

Balfinas is situated to the north of Munalath and Guardia on the opposite peninsula, along the coast of the Harpius Ocean. A ferry brings people from the mainland to Talstop, a town in the Talstop Isles. Seafood here is very delicious.

Talstop is roughly to the east of Balfinas. It is the only capital town in the Imperial League, and is in the southwest of Talstop Isle. To the north are the Talstop Mountains, and to the northwest is Westisle, another town in Talstop Isle. To the east of Talstop Isle is the Outrang Archipelago, which is still part of the Imperial League.

Verisan and Sortegoth are cities in the North Havens. Both are generally alike, except that Sortegoth is larger but Verisan has a higher population. Like in all Haven cities, the seafood here are a must-eat. Sortegoth is situated near the Kalvinorls, the Wind Mountains, which serve as the boundary between the Imperial League Proper and Kalvithum, the Wind Lands, to the north.

The Slicewind Mountains, which forms the northwestern boundary of the Imperial League Proper, is the longest mountain range in the whole of Trablus. Its southernmost point is along the Pelstoinic coast and its northernmost point is near Galetto City.

The Harpius Ocean is the large body of water on the east side of Trablus. On its eastern edge is the continent of Shirudea.

An essay on Spratlys

It’s the hot topic recently: Spratlys. This isn’t the first time it popped up as a big issue, however. But to date, it’s at its “hottest” yet. And this latest chapter started around 6 months ago.

In the period of December 2010 to January 2011, there were reports from Vietnam that a Chinese “survey” ship was found within Vietnamese waters. Understandably, Vietnam didn’t like the presence of that ship there, thus sending it away from the area. Yet that ship was insistent in its claims that they were in Chinese waters, regardless of the fact that the area was more than 300 nautical miles away from the nearest point in China, and is around 100 nautical miles from the nearest Vietnamese coast.

In February, a Vietnamese “survey” ship then proceeded to that area in what the Vietnamese call the “Eastern Sea”, to survey the area. Yet surprise, surprise, armed Chinese ships quickly surrounded the Vietnamese ship, threatening to attack it unless it “leaves Chinese waters.” This was the similar scenario that happened with Philippine fishing boats near Spratlys in the coming months, except it’s more than 500 nautical miles from China, is well within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone or EEZ, and gunfire was actually heard (i.e. an attack actually happened – they carried out the threat).

But amid this heigthening of tension through Chinese actions, their official stance is quite far from it. Statements like “we must avoid taking unilateral actions” and “those involved must act responsibly” certainly fall on ears full of disbelief. It’s as if they are assuming that those that would listen would actually be fooled by their ridiculous rhetoric. What they said must be avoided, they did; what they said must be done, they didn’t.

Now with recent reports that an oil drilling platform would be enroute to the West Philippine Sea by July, it seems China are ignoring warning from the other claimants, as well as completely discarding what they have “officially” stated. The situation thus leads to many bleak outcomes: if war breaks out, it would most probably involve many countries, and disrupt live in the country today. Although looking at it positively, a long overdue modernization of the AFP is finally underway. Pending purchases of old frigates by the Navy to augment our current “fleet” of one frigate were recently announced. Although “old” (built in the 70s), the newcomers would be quite young compared to our lone frigate, a WWII-era ship.

Reports too of the Air Force looking to purchase MiG-29s and F/A-18s are considered good news, considering that our Air Force currently cannot be considered as such, due to the lack of fully-functional aircraft.

Yet this is not a wish for war to happen. Of course, peaceful means would still be a priority. With the US Navy’s 7th Fleet being augmented by elements from other fleets for increased military presence, this deterrence may sway China to avoid even more provocative actions in the region, and deal peacefully with the issue. But the “strengthening” of our Armed Forces must still not be ignored: “If you wish for peace, prepare for war.”

And a last point: the slightly different reaction of “militants” with regards to the issue. As has been noted by many already, had the US done something their reactions and protests would be swift and decisive. Some claim, that perhaps, these groups are actually connected, in a way, to China, ideologically and financially maybe. I won’t be sharing more of my thoughts on this for now, but suffice to say their relatively “weaker” and “slower” response certainly made more people suspicious of them. And I don’t know, or it’s just me, but I would pick the US at its worst (which is what the militants claim the US of now is) over China at its worst (the China we’ll soon be getting, at this rate).