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by The International Organization of The-United Nations. . 542 reads.

Greater Middle East | Suggested Claims


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T H EG R E A T E RM I D D L EE A S T
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"Stretching from the pristine sands of Morocco to the vast unforgiving steppes of Kazakhstan, from the rivers that brought civilization to the world in Iraq and the bustling bazaars from Cairo, Tehran and Istanbul: The Greater Middle East is a land of richness and stories to be told."



- Suggested Claims -

Here is a list of claims that the moderation team views as important, and therefore suggests should be given priority by members looking to take on new claims. Please remember that this list is not all-inclusive, but may be useful for anyone looking for some inspiration as to what to claim. The notes accompanying each claim are only suggestions! While realism takes precedent, alternate history is totally welcome as long as it is within reasonable boundaries.

DISCLAIMER: Please make sure to check the Regional Map to ensure that the claim is available before applying.



T H EA M E R I C A S

CLAIM

NOTES

Mexico

  • Initially formed as an empire, Mexico experienced several government changes in the early 1800s, culminating in a dictatorship under Santa Anna. The northern half of the country was lost to the United States in the Mexican-American war (1845-1848).

  • After years of successive governments, the country suffered through waves of domestic upheaval in the early 1900s. It was a one-party state between 1929 and 2000.

  • Today, Mexico is a borderline developing country, sometimes classified as a newly industrialized state. Despite serious issues with poverty, crime and drug and human trafficking, the country is recognized as an emerging regional power in North America.

Colombia

  • Formed as the successor state to Gran Colombia in the mid 1800s, Colombia is the third-most-populated country in Latin America.

  • Home to a very large drug industry and experiencing continued poverty issues, Colombia has nonetheless experienced unprecedented economic growth in recent years.

Argentina

  • Having gained independence from Spain in the early 1800s, Argentina was settled significantly by Italians and Spaniards.

  • Argentina is a developing country located in the southern region of South America, across the Southern Ocean from Antarctica.

  • The country continues to dispute the Falkland Islands with Britain into the modern era. The countries fought a ten-week war over the islands in 1982, which Britain won.

Venezuela

  • Venezuela has the world's largest known oil reserves and is a leading exporter of oil. It’s government, currently a Socialist government, is friendly with Russia and China, but by association has become a controversial state with its neighbours and with the Western World.

  • Poor economic policies have led to record hyperinflation, goods shortages, unemployment and poverty, alongside severe crime rates.

CONCEPT - Inuit Confederation

  • Post-colonial nation founded after the dissolution of the Nordic colonial empire. The nation is divided into several municipalities by tribe with the nation's capital and largest city Nuuk located on the island of Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland).

  • The Inuit Confederation is an epicenter of tribal life in the American Arctic with its own unique history and cultures. The Inuit Confederation is a popular tourist destination for those seeking an otherworldly travel experience. The economy is dominated by the fishing industry supplemented by the tourism industry.

  • Although one of the most peaceful nations in the world, it is not a very powerful military force, leaving the Inuit Confederation vulnerable to hostile nations and heavily reliant on neighbors for protection.

  • The claim would consist of Greenland and parts of Canada.

A S I A

CLAIM

NOTES

Saudi Arabia

  • Begun by a series of conquests by the House of Saud, Saudi Arabia was formed in 1932, controlling the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula. It grew into a powerful Islamic autocracy during the Cold War.

  • Saudi Arabia contains the cities of Mecca and Medina, which are considered sacred in Islam. Nearly the entire population adheres to Sunni Islam, and many of the country's laws, government and institutions are founded in traditional Islamic law.

  • The country is infamous for often drastic human rights abuses and violations.

  • Saudi Arabia is the world's largest oil exporter, a key member of OPEC and boasts the fifth-highest military expenditure in the world.

Afghanistan

  • Afghanistan is a tumultous landlocked country in Central Asia with an interesting history of various conflicts and civil wars.

  • It is often referred to as the Graveyard of Empires, referencing the many times it has been conquered by various empires who have failed to establish a foothold there.

  • In 1973, the Kingdom of Afghanistan was removed in a coup that saw a communist government come to power.

  • After a war with Soviet Russia, the Islamist Taliban took control of the country, which eventually led to the US invasion and the removal of the Taliban in 2001.

  • The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan was once again toppled in 2021 by the Taliban, who re-established the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.



    CONCEPTS:

  • Kingdom of Afghanistan: Mohammad Zahir Shah, the last King of Afghanistan, returned from his exile in Italy following the removal of the Taliban regime. His return was widely welcomed by Afghans, and he was liked by all ethnic groups. There were proposals for a return to the monarchy – Zahir Shah himself let it be known that he would accept whatever responsibility was given him by the Loya Jirga, which he initiated in June 2002. However he was obliged to publicly renounce monarchical leadership at the behest of the United States (as the US had the belief that Pakistan will not accept him as King, who still feared his stance on the Durand Line issue), who favored a more republican government like the US itself. Despite this, most of the delegates to the Loya Jirga were prepared to vote for Zahir Shah and block the U.S.-backed Hamid Karzai. However, with the US veto of the restoration of the monarchy, Hamid Karzai became the first elected president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Many believe that a monarchy would have unified the nation, as Mohammad Zahir Shah was respected by all ethnic groups. With the Pashtuns not accepting to be ruled by anyone other than a Pashtun leader, Mohammad Zahir Shah (an ethnic Pashtun himself), could have become King and left space for Prime Ministers to be elected from the other ethnicities of Afghanistan, such as the Tajiks, Hazara, or Uzbeks. So what if the US didn't veto the call for the restoration of the Afghan monarchy? How would the return of Mohammad Zahir Shah change the course of the nation?

North Korea

  • Despite claiming sovereignty over the entirety of Korea, North Korea controls only the northern half of the peninsula.

  • The DPRK is one of the most tyrannical and despotic regimes on earth, ruled by Kim Jong-Un under the ideals of Juche.

  • North Korea has developed nuclear weapons, often troubling its neighbors and the United States with threats of a nuclear launch. THIS IS THE ONLY CLAIM PERMITTED TO ENGAGE IN NUCLEAR RP OUTSIDE THE NUCLEAR POWERS.

  • Formed during the 1950s Korean War stalemate, the country is one of the world's last surviving communist states. It is heavily sanctioned by the international community.

United Arab Emirates

  • Formed as a federation of seven Arab states, the UAE has since grown immensely wealthy as a producer of oil and natural gas.

  • This is one of the wealthiest and most advanced nations in the world.

Qatar

  • Qatar, like the UAE, is a major producer of oil and natural gas.

  • The Persian Gulf nation is known for its big money spending on football, as well its alleged financial backing of various Islamist groups throughout the Middle East.

Oman

  • Oman is one of the most peaceful nations in the Middle East, often likened to the Switzerland of the Middle East.

  • Oman is the only country where Ibadi Islam is the majority religion.

  • In the 70s, the Omani sultanate successfully put down a rebellion with the help of Iran, known as the Dhofar Rebellion.



    CONCEPTS:

  • Modern Day Omani Empire: The Omani Empire was a maritime empire in the Middle East, vying with Portugal and Britain for trade and influence in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. At its peak in the 19th century, Omani influence or control extended across the Strait of Hormuz to modern-day Iran and Pakistan, and as far south as Cape Delgado. What if this Empire had managed to survive into the modern day? A modern day Omani Empire would consist of territory such as Oman, Yemen, and Zanzibar.

India

  • India is the most populated democratic country in the world, and with its current growth is due to have the largest population in the world.

  • A mesh of cultures and languages, India also has a fast-growing major economy, with a rapidly expanding middle class and a space programme. Aside from this, it is one of the few nuclear weapons states in the world, and has one of the largest militaries in the World.

  • It clashes with neighbour Pakistan over the Kashmir region.



    CONCEPTS:

  • Kingdom of India: Before British Colonialism, India was the land of Kings, Maharajas, and Sultans, and is still home to many different royal families. Perhaps one of these royal families could restore the dynasty of their ancestors or even start a new one following freedom from the British?

Pakistan

  • Pakistan is a middle power situated in Asia, and is has the second largest muslim population in the world. Pakistan is a regional power, having been involved in Afghanistan and it’s conflict with India over Kashmir.

  • It has a growing economy with a large armed forces, and is a nuclear weapons state.

  • Pakistan is a regional power, having been involved in Afghanistan and it’s conflict with India over Kashmir.

  • Some of the challenges that face Pakistan include poverty and illiteracy, as well as terrorism.

  • It is a major non-NATO ally of the United States, and enjoys positive relations with them.



    CONCEPTS:

  • Modern Day Mughal Empire: Perhaps the descendants of the Mughal Empire, India's last large empire, would become the basis for the creation of Pakistan as a nation. After ousting the British, the descendants of the Mughal Royal Family would stake a strong claim that they deserve the right to rule India due to being the last rulers of the subcontinent before the British takeover. After disagreements with Ghandi, who wished to see a secular republic in India, the Mughals and their followers (perhaps led by Jinnah) would establish a breakaway state in what is now modern day Pakistan. Events would play out more or less the same as irl but instead of an Islamic Republic, Pakistan would be ruled by the remains of the Mughal Empire.

Central Asia

  • Five nations form this region: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

  • With a long and varied history, the region came under Russian and later Soviet control in the late 1800s and early 1900s, gaining independence following the collapse of the USSR.

  • Home to large Turkic communities, today these countries are some of the most corrupt in Asia, especially Turkmenistan.



    CONCEPTS:

  • Turkic Confederation: Perhaps the mainly Turkic nations that broke away from the Soviet Union would join together and create a confederation of sorts?

  • Greater Tajikistan: Tajikistan is the only Persian speaking nation of the Soviet breakaway states. Though a small landlocked nation now, was once a major area of Central Asia in medieval times and a major center of Persian culture and poetry. With this claim, you can restore Tajikistan to its former glory! Greater Tajikistan would comprise of all of modern day Tajikistan, as well as Eastern Uzbekistan, which is home to a majority Tajik population, as well as the important Tajik cities of Samarkand and Bukhara.

  • Communist Nation: With communism still having strong support in some post-Soviet nations following the breakaway, perhaps one of the new governments of one of these nations could have failed and fallen back into communism?

A F R I C A

CLAIM

NOTES

Anything!

  • Until very recently, Africa was very isolated and empty of players. With a recent spike in activity on the continent, we'd love to see more role-players join in! Requirements for African claims to pass are somewhat more lax than those on other continents, so (reasonable) alternative history is very common and very welcome in this region.

  • African claims are also perfect for roleplaying military conflicts and civil wars.

Algeria

  • Algeria is the largest country in Africa and the Arab World, with a diverse terrain comprising of fertile lands in the North and the Sahara in the south.

  • Rich in ancient history and tradition, Algeria is a melting pot of different cultures.

  • Despite its location across the Mediterranean, Algeria was officially part of France until 1962, when it finally gained independence following an eight-year war.

  • Algeria is home to the ninth-largest reserves of natural gas and has the largest defense budget in Africa.

  • The country is a member of the African Union, OPEC, the Arab League, and the United Nations.

Ethiopia

  • Ethiopia has a very long history, its origins dating back to the 2nd millennium BC. The country was a major source of inspiration for nationalists in both Africa and the diaspora in the West Indies.

  • Ethiopia was occupied by Italy in 1936, but was liberated during the second world war. In 1974, the monarchy was overthrown and Ethiopia became a socialist state after a decade-long military junta.

  • Today, despite being one of the world's poorest and most illiterate countries, Ethiopia has the largest population and GDP in East Africa.

Nigeria

  • Situated in West Africa, Nigeria is one of the largest and is the most populated country in Africa.

  • A multinational, multi-linguistic and multi-religious state, Nigeria presents an interesting blend of cultures for players who are looking for a diverse nation to play.

  • It has the largest economy in Africa, referred to as the ‘Giant of Africa’, with an abundance of strategic resources and is considered an emerging global power, balanced out by corruption issues and poverty.

Morocco

  • Morocco is a kingdom with access to both the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, it enjoys relationships with Africa, the Arab world and Europe due to its location.

  • It also has a number of interesting territorial dynamics, including claims of Western Sahara and on the Spanish Exclaves of Ceuta, Melila and Penon de Velez de la Gomera.

  • It has remained a relatively stable political state, but continues in a frozen conflict over disputed territories.

South Africa

  • South Africa is one of the most interesting and diverse countries on the continent.

  • Having 3 capitals, and a variety of different ethnic groups including the largest communities of White, Indian, Chinese and Multiracial Africans on the continent.

  • Despite it’s dark history, it is an emerging industrial economy, with the third largest economy on the continent. However, it suffers from issues with poverty, crime and inequality, as well as the effects of climate change.

CONCEPT - Merina Kingdom

  • The Merina Kingdom, or Kingdom of Madagascar, officially the Kingdom of Imerina, was a pre-colonial state off the coast of Southeast Africa that, by the 19th century, dominated most of what is now Madagascar.

  • Having control of the entire island of Madagascar, the kingdom's economy boosted due to trade with the Swahili city-states, Arabs and their far flung cousins in Indonesia.

  • In 1895, the island of Madagascar was taken over by the French. But what if the Merina Kingdom had successfully repelled the French invasion, becoming one of the few nations that withstood against European imperialism?

E U R O P E

CLAIM

NOTES

Sweden

  • Sweden was formed as a kingdom in the medieval era and was often embroiled in competition with Russia, Poland and Prussia for dominance in the Baltic region.

  • After the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars, Sweden became a neutral country, remaining non-aligned in the first and second world wars.

  • Today, Sweden is one of the wealthiest and most socially progressive and multicultural countries on earth, a key member of the European Union and an important member of the United Nations.

Poland

  • Once a powerful and influential kingdom in Europe, Poland ceased to exist entirely between 1795 and the end of world war one, when it was reborn as an independent republic.

  • After being destroyed again by Nazi and Soviet forces in 1939, Poland was transformed into a one-party communist regime, and remained a key member of the eastern bloc during the cold war.

  • Following the collapse of communist rule in Poland in 1989, the country became a multiparty democracy and a member of NATO.

Italy

  • Italy was united into one country in the mid 1800s after centuries of foreign rule and internal division.

  • The country became a fascist state in the early 1920s, under the rule of Benito Mussolini. It joined the axis powers in 1940, but saw little success. The Italian government ousted Mussolini in 1943 and was liberated by the allies.

  • Today, Italy is a wealthy and developed nation, a member of NATO and the European Union. However, rampant immigration from Africa, tensions between north and south Italy and a very severe COVID-19 pandemic have plagued the country in recent years.



    CONCEPTS:

  • Venetian Republic: An aristocratic, classically liberal state in the heart of the Veneto region renowned for its culture & arts and sinking capitol.

Liechtenstein

  • A German, Roman Catholic micro-state in the heart of the Alps.

  • The Prinicpality of Lichteinstein is a unitary parliamentary semi-constitutional monarchy under a semi-direct democracy that gained independence from the German Confederation in 1866.

Ireland

  • The Republic of Ireland occupies most of the island of Ireland, off the coast of England and Wales.

  • Its capital, Dublin, is the birthplace of writers like Oscar Wilde, and home of Guinness beer. The 9th-century Book of Kells and other illustrated manuscripts are on show in Dublin’s Trinity College Library.

  • Dubbed the "Emerald Isle” for its lush landscape, the country is dotted with castles like medieval Cahir Castle.

  • The country's animosity with United Kingdom led to the creation of the Irish Repulican Army (IRA), which carried out various military attacks in the UK in an effort to liberate Northern Ireland.



    CONCEPTS:

  • United Ireland: A united Ireland free from British rule. This claim would consist of both the modern day Republic of Ireland, as well as the UK controlled Northern Ireland.

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