Regional Flag of Commonwealth of Liberty

★ 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚄𝙽𝙸𝚃𝙴𝙳 𝙰𝚁𝙰𝙱 𝚁𝙴𝙿𝚄𝙱𝙻𝙸𝙲 ★

"𝖥𝖾𝖺𝗋 𝗂𝗌, 𝖨 𝖻𝖾𝗅𝗂𝖾𝗏𝖾, 𝖺 𝗆𝗈𝗌𝗍 𝖾𝖿𝖿𝖾𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗏𝖾 𝗍𝗈𝗈𝗅 𝗂𝗇 𝖽𝖾𝗌𝗍𝗋𝗈𝗒𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝗈𝗎𝗅 𝗈𝖿 𝖺𝗇 𝗂𝗇𝖽𝗂𝗏𝗂𝖽𝗎𝖺𝗅 - 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝗈𝗎𝗅 𝗈𝖿 𝖺 𝗉𝖾𝗈𝗉𝗅𝖾." ANWAR EL-SADAT

_________________

_{𝐓𝐇𝐄 "𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐌" 𝐁𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐌: 𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐃𝐄 𝟐}

_{^{1972 - ARAB REVOLUTIONARY FRONT}}

_{The radical student movement had always been a tangible and vocal presence within the political scene of the United Arab Republic, however large scale political action had always been muted out of respect to the political legacy of late President Nasser. Sadat however doesn't have the same leeway or legacy, leading to the student movement - which has grown even more radicalized as of late, flirting with both the Marxist and Islamist movements as both see a resurgence in the wake of the Six-Day War - to come out in full force, demanding change and a different path from Nasser's successor.}

_{The radicalist movement went so far as to stage a week long riot, calling on the president to enact urgent reforms, prepare for war with Israel on an immediate notice, end the hold of the intelligence apparatus on colleges, create a more open and free democratic system, and a host of other demands. The riot targeted mainly many of the U.A.R's casinos and 'upper-class' establishments that light up Cairo like Las Vegas at night. The targeting of casinos and nightclubs also helped the cause of both wings of the student movement, as Islamists viewed them as 'harmful establishments that harm the religious character of the state' while the Socialists viewed them as signs of the still dominant bourgeoise.}

_{In fact the motivations for the riots were diverse and many, the leftist and socialist wing of the student movement criticized the rise of a new bourgeoise class that has flourished thanks to the petrodollar wealth brought on by Libyan oil, while also criticizing the recent influx of foreign products and capital caused by the March 30 reforms. Meanwhile the more conservative, and Islamist elements critizied what they have perceived as moral degeneration due to both western and Soviet influences, calling on the government to pursue greater ties with the 'Islamic' nations of the Middle East such as Saudi Arabia.}

_{Not wishing to deploy the military against the student movement, President Sadat authorized the first deployment of the Popular Forces, the armed wing of the National Progressive Party. The Popular Forces units were created in 1969 under Nasser, as one of his last policies which included the 'militarization' of the party to prevent external challenges, a light paramilitary force based on guerilla warfare, the taskforce was perfect for an operation that required agile and quick operations to forcefully put it down.}

_{The following weeks were full of large-scale government propaganda to attempt to quell the situation, blaming the riots on 'external' forces that 'wished to harm the state', followed by large-scale arrests under new Minister of Interior Kamal Rifa'at (with a specific focus on arresting Islamists).}

_{In order to satisfy the radical movement, Sadat announced two decrees, one which would allow for greater political freedoms for the student unions, and a second that introduced the 'National Dialogue Framework', which is intended to be held between the National Progressive Party and various political entities, from illegal parties to opposition figures, in an attempt to create political reform that under Sadat owns word 'will make way for the establishment for a true democratic, socialist, and free United Arab Republic'.}

_{Capitalizing on the reformist wave, Sadat also inaugurated several small-scale economic reforms, including streamlining and making it easier to privatize state-owned enterprises, lowering the luxury tax, easing imports of foreign products, and cutting some red tape that hampered foreign investment in the United Arab Republic.}

Paramountica, Nippon-Nihon, New Provenance, Spain-, and 2 othersSlipway, and Zingium

The West Indies Federation of South Abrada

9 hours ago

West Indies Federation - March 1972

Justice or Persecution

During the height of the Black Power Protests in 1970, the fear that government was going to continue its violent repression of the protests with the use of the West Indies Defence Force had motivated two army lieutenants to take matters into their own hands. Raffique Shah and Rex Lassalle, officers of the Trinidad Regiment, took control of their base of Teteron Barracks and declared an open mutiny against the government of the West Indies Federation. Though their march on Port-of-Spain was dashed by the heroic efforts of the loyalist battalions and the coast guard, the mutineers have still gone on to influence the public opinion of the Black Power Movement and of the state's increased vigilance towards its own people.

When the mutiny was crushed not much longer from when it had begun by Brigadier General Joffre Serrette, the army had swiftly jailed the two men, and now have formally begun their court-martial. The verdict was always going to be the same, guilty, and it was that fact which re-ignited the discussion of the 1970 Mutiny within the country. Whether government liked it or not the mutineers had a cause that to many seemed just, stopping government from using the regiment to quell protests. So when the results of the court-martial were made public, there was outcry by the supporters of the NJAC against the army's decision to jail them. Calls for appeal began to spread around and the NJAC itself began to re-enter the streets in small numbers.

With little in the form of damage the necessity of a government response was low, and with the election season now well underway they couldn't afford to look weak and give in to these demands. Raffique Shah and Rex Lassalle were traitors and they shall be dealt with as traitors. The WIDF has seen a major increase in attention by the Eric Williams administration since the mutiny occurred, new weapons and training exercises with the mother country have been organized to keep the force prepared and ready in the event of future events like 1970. To accept the demands to appeal the mutineer's cases would be detrimental to the stability of the Defence Force, and the General has been pushing hard to prevent it from happening.

Paramountica, New Provenance, and Slipway

The United States of Paramountica

6 hours ago

Edited

^{The Brain Trust}

P O S T — C A M E L O T ¹

_{Chappaquiddick and Hyannisport}

AN AUTOMOBILE TURNS OVER ALONG THE SAND DUNES AND PAST POUCHA POND.

HYANNIS PORT, MASSACHUSETTS, Paramountica — AFTERNOON
_{THE KENNEDY COMPOUND, ALONG THE ATLANTIC BOARD}

In the room swathed by the delicate patterns of floral curtains, framed by bay windows that open onto a breathtaking view of the coastline, a place where history whispered through the walls. This was where the grandeur of the Presidential helicopter once graced the family grounds, delivering brothers JOHN F. KENNEDY, The President and ROBERT F. KENNEDY, the Attorney General during the Camelot Years . . . But now, Senator EDWARD M. KENNEDY, known affectionately as “Ted” or “EMK,” made his entrance — The family living room, a sanctuary of celebrations for Christmases and birthdays past, now became the stage for a gathering of a different sort. Guided into the center of the room by his father, the venerable former Ambassador JOSEPH P. KENNEDY, now seated in a wheelchair — a silent testament to his resilience following a stroke in '62 — EMK’s gaze swept across the familiar setting.

The space once filled with laughter, was now overtaken by a sea of faces, a conclave of former cabinet members and top advisors of the Kennedy realm, spanning administrations past and present. They were united by a singular, urgent cause: to navigate the treacherous waters of the Chappaquiddick affair. Beside him, his father, the architect of this assembly, wore a smug smile, a reflection of his unwavering confidence in the formidable intellects he had summoned. Among them stood luminaries like ROBERT McNAMARA, the strategic mind who had served as Secretary of Defense under JFK and LBJ, now at the helm of the World Bank . . . TED SORENSEN, a titan of the Atlantic intellectual elite and a cherished confidant of the Kennedy family . . . BURKE MARSHALL, whose wisdom had once guided the Justice Department and who now shaped the future at IBM . . . SARGENT SHRIVER, bound to the family not just by his role as Ambassador to France but as a son-in-law to Father Kennedy . . . STEPHEN SMITH, another family in-law, who had navigated the turbulent political waters as Senator RFK’s campaign manager and now stewarded the vast Kennedy fortune. Amidst this gathering of political strategists and kin, ROBERT F. KENNEDY, otherwise known as “BOBBY”, Senator of New York and brother, fixed TED with a stern gaze, a silent charge of the gravity of the moment. As ANN GARGAN, after ensuring the elder Kennedy's comfort, brought a chair for McNAMARAMA, who took his seat beneath the stoic image of a U.S. Naval Battleship braving the choppy Atlantic, a potent symbol of the Kennedy family's enduring legacy. In this room, amidst the convergence of minds and wills, a resolve to weather the stormiest seas.

TED SORENSEN, _{JFK Speechwriter & Lawyer}

Well, Bob, you handled that ‘62 Missile Crisis and Johnson’s Vietnam, what can we do about this?”

TED is defiant, stuffing his hands into his pockets. Refusing to make eye contact with his brother, RFK. He turns to look down towards his dad.

TED KENNEDY, _{Senator (D-MA)}

You never like to not have the influence, huh dad?”

Father Kennedy knows what is best. TED proceeds to step a few steps towards the brain trust.

TED KENNEDY, _{Senator (D-MA)}

Gentlemen, I thank you for making the trip for me. However, I hope you understand that I prefer to handle this with my own team, it’s my political future, not any of yours.”

ROBERT McNAMARA, _{Fmr. Secretary of Defence}

You’re not going to have a political future if you’re in jail. Your fighting a two front war and you don’t even realize it yet.”

TED KENNEDY, _{Senator (D-MA)}

I think you need it to cool it there. I know the issues I face with the press and the people of Massachusetts.”

McNAMARA rises to his feet, charging towards TED, pointing a stern finger close to TED’s face.

ROBERT McNAMARA, _{Fmr. Secretary of Defence}

That’s just the half of it! You’re also in massive legal trouble, son!”

TED is taken aback by McNAMARA’s verbal attack, taking a few steps back, he turns to face his father. Father Kennedy is gone, back upstairs. TED makes eye contact with RFK, who can sense what TED is thinking.

ROBERT F. KENNEDY, _{Senator (D-NY)}

Teddy, Bob’s just trying to help, we all are . . . and don’t even think about it. If you storm out, you won’t even make it to the front door before Sorensen and I both drag you back in here.”

TED has no choice but to look down towards his shoes and take the McNAMARA treatment.

ROBERT McNAMARA, _{Fmr. Secretary of Defence}

Thank you Bobby, now, Ted, if they find your negligence is the cause of the accident, that’s involuntary. If there’s even a whisper that you aren’t as clean as all of the Vatican’s saints, you’ll be charged. Not a lot of Senators charged with a crime of this degree go on to become President.”

TED KENNEDY, _{Senator (D-MA)}

I was under the idea that the whole plan is to have Bobby run again in ‘72 and beat Nixon.”

ROBERT F. KENNEDY, _{Senator (D-NY)}

We just want to keep all of our options open, Teddy. You may be the one who needs to run in ‘72 or even ‘76. Even so, something like this can even harm me.”

TED KENNEDY, _{Senator (D-MA)}

I understand options, but—”

ROBERT McNAMARA, _{Fmr. Secretary of Defence}

—And that’s not even anything to say about being convicted. If you get indicted, it won’t matter what verdict comes back. The court of public opinion will have you condemned.”

TED KENNEDY, _{Senator (D-MA)}

I’ll place Sorensen on it, we shouldn’t have a problem.”

ROBERT McNAMARA, _{Fmr. Secretary of Defence}

Problems, Ted. Problems. It’s plural. They’re three main problems. ONE, the information we know that we need to make sure no else knows. TWO, the information we don’t know, that we need to make sure remains unknown, and finally, THREE, the information you’ve already admitted that we need to make sure people forget.”

McNAMARA turns to face the rest of the group, now in a different gear, from talking down to TED to bringing order and coordination to the troops. Bringing up the fact that they need to be in control of the entire scene. TED brings up the fact that he has one of his own men, DUN GIFFORD at the funeral home. McNAMARA turns and scoffs at the news, RFK just groans in annoyance.

ROBERT McNAMARA, _{Fmr. Secretary of Defence}

Having some gopher in a suit sitting in some room isn’t getting us anywhere! There has to be certain legal and explicit procedures that must be follows. Do you know if the certificate has even been signed yet?!”

TED KENNEDY, _{Senator (D-MA)}

I-I— don’t know.”

TED rises to use the phone in the other room, to place a call to Edgartown. Moments later, he returns, with a thumbs up to McNAMARA, and goes to sit in a chair at the corner. McNAMARA nods, but clearly in no mood for TED’s overconfidence. The rest of the advisors also nod with satisfaction.

ROBERT McNAMARA, _{Fmr. Secretary of Defence}

Now to my second item...we need to look through the unknowns of this case to determine if we have any liabilities hiding around. What proof could be used against Ted to prove he acted negligently?”

TED KENNEDY, _{Senator (D-MA)}

W-wait, why are we just assuming I acted negligently?”

STEPHEN SMITH, _{Kennedy Estate Manager}

There’s someone in the Edgartown morgue.”

ROBERT F. KENNEDY, _{Senator (D-NY)}

It’s a possibility.”

TED shoots out of his seat, unable to handle this “advice” anymore. He turns from the group as he begins to explode in frustration.

TED KENNEDY, _{Senator (D-MA)}

There were no witnesses! There’s no evidence. What proof could there even be?!”

ROBERT F. KENNEDY, _{Senator (D-NY)}

Teddy, don’t act like a child.”

SORENSEN rubs his head in frustration. This is clearly a bigger scandal than anyone thought brewing.

TED SORENSEN, _{JFK Speechwriter & Lawyer}

Ted, Were your headlights working last night?”

SARGENT SHRIVER, _{U.S. Ambassador to France}

Were you wearing your seat belts?”

STEPHEN SMITH, _{Kennedy Estate Manager}

Was there enough thread on your tires?”

ROBERT McNAMARA, _{Fmr. Secretary of Defence}

Was your driver's license in good standing?”

TED doesn’t flinch at any of the questions. No reaction until McNAMARA’s question. A feeling of absolute dread falls at once over TED’s face, as he turns pail.

TED KENNEDY, _{Senator (D-MA)}

My license expired.”

The entire room breaks out in great annoyance and frustration. In a silent panic as well.

TED SORENSEN, _{JFK Speechwriter & Lawyer}

Your license is expired?!”

TED KENNEDY, _{Senator (D-MA)}

Do you think that could be an issue? How is that negligent?”

A few, such as RFK, bury their faces into their hands. What a mistake TED did. Murmurs of distress echo the room.

ROBERT McNAMARA, _{Fmr. Secretary of Defence}

Dear god, any time you get behind the wheel of a car, you're in breach of the law! I’d say that is pretty damn negligent!”

BURKE MARSHALL removes his glasses and begins to speak for the first time, with great and true authority.

BURKE MARSHALL, _{Senior V.P. at IBM}

Does anyone know the DMV inspector over at Martha's Vineyard? We’ve got to make sure to end any idea of reckless driving.”

STEPHEN SMITH, _{Kennedy Estate Manager}

Joe Greenlish runs the Hyannis DMV, we can have him help us cover this with his connections for a price.”

TED KENNEDY, _{Senator (D-MA)}

Let’s have Gifford take care of this.”

McNAMARA throws his hands up, clearly mad at TED’s idea.

ROBERT McNAMARA, _{Fmr. Secretary of Defence}

Damnit Ted! This can’t all be connected to you!”

TED rubs his forehead and takes a drink down, looking up to the ceiling, reeling in from McNAMARA’s latest condescending talk down. He’s all alone, he knows RFK agrees with McNAMARA.

STEPHEN SMITH, _{Kennedy Estate Manager}

I know a guy. His name’s James Steele. He worked as an advance man for JFK on the ‘60 campaign. Off the books. He likes it better that way.”

HYANNIS PORT D.M.V., MASSACHUSETTS, Paramountica — AFTERNOON

After some bribes, the renewal papers get stamped by the official DMV seal. The forms read from the start of last year: EDWARD M. KENNEDY — License Valid from 2/22/1968 to 2/22/1978. Soon a new license with TED’s photo is printed and and quickly shipped off. Now to the Government, the license didn’t expire last year.

KENNEDY COMPOUND, HYANNIS PORT, MASSACHUSETTS, Paramountica — AFTERNOON

McNAMARA paces as everyone remains seated. The room by now is filled with the cloud of smoke, cigarettes lighting to calm the nerves. TED is clearly uncomfortable, the youngest of any of the men here by far, both age and political experience.

ROBERT McNAMARA, _{Fmr. Secretary of Defence}

Alrighty! We’ve moved past the immediate warzones. Now we can take a look at the root of this entire issue...the things you have already stated to the police. It paints simply, the most damning portrait of negligent behavior. You left the scene of an accident and didn’t bother saying ANYTHING for Nine full hours! Didn’t Joe Gargan find you seated getting ready to eat lunch?”

TED squirms uncomfortably in his seat, unwilling to take McNAMARA’s, RFK’s, and so forth’s questioning any longer.

ROBERT McNAMARA, _{Fmr. Secretary of Defence}

Beyond the Joe part, the rest is on the record, that can’t be changed in any way, now, I think what we should do next—”

TED finally has had enough, rising from his seat, he heads straight for the door.

TED KENNEDY, _{Senator (D-MA)}

I’m gunna go to get some air.”

Nobody cares beyond RFK and McNAMARA, who are stunned at TED’s behavior.

ROBERT F. KENNEDY, _{Senator (D-NY)}

We kinda of need your help on this. I wasn’t joking when I said we may need to drag you back in here if you ah, wish to act like this.”

TED stops, turning to face his older brother.

TED KENNEDY, _{Senator (D-MA)}

Dad brought you and everyone else here to fix this, so fix this.”

ROBERT F. KENNEDY, _{Senator (D-NY)}

Teddy, don’t you day-ah!—”

But it was already too late, as RFK rose from his seat to say that, TED storms out of the room, slamming the door behind him, walking across the field where Marine One used to land, past the white flag pole with the American flag flying high against the cool summer winds of the bay, and down to the beach. Nobody really has the energy to go after him, rather focused on what to do next.

▬▬▬
_{¹ A Series: POST-CAMELOT The Lives of the Kennedy Family and their associates after the abrupt end of JOHN F. KENNEDY’s Presidency, which lasted from 1961 to 1963, approximately 1,000 days of Camelot.}

Royaume des loups, New Provenance, Al-Jammahirya al-Arabiyya, and Slipway

The Bundesrepublik of New Provenance

4 hours ago

SUDDEUTSCHE ZEITUNG
_{A Nation of Truth}

NATIONAL HEADLINE - SZ
BUNDESTAG RATIFIES BROAD INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES BILL AS VOLKSWAGEN, GERMAN COMPANIES EXPAND INTO NEW MARKETS

| (BONN, APRIL 1972) -- By a SWEEPING 331-71 vote, the German Bundestag has ratified a broad industrial subsidies bill generally known as the General Industrial Advancement Bill, aimed at allocating at least $2 million over a multi-year initiative to bring in new capital, new jobs and greater economic output to Germany's crucial manufacturing industry, which has spent the past few years being aggressively backed by the government in a bid to continue to compete feasibly with Asian competitors, particularly JAPAN. The bill was backed by the opposition CDU and the governing FDP and DfV, with the 71 votes against coming entirely from the liberal Social Democratic Party, who criticized the bill as being "too little, too late" to back German manufacturing. |

| The ratification of the bill comes as new companies, VOLKSWAGEN in particular, expand into new markets. The German automobile giant recently unveiled new plans to establish joint factories with Indonesian contractors and companies across the Southeast Asian country, as part of new diplomatic initiatives between Germany and Indonesia. Volkswagen would construct multiple new factories across Indonesia, partially bankrolled by the Indonesian government and involving various local contractors and companies, with the aim of bringing in new jobs and expanding Volkswagen's markets at the same time immensely. The Indonesian government was also in parallel involved with new agreements with the German government to expand Indonesian access and importing of German products, particularly steel and other machine products. The government has praised the agreements as landmark steps forward for German-Indonesian relations, and for German manufacturing more generally. |

| The GOVERNMENT continues to work to reorient itself and put an emphasis on economic issues and the need to bolster German industry and strengthen the country's historic export machine. Chancellor Sophie Scholl, of the progressive DfV party, recently appeared on a televised interview with Die Zeit, where she called on legislators to back a government-sanctioned bill aimed at reducing regulatory burdens for small businesses and slashing business taxes over a three-year period. The bill is causing consternation and criticism especially among labor unions and left-wing groups, who have expressed dissatisfaction with an apparent center-ward shift by the DfV on economic issues. While successes have been identified with the recent Volkswagen deal in Indonesia and the possibility of BMW making a similar entry into the country of over 121 million people. |

Royaume des loups and Al-Jammahirya al-Arabiyya

The Siamese Kingdom of Astarina

40 minutes ago

OsivoII wrote:

| TWENTY-NINTH OF NOVEMBER | 十一月二十九日 |

| 1971 |

| 8am |

PRC ★ PEOPLES’ REPUBLIC OF CHINA 中华人民共和国 |

CHINESE SOLDIERS CROSS THE SINO-SIAM LINE:
THE CHINESE PEOPLE’S VOLUNTEER STRIKES THE SINO-SIAM BORDER FOR THE LIBERATION OF LAOS ALONGSIDE THE PATHET LAO!
中国士兵跨越中暹线：中国人民志愿军沿巴寮河进攻中暹边境，解放老挝!

THE ELEPHANT SHUDDERS
November 29, 1971

| Though enemies ideologically, there had been something of an understanding between Siam and China that the only physical conflict between the two Asian powers was proxy war in Vietnam. Siam had been the primary Asian partner of South Vietnam both in terms of contributed manpower and equipment; likewise, China had poured men and weapons into the North. And so, while Siam kept a fairly sizable garrison on its northern border with China follow the liberation of Laos from the Pathet Lao, the bulk of Siamese forces in her new easternmost province were dedicated to the major cities, and the eastern portions being openly backed by Ho Chi Minh and the Chinese forces in Vietnam. |

| A strike from the north, therefore, came as quite a shock to the Royal Siamese Armed Forces. An outright military attack was unexpected, however, the Armed Forces and military police were on the ready after the Vientiane riot. Many of the Pathet Lao entering from the north to speak with Laotian civilians were apprehended indefinitely by Siamese forces, though some slipped through the cracks and were able to garner sympathy from those frustrated by Siamese rule, and more recently, the harsh rule of Governor Vang Pao. Hundreds pledged to shelter Pathet Lao and CPV forces should they establish a foothold in the north, and filter any useful information they came across to them. |

| Also proving a thorn in the Pathet Lao's side, particularly here in the rugged north, were the Hmong battalions. The Hmong had long been seen as a people that could be effectively employed in the fight against Pathet Lao insurgents and North Vietnam - their anger and passion had been further stoked by their fellow Hmong, Vang Pao, who had told them that King Rama had promised a Hmong homeland should South Vietnam and her pro-West allies emerge victorious in the Vietnam War. Though not as well-trained or equipped as their Siamese counterparts, these warriors possessed a fervour and a knowledge of the mountainous north of Laos that was unmatched. Fledgling hillside bunkers and forts had already begun construction, and some had been completed, by the time the CPV and Pathet Lao began their assault in late November. |

| The cold dry season was in full swing on November 29, sparing the CPV and Pathet Lao from lashing rains, but subjecting them to cold nights in the mountains, approaching freezing point in the highest reaches. Nevertheless, the northern forts of mainly Hmong irregulars, trained in counter-insurgency and guerrilla fighting more than conventional warfare, would soon be warmed by Chinese and Pathet Lao fire. |

| PLAAF aircraft would find a mix of Siamese and American troops and equipment in the forts of Boten, Lantouy, and Panghai. Air superiority was established fairly quickly as there was no real reason for Siamese and American aircraft to be in the air away from the eastern border with North Vietnam. Naturally the PLAAF were warned in Mandarin, Siamese, and English to leave Siamese airspace, before being targeted by M42 Duster anti-air vehicles and stationary anti-air guns. As alarms rang across the northwest and northeast of Laos, some 20,000 Hmong irregulars were equipped with their favoured M1 Carbines, M1911s, and a MANPAD and M60 in each squad, and ordered to scatter throughout towns and villages, as well as along forested roads between them, to lie in wait for major Chinese action before striking. |

| The communist forces would find an early victory in Muang Sing, facing around 200 Siamese loyalists. With the Pathet Lao forming the spearhead of the town's invasion, communications units just past the Panghai Border Crossing would receive word of scattered groups of Siamese exchanging fire with the Pathet Lao, though not in considerable numbered. With the Siamese forces thinned out after an hour or two of fighting, the CPV would find flooding into the town and killing those Siamese remaining, or forcing them to surrender, to be relatively easy. The greatest threat came from light machine gun troops stationed on top of and behind homes of local residents. |

| The capital of the eponymous district, Luang Namtha was quite a bit more fortified than Muang Sing, though still outnumbered by the Chinese forces waiting to enter. Pathet Lao screening the area were immediately met with small arms fire, radioing in the presence of at least one thousand Siamese troops, including anti-air guns, snipers, and potentially armoured vehicles. Any vehicles entering would also be met with the enthusiastic greeting of M72 LAW anti-tank rocket launchers. |

| Further east, in the villages and towns of Ban Souanteng, Ban Xiengsiao, Ban Dongneng, and Ban Nagnao, Pathet Lao and CPV forces would find opposition mainly from angry civilians and farm equipment. Nhot Ou, as a town of decent size, unsurprisingly had the biggest garrison of actual soldiers, with 500 or so in the area exchanging fire and hunkering down. |

| Boun Neua, deep in the mountains and part of the territory promised to the Hmong, would likely prove to be the most difficult theatre of the CPV's northern incursion, at least at first. The Hmong troops under Siamese and American training had been deployed mainly in mountainous areas, to acclimatise and make any North Vietnamese incursions a nightmare. There would be an eerie silence as the 7th CPV and Kan Podpony Company approached Boun Neua, before they were suddenly rained on by 105 mm howitzers a mile or so from the town. A minute later the commmunists would take fire from an unknown number of enemies from the hills and brush around but not behind them, seemingly from small arms. |

| After news of the skirmishes reached Krung Thep, the Siamese government has met to discuss further plans to defend Laos from communist aggression. Assuming Chinese involvement but without concerete proof just yet, the government has held out on making a complaint to the United Nations, but nevertheless Prime Minister Sanya Dharmasakti and King Rama IX have requested to speak with President Nixon, to discuss further assistance in the face of "Red Chinese aggression". |

The United States of GreatNewEngland

37 minutes ago