Albith Convention
The Albith Convention is a significant, internationally recognized, non-binding agreement between various nations in Anteria. It was drafted during the Albith Conference as a proactive response to the events of the Spring War, namely the usage of nuclear weaponry and, to a smaller extent, the conduct of nations during international diplomatic events such as future conferences and summits. The Convention was authorized for ratification by the Albith Conference on April 2nd, 2017, and quickly garnered support from most of the international community, coming into effect that same day.
Background
Overview
The Convention consists of seven clauses, five of which deal directly with future nuclear aggression in Anteria, and how the international community may respond to such aggression. The last two clauses comprise as general instructions for proper conduct during multilateral diplomatic meetings.
Nuclear Measures
Clause I calls upon all nuclear capable, signatory nations to prepare to use their nuclear arsenal against an aggressive nation that threatens, plans, or knowingly conspires to utilize their own nuclear arsenal, without provocation, against any nation in an offensive manner. The aim of this clause is to prevent further escalation of the conflict into a nuclear war by forcing an offending nation from following through with an atomic course of action.
Clause II gives justification to signatory nations, nuclear capable or otherwise, to intercept the delivery of nuclear ordnance that was initiated by an aggressive nation in an offensive manner. This clause establishes that such interception will not be considered an act of war, but a humanitarian engagement.
Clause III gives justification to all nuclear capable, signatory nations to utilize their nuclear arsenal against an aggressive nation that has successfully carried out an offensive nuclear attack on any nation. While it is hoped that this clause will never be reached, it is included for the purpose of punishing an offending nation for using nuclear weapons offensively against another nation.
Clause IV is implemented when Clause II or III are instigated, and establishes a tribunal where all signatory nations are invited to join, with the except of the offending nation that attempted/carried out the nuclear attack. The purpose of the tribunal is to bring the individuals who authorized the nuclear attempt/attack to justice. The clause further specifies that this tribunal must be included in all armistice agreements with the offending nation.
Clause V is also implemented when Clause III is instigated, and establishes an international commission consisting of nuclear capable, signatory nations who wish to join, with the exception of the offending nation. The purpose of the commission is to disarm, with force if necessary, the entirety of the offending nation's nuclear arsenal, and to safely dismantle such nuclear ordnance so that they may never be utilized again. The clause further states that any armistice agreement with the offending nation must contain a stipulation for the said nation to relinquish control of their nuclear arsenal to the international commission.
Diplomatic Measures
Clause VI expresses that nations participating in an international, multilateral meeting must act in good faith towards the goal of the meeting. The background reason for this clause was in response to nations that were unwilling to negotiate during the Draku Conference, which was part of the reason the talks broke down.
Clause VII forbids participating nations from engaging in military operations against another participating nation while a international meeting is underway. This is to prevent forceful coercion during multilateral talks. Another aim is to provide a peaceful diplomatic forum during such meetings that is free from violence.
Non-Binding Status
The Convention, itself, does not obligate or require signatory nations to act "in accordance" with other signatory nations. In the Convention, it is frequently implied that the agreement does not bind nations to act in a certain way, but merely encourages nations to act "in association" with each other. The primary drafter, Albithica, felt that while a binding agreement would be more effective, it would find fewer signatories, since many nuclear capable nations, while believing in the principles the Convention is founded upon, are opposed to obligating agreements that threaten their national sovereignty. This proved to be correct when a small minority of nations during the Conference expressed the desire for a more binding agreement, which prompted a majority of nations to express that they would not sign if the agreement was binding.