Union of Free Ummah Republics

Union of Free Ummah Republics اتحاد جمعيات الأمة الحرة
Flag
Motto: Free Republics for Free Peoples
Capital	Damasq
Largest city	Tartus
Recognised national languages	No Offical
Recognised regional languages	Arabic Turkic Sureth Kurdish Hebrew Greek Phoenician Aryan Galatian
Ethnic groups	Arabs 37% Turks 23% Assyrians 5% Kurds 4% Armenians 3% Jews 4% Greeks 8% Cappadocian Greek 1% Samaritans 1% Phoenicians 1% Druze 2% Aryans 5% Azerbajani 5% Galatians 1%
Religion	No State Religion
Government	Syndicalist People’s Republic Union
Legislature	People's Congress
• Upper house	Senate of the Peoples
• Lower house	Ummahic Council
Establishment
• Articles of the New Republic	1921
Population
• Estimate	56, 105, 000
Currency	Dinar

The Union of Free Ummah Republics or UFUR is a country located in Tellurian which makes up the majority of the Middle East, Caucasus, and Anatolia. It borders the !Alexandria Kingdom to the West, the SIA to the North, and Volkov and the Aryan Empire to the East.

The UFUR was formed out of the ruins of the Auviran Empire after the signing of its’ founding document, the Declaration of a Free Peoples, in 1923 in the Grand Assembly that followed the end of the War Against Imperialism and Self Liberation. The nation war formed as a Socialist Union between the numerous sub-republics that made up the fledgling state. The first near-decade of its’ existence saw rapid political, social, and economic development under the leadership and ideology of its’ first President, ______.

The death of _____ in 1931 saw the country spiral into chaos, however. The numerous issues relating to autonomy, military strongmen, and political divisions saw the fledgling nation splinter while central authority wanned day by day. By 1936 the country was heavily divided, had failed to reach its’ developmental goals in Mesopotamia, the Levante Interior, and has faced numerous uprisings from Arab tribes in Arabia.

Politics

Government

The UFUR is officially a socialist republic with a Tricameral government. The Upper Chamber is represented by the Council of the Nations. The Council of the Nations is elected by the individual republics within the UFUR with equal representation of two counselors each. The Lower Chamber is represented by the Council of the People who are elected on a national level based on electoral sectors with the number of representatives being decided by population. Finally is the National Union, a trade congress where representatives of recognized trade unions assemble.

The Lower Chamber is arguably the most important of the Legislative Branch and holds the power to propose legislation and impeach federal level officials. The Upper Chamber has the power the confirm or reject legislation of the Lower Chamber. Both houses must agree to elect a Prime Minister. The National Union meanwhile has the powers to “defend the rights of the working people. When the Union reaches a ¾ majority they have the power to veto any bill that is a “threat to the working people” as well as reject a Prime Minister.

The current formation of government was formed as part of the compromise that formed the Articles of the New Republic, the agreement between the numerous Anti-Auverian groups and leaders from across the Auverian Empire. After a long debate it was decided that a market socialist Republic would be formed that respected the rights of every individual nation while being united under one Republic. The Upper Chamber was designed to reflect the rights of each Republic as an equal part of the greater nation by granting it the right to reject legislation that can be a threat to the stability of the UFUR. The Lower Chamber, by contrast, was designed to represent all the people of the UFUR as people belonging to one nation, a nation which grants them the right to propose changes in the UFUR. Finally the Union is to ensure that the rights of the working people are never forgotten by acting as a Tribune that can reject legislation that is a direct threat to the people and unions.

Unfortunately the actual power of the central government, and even the power of the sub-Republics, are far more limited than what the law says they should have. The UFUR has suffered greatly from warlordism, especially outside the core of Syria and Anatolia. In these areas the government is closer to feudalism as Generalissimos hand out power to their lieutenants to maintain control. Many representatives from these areas are products of vote rigging by the generals leading to corruption and lack of legislation against these problems.

Political Movements

In a country as large as the UFUR there are dozens of different political parties and movements pushing for one ideology or another, though many will fall under some form of the socialist banner. Though freedom has been assured to all thought in the UFUR directly nationalist movements are rarely tolerated and are often suppressed.

Faction	Position	General Positions	Leader	Seats in the Popular Assembely	Bloc
Union Socialist Party	Left	Market Socialism, Unionism, Industrialization		200 / 450	Majority
The People's Party	Far Left	Vanguard Socialism, Industrialization, Centralization		71 / 450	Minority
The Modernist Party	Left	Technocratic Socialism, Industrialization, Modernization, Unionism		35 / 450	Majority
Nationalities Front	Center-Left	Agarian Interests, Decentralization, Populism, Big-Tent		75 / 450	Cross-Bench
Democratic Front	Center-Right	Social Democracy, Conservatism, Democrotization, Federalism, Big-Tent		40 / 450	Opposition
Civic Interest	Center	Pragmatism, Reform, Big-Tent		40 / 450	Opposition
New Way	Right	Right-Wing Populism, Mutual Nationalism, Centralization, Militarization		18 / 450	Opposition

Republics

Republics of the Union of Free Ummah Republics

Flag, name & abbreviation		Cities		Establishment or recognition	Population 1932 estimate	First Minister	Head of State <or> First Secretary	Administrative Type	% of GDP	GDP Per Capita
		Capital	Largest
{{}} Pontus	PON	Trabazond		Oct 11, 1921	2,955,000	Alexas Nordion	Georgios Sevros	Republic	5%
{{}} Transcauscian Republic	TRA	Marienberg		Oct 11, 1921	4,570,000	[[]]	[[]]	Republic	4%
{{}} The Palatine Popular Republic	PAL	Caesarea		Oct 11, 1921	2,240,000	[[]]	[[]]	Republic	4%
{{}} Syriac Free Territory	SFT	Assur		Oct 11, 1921	1,050,000	[[]]	[[]]	Republic	1%
{{}} Yemenese People's Union	YEM	Yeren		Oct 11, 1921	5,250,000	[[]]	[[]]	Republic	3%
{{}} Osari Democratic Republic	OSI	Al-Osari		Oct 11, 1921	800,000	[[]]	[[]]	Republic	1%
{{}} Central East Republic	CER	Tartus		Oct 11, 1921	18,900,000	[[]]	[[]]	Republic	30%
{{}} Anatolian Administrative Zone	CER	Arp-Asla		Oct 11, 1921	12,400,000	[[]]	[[]]	Special Administrative Zone	20%
{{}} Interior Administrative Zone	CER	[[]]		Oct 11, 1921	6,309,000	[[]]	[[]]	Special Administrative Zone	12%

History

Geography

The UFUR is rather geographically diverse though desert terrain makes up the majority of the Union's landmass. Anatolia and the Caucuses are mountanous areas broken up by flat coastal plains and interior mountain vallies. To the south lies the fertile vallies of Mesopotamia and the Mediterranian pastures of Syria. The furthest south lies the great deserts of Arabia only broken by mountain ranges giving way to more temperate vallies and other coastal planes affording some escape from the encroaching sands.

Ethnic Groups and Language

The UFUR has a wide verity of languages though Standard Arabic, Greek, and Anatolian Turkic are the most widely spoken. Due to this verity the union has no offical national language (though Arabic is preferred). Each republic, however, may have their own offical languages though the constitution guarantees that all spoken languages must be at least recognized. Traditionally Turkic was considered the lingua franca of the upper and middle class as most matters of state in the Suvari Empire was undertaken in Anatolian Turkic (note that traditional Turkic more familiar to the steps have diverged and did not share the same status). Arabic was considered a secondary lingua franca being familiar to most traders and was widely spoken as a second language in most urban centers. Since the revolution it has increasingly replaced Turkic as the language of administration and so has been on the rise as a second language. Greek never spread to the same extent, but, as many universities were Greek institutions, had a reputation as an academic language as well as one of diplomacy. Some non-ethnic Greek communities (especially in Urban centers) also adopted the language thanks to previous Greek kingdoms ruling the area pre-Turkic and Arabic invasion.

The Suvari Empire ran an unwritten ethnic hierarchy where each ethnicity had a certain caste that Suvari administrators assigned to them. Though such practises had been combated since the coming of the UFUR these policies are still reflected within each group.

Arabs

The Arabs are the largest ethnic group being originally native to Arabia but having long since migrated to the Levant and Mesopotamia. Due to the size of the ethnicity and the variety of modern settlements the Arab ethnic group is often subdivided into different groups with the largest being the Syrian Arabs, Mesopotamian Arabs, and the Arabian Bedouins.

The Arabs traditionally have been a significant part of the agrarian and merchant class, especially for overland and interior trade. Arabs also are one of the more urbanized groups and are important in manufacturing and in the Suvari Empire as power brokers. In the modern era Arabs make up a significant portion of the army and political class.

The Syrian Arabs are culturally close to Cybellum being mostly Catholic in religion and having strong ties with Greek traders. The Mesopotamian Arabs are considered to be a melting pot culture having adopted many of the characteristics of the native river civilizations while also maintaining strong cultural ties to more traditional Arabic practices. They are largely Catholic but with a significant Eastern Christanity and Coptic minority along with some other faiths. Finally the Bedouins continue to practice their native, nomadic lifestyle away from government control. They run camel trade networks across the deserts and maintain important culture, religious, and trading cities. The majority religion is unclear though “Manchianism , a faith combining the practices of native religious movements, Christanity, and Zoroastrianism appears to be the most popular faith. There are also tribes that follow pagan deities, Judaism, and Christnaity.

Turks

The Turks have been the traditional ruling class since the time of the second wave of Turkic invasions. Most Turks have largely integrated to being a Cybellum culture leaving behind their traditional nomadic ways. Many Turks have been employed in bureaucratic positions, as officers, teachers, military cavalry, as landowners, and in agriculture. Since the revolution their status in administration and the military has decreased. The Turks overwhelmingly follow the Church of the East though waves of secularization added with relaxing religious laws in the late 19th century has seen a notable growth in agnosticism.

Greeks

The Greeks are one of the oldest non-native ethnic groups to inhabit the territory of the UFUR. Many settled as merchant communities in the ancient era with full cities rising in the wake of Alexander’s conquests. The stability brought by the Alpine Republic’s conquest of the mideast led to further communities settling in the region leading Greeks to become a significant minority - and even majority - in many coastal areas. Greeks continue to be instrumental in overseas trade, education, and diplomacy. In the days of the differing Turkic kingdoms and empires many Greeks were also employed as high quality mercenaries leading to an ongoing tradition of mercenary companies.

Foreign Relations

The UFUR is generally on cold terms with its’ neighbors, if not outright hostile. As the largest socialist country on the planet it has earned the ire of many countries across the world, especially those of a more conservative disposition. That is not to say that the UFUR is politically isolated, however.

neutral

The SIA

Relations between the two countries have been cold since the UFUR’s founding. There is significant anger towards the SIA, especially among Turkish Nationalists, over their protection of the old Imparator and the occupation of Cyprus. Many others believe that the SIA’s occupation of the edge of Anatolia is a sign of hostility and a potential security hazard. Naturally there is anger towards the Empire for their part in the last Great War as well. Often veteran movements are some of the most hostile towards the old Empire. Finally, many socialists believe that the SIA is perhaps one of the most backwards and oppressive regimes in the world and dream of seeing the millions of peasants within its borders liberated at last.

That’s not to say relations are all bad, however. The SIA has largely kept to itself preventing the starting of border clashes. Many catholics feel some connection with a fellow catholic country as well, though there have been some tensions between the two churches. Finally the large Greek minority in the UFUR have maintained connections with fellow Greeks living across the sea spanning the course of generations.

Volkov

rivals

Aryan Empire

Relations between the UFUR and the Aryans are the product of hundreds to thousands of years of rivalries. Most strategic planners view the Aryan Empire as the greatest rival and threat to the revolution and wish to see it destroyed as soon as possible. Furthermore many socialists view the oppressive empire as the perfect jumping off point to spreading the revolution further in _____. Border skirmishes are not uncommon and when tensions get hot oftentimes many Aryans living in the SIA are treated with suspciion.

Republic of Hellenia

The Egyption based Greek State is perhaps the UFUR’s greatest rival in the region. Many strategic planners and expansionists see the islands of !Egypt as both a strategic priority and a prime target for the exportation of the revolution.

However, the desire for strategic security and expansion is not the true reason for the seething hatred that this small Greek Republic has in the hearts of a many UFUR citizen. The Republic has blatantly imposed segregationist laws which ensure the Greeks remain at the top of their society while all others suffer beneath them. Many declare it is an insult to even refer to them as a republic at all and should instead be viewed as a racial oligarchy. The hatred for Hellenia is so strong that it is likely a full scale war would have already erupted if not for the difficulty of attacking across the sea and fears of local uprisings of Copts and Arabs in Hellenia and Greeks in the UFUR.

organizations

The Internationale

The UFUR is the head and often the host of the meeting of the Internaitonale, a meeting of leftist political parties and nations from across the world. Here issues relating to philosophy, defense, support for revolutionary movements, and bringing light to world issues can be safely discussed without fear of suppression.

!OPEC

As a major oil producing country the UFUR is part of the organization of petroleum producers. Despite the benefits of being aligned with the other oil producers of the world, this has been met with considerable internal criticism. Many see the organization and pushing the interests of the elite above all else, while others see it as an unnecessary hamper on economic development. As more and more oil is discovered and exploited within the UFUR many support moving towards economic independence.

Military

Army

The strongest, and most influential, branch of the UFUR military is by far the army. UFUR commanders have extensively researched and gathered experience from the previous Great War and Revolution. Recent campaigns against tribes in !Arabia have taught commanders about the importance of quality soldiers, logistics, vehicles, proper equipment. Strides have been made to build fuel efficient and reliable light vehicles for transportation and troop equipment. Light tanks too have been making appearances on the battlefield to offer field support. The Army Air Force has even begun experimentation with the new technology of helicopters for recon and light air support.

Navy

The navy is surprisingly small considering the large ports of the Syrian coast. There are many reasons for this. For one the majority of the Auverian Fleet along with the experience of its officers were lost during the Great War with many of the remaining ships fleeing to Cyprus. A large reason for the UFUR’s small navy is that the navy has traditionally been the domain of the Turks. The army, who has far more representation in government and across the UFUR is highly reluctant to see funding shifted to the navy, a navy that would likely again fall under Turkic or Greek officers. Many military officials also see investing in a large and expensive navy as a pointless endeavor. The UFURs greatest enemies are in the deserts and mountains, what use would a navy be when it could never compete with the SIA?

Airforce

The air force has not yet been made an independent force, largely due to its small size. As previously mentioned most air force units are attached to individual regiments or armys often used in small scale recon and air support roles. What airforce does exist are largely antiquated biplanes and experimental helicopters.

Though there has been a push in some of the younger members of the officer core and government to begin rapid expansion of the air force the extreme costs of such an operation have pushed this back. The air force officers have little sway in the government to push for such a costly operation that would not only require a complete military overhaul, but would also require investing in domestic air manufacturers which are almost non-existent in the UFUR.

Economy

The economy of the UFUR massively varies depending on where one is. Around the core of the UFUR industry is a major staple of the economy and many citizens in these areas live in conditions that could be classified as “middle income”. However this is not the case across the entire country. Many outlier regions are decades behind, much of the south is still dominated by old tribal economies that have remained largely untouched for centuries. Some still prefer isolated economies of internal trading, only seeking the outside for specialty goods. However, change is coming. Oil is increasingly being discovered in often the most underdeveloped of regions bringing investment, regardless of local opinions.

The Core

The core of the UFUR remains firmly planted in the Levante and coastal Anatolia. Here is the home to the UFURs greatest and most successful infrastructure projects and the homes of much of the leadership cadre. This is nothing new, of course, under the centuries and millennia of different nations and empires these areas have been the most developed. The ports of the Greek Cities and Syria have been deeply connected to Mediterranian trade networks with generations of experience in trade, shipbuilding, and industry. Many in these areas, especially in the cities are educated, whether from church schools, private institutes, the former Suvarian civil education services, and now the secularized UFUR public school systems. The majority of people in these areas will have at least a highschool education with many specialists to support their ranks.

The Outskirts

Mesopotamia is perhaps the best example of what like is like for the average UFUR citizen outside the two extremes of the core and frontier. Here little has changed in centuries besides the faces of those who rule them. Often the outskirts of the UFUR are dominated by military strongmen who, since the death of ______, basically rule as feudal lords. The economy of these regions are often heavily agricultural, much as they have been for much of history. That is not to say that there haven't been any positive changes. The push for mechanization of agriculture and land redistribution have been met with varying success, while education initiatives has also seen literacy rates double or triple in places.

The Frontier

The tribal peoples of the great Arabia Deserts have stuck to their nomadic ways despite the numerous different empires that laid claim to their sands, the UFUR being no exception. The economy of these lands are pitiful, agriculture is minimal, and towns are often small and isolated. However, socialist zeal combined with increasing discoveries of oil in the sands has led to the increasingly mechanized UFUR army pushing in to tame the tribes.