Kalistani Major History

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Emperor travels to Vintalli
Holds meeting with Duke Victor Ananto and Gaduri Business Interests
Ciudad de Gaduri, Marlingantos, Gaduridos
March 16, 5542


His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Fredrick II Ananto arrives in Aeropuerto Oriente in surprise visit

His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Fredrick II Ananto made a surprise visit to Gaduridos this week. The visit, which wasn't on the official Imperial Calendar, was said to have been requested by Duke Victor Ananto-Martin, who is overseeing several joint Kalistani-Gaduri operations and advising the caretaker Government in Ciudad de Gaduri. While in country, the Emperor visited various sites feature the health and well being of the Gaduri economy. After meeting with members of the caretaker government in Ciudad de Gaduri, the Emperor gave some brief comments that summarized his short tour of the nation.

"We thank the people of this great nation for their hospitality in welcoming us and continuing to work closely with our Uncle, the Duke of Suldanor, Victor Ananto-Martin. It is the vision of the people and their leaders in this nation to take the opportunity to accept our assistance for this long time. As many here know, our family has adopted the appelation 'Gaduri' in recognition of the modern line's founder's ancestors who arrived in Kalistan from Gaduridos nearly three hundred years ago. As such, and because of our eternal ties of nationality stretching back into the prehistoric era, we are perpetually bound as a single people, and though our histories may have diverged over the centuries, nonetheless we have made a strong effort in Kalistan to restore our Gaduri cultural roots where it exists, and to celebrate it and elevate it to the status of equal in our nation. In fact, in Kalistan, there is no difference between Vrassan, Vintalli and Anantonese cultures--together, the alloy is called Kalistan.

As such, it has been our explicit policy, as it was our late mother's policy, to restore the traditional and historical bonds between our nation, and to contribute where we can economically, politically, and militarily to the continued health and wellbeing of this State. The people of Gaduridos have welcomed the determined efforts of the Duke of Suldanor to secure investment for Gaduridos. The Gaduri Security forces have welcomed and adopted his advice aimed at keeping Gaduridos safe. And the members of the caretaker government have remained in regular consultation with the Duke, as the official representative of the Crown, to keep the nation stable and free of rebellion.

There is now evidence that the Gaduri people are preparing to come out of this long period of caretaker and decentralized governance. We welcome developments to stand the Central Government and the Gaduri economy back up. And we will say that nothing will vindicate the Duke's efforts more than a strong, secure and prosperous Gaduridos. If and when Gaduridos transitions, Kalistan will remain your friend. We shall continue to do all we can to help the rest of the world see Gaduridos as the great Nation that we already know it is. We are committed, not only from fraternal feeling, but out of obligation of our Position as the holder of Crown of Vintalli, the ancient name for Gaduridos. A strong, allied Gaduridos is good for Kalistan. And we will do all we can to ensure that we maintain a healthy and correct relationship with Gaduridos."

The speech was warmly greeted by several Gaduri institutional investors, as well as more than a few Gaduri nationalists who also celebrated the news that Duke Victor Ananto-Martin has secured setup costs to begin building a massive steel mill in Playa del Oriente from KALNAFERCO. The steel mill which will be majority owned by Gaduri investors, is meant to replace a portion of the steel imports that Gaduridos currently makes from Dolgava with domestic production. The Kalsitani interest is meant to act as an insurance policy to ensure the success of the plant and expansion to scale to allow Gaduridos, within ten years, to begin producing steel to meet national demand. "Self sufficiency is important for Gaduridos," said Duke Victor in February. "When Gaduridos is dependent on other nations for essential strategic materials like steel, it is at the mercy of international markets. Making the finished products locally will allow Gaduridos to begin to set its own terms in the international market, rather than being at the mercy of other nations."

The Emperor stayed at Duke Victor's Ciudad de Gaduri's villa for the four days that he was in country. During his time there, the Emperor was hosted at a major private banquet and took a sightseeing tour around the island of Marlingantos.

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Trade Minister Schmidt calls for a Trade Expo in Kaliburg
Empire to review its trade relations
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
April 19, 5542


Trade Minister Christopher Schmidt aims at a more nationalist economy

Kalistan appears to be heading in a more nationalistic trade orientation in light of increasing consolidation elsewhere in the world. "Recent moves by various of the larger political configurations to increase their access to markets and resources have given Kalistan a push to focus more on development at home," said His Imperial Majesty's Trade Minister Christopher Schmidt. "We can no longer trust that trade will not come with political strings, and these strings are not ones that Kalistan is willing to accept. His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor has proposed a trade exposition in Kalistan, to be set for July 5544 to determine which nations will still be willing to continue to trade with Kalistan on terms that are favorable for our national interests."

The Trade Exposition is considered open to all those who wish to attend. "Kalistan will welcome all nations who wish to trade in Kalistan," said the Trade Minister. "Any nations attending will be given a pavilion of their own and should bring samples of materials they would like to Market in Kalistan. Kalistan will also have a pavilion where we will post those items that we are interested and able to export. We hope that nations will tour various pavilions and make trade deals and etc., but we also wish to use the trade exposition to begin branching out our trade networks beyond what we currently maintain, for the aim of diversifying our trade partnerships."

The Trade Minister was optimistic about participation in the Trade Exposition: "We will of course invite all members of the the Non Aligned Movement, as well as ODEN. We would hope that lots of nations would choose to attend. It seems like an excellent opportunity to show the world what items a country has to trade to the world." And what if nobody attends? "That tells us a lot that we also need to know about where Kalistan stands in the world. If nobody shows up, we assume of course that nations no longer intend to trade with Kalistan, and we will go from there."

Kalistan has recently been re-evaluating its international relationships since before the Emperor was crowned. Particularly concerning to His Imperial Majesty is the growth of larger political organizations. "Kalistan has always stood opposed to the Luthorian Commonwealth, which has now stretched out to include a nation which has no historical ties to Luthori," said Minister Schmidt. "While Kalistan and Luthori built a new relationship at the beginning of the reign of Empress Nicolette II, and Luthori itself rejected the application to join the commonwealth on human rights grounds, other new alignments, many of which feel like powergrabs more than anything reasonable, have brought the topic of international alignments back to the forefront of His Imperial Majesty's foreign policy. This trade exposition is the first step to re-evaluating our relationships internationally-- If we wish to figure out who wish to work with, it makes sense to figure out who wishes to work with us."

The Trade Minister states that the Trade Exposition will happen over the month of July in 5544. To claim a pavilion, the Trade Ministry has built an online registry, where countries should post who will represent their nation, what companies' and products will be represented, and whether they intend to visit the Kalistani Pavilion and/or are interested in negotiating a bi-lateral trade agreement. Following the Exposition, Kalistan will be evaluating its current trade agreements. The Online registry is found at http://forum.particracy.net/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=9705.

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Admiral Kristin Davis named Naval Chief of Staff
"Kalistan should build an Aircraft Carrier," said new Navy Chief
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
July 17, 5542


Rear Admiral Kristin Davis, RNK, gives thoughts on Anantonese Security

"Perhaps it's time that Kalistan builds itself an aircraft carrier," Rear Admiral Kristin Davis, recently appointed Naval Chief of Staff said in an interview last week. "That seems to be the fashionable thing for countries to do these days. Since they are so easy to maintain and are apparently 'in' this season, maybe we should get one or two of them ourselves." The comments came during an interview with the Rear Admiral during a panel discussion about Naval Security in the Northern and Central Anantonese Ocean. She later clarified that she was "being facetious, to demonstrate a rhetorical point."

The issue, said the admiral, is that nations across the world seem to be arming their naval forces with floating airbases. "Why? Who knows, but it seems that aircraft carriers are magically proliferating around the globe like a bad social disease. And there seems to be no rhyme or reason, nor any real security justification, to the madness. So if Baltusia and Vascania can afford to build and maintain one, Kalistan can easily afford at least 6. Do we need them? Of course not-- no more than anyone in the world needs them."

With regard to whether Kalistan will actually pursue the acquisition of an aircraft carrier, the Rear Admiral was a bit more down to earth. "Of course not," Admiral Davis answered. "We aren't insane. The naval doctrine of Kalistan does not require aircraft carriers first and foremost. They are incredibly inefficient, supremely expensive, and draw everyone's attention to everything you are doing. They become liabilities in prolonged warfare, because they make easy targets." Kalistan will, according to the Naval Chief of Staff, stick to its current doctrine. "The Straits and their immediate ocean sectors remain our primary theater of operations," said the Admiral. "In these regions, our aircraft can safely remain on land, free of torpedoes fired by nuclear submarines which many nations also magically have, that apparently, if propaganda is to be believed, move at 14 knots underwater completely undetected. Except by Kalistani subs of course, who know ever square millimeter of the Straits, because our submarines operate under those waves 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Nothing passes the Straits without our knowing about it, as a matter of national security, and if anything has passed through, its because we have allowed it to do so. We will stick to our own front yard, and let others pursue wasteful, vulnerable weapons at their leisure. For status."

The Kalistani Navy is currently in internal discussions about whether to reform into a four fleet system, due to an expanded mission in the Central Anantonese Ocean and increased patrols in the Northern Anantonese. The discussions are part of a recently revealed unofficial plan which includes thinking of the Central Anantonese Ocean between Kalistan and Gaduridos as a more unified security zone. When asked about the plan, the Rear Admiral was candid: "The Central Anantonese Ocean is an area of concern for us, of course, but any unified security arrangements for the region would naturally require buy in from as many as five countries, so we are nowhere near where we need to be for anything solid to begin to precipitate. It is more of a general direction that we would like to go toward than anything fully formulated at this point. There are a LOT of variables at play that could change what that looks like." What is clear however is that Kalistan is inching toward a larger regional role than it has accepted in the past.

"Who knows," said Admiral Davis. "An Aircraft Carrier might be something we decide we need after all. Just like every other country in Terra." After a while, it became difficult to know what comments about aircraft carriers to take seriously and which to chalk up to satire of other nations.

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Emperor Welcomes Luthori back to Kalistan
Agreements to advise on maglev tech in place
Sulari, Duchy of Suldanor
September 8, 5542


Royal Party travels on original Stretch of RailSul between Sulari and Dana

His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Fredrick II Ananto welcomed the Emperor and Empress to Kalistan in an official state visit. The visit was primarily a social event for the royals, aimed at renewing the relationship established by Empress Nicolette II Ananto. In the course of the visit, the royals. Most of the stay in Ananto was at Wilson House in Kaliburg, but after several days, the party flew to Sulari to take a ride on the Maglev. The party travelled the 85 mile distance in less than 15 minutes.

One of the main reasons for the trip was for the Luthorians to secure technical assistance and investment as they begin to update their infrastructure. "Kalistan has one of Terra's pre-eminent high speed national passenger rail systems," said His Imperial Majesty's Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Red Collins. "We are proud to show it off, and Luthori appears that they would like to adopt our model, so we're happy to share it." During the Royal visits, Kalistani Ministers were in talks with their Luthorian counterparts, who secured a multi billion dollar investment and advisement deal to help Luthori improve their rail network using MagLev technology. "We've been able to give them workable estimates," said Collins, "and are happy to give them technical assistance to help them make their rail system the best in Artania!"

Kalistan and Luthori also discussed security matters. "The Defense Ministers are just talking at the moment," said Minister Collins. "To my knowledge, nothing solid has come of the discussions. Luthori seems to be looking for a security Partner in Kalistan, but nothing that interests Kalistan so far has really been put on the table yet." Kalistan said they were most interested in surface to surface missiles and ASW technology to combat international submarines around Kalistan. "As the years go by, people are beginning to lean more heavily on the tactics that Kalistan has long used in defense," said Collins. "The Defense Minister is looking to see if Luthori has better technology to help our crews hunt down and destroy foreign submarines operating in the Anantonese Ocean and ensure Kalistani domination under the seas."

The official visit in the books, Luthori's visit marks the first visit by a foreign head of state to Kalistan since the coronation of His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor. "Speaking as a member of His Impeial Majesty's Government," said Minister Collins, "a visit to Kalistan often smooths the road for diplomacy. It makes it far easier for us to do business with them." The preliminary work on Luthori's Rail infrastructure is expected to begin before Fall, with startup funds guaranteed by the Bank of Suldanor in Sulari.

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Team of IBSI Analysts head to Kazulia to discuss security
Intel Ship program is "Very interesting" to Kalistan, says director
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
January 15, 5543


Forward team of IBSI analysts depart from Sulari to Kazulia to hold intel discussions

A forward team of IBSI representatives visited their counterparts in Skalm, Kazulia this week following the confirmation that the northern Kingdom is working on an intelligence ship. "Kalistan finds that program very interesting, and we believe that we can contribute to its development," said IBSI spokeswoman Janet Howard. "Part of our expanded missions is to develop assets that allow us to not only have access to information in the world around Kalistan, but also to, to some degree control that information flow, both passively and actively, and I think the program Kazulia is currently working on would also further us on that journey."

The advance team, consisting of representatives of the Signals Intelligence, Clandestine Services, and Military Intelligence, along with R&D reps from KMC and KMD flew to Kazulia to hold initial talks with the director and counterparts in the Kazulian Intelligence Service under Lt.Gen Julian Lötvall. This meeting hints at a deeper cooperation between the two nations that is helped along by the personal relationships between the two northern Monarchies and a shared vision over hemispheric security. "Both Kalistan and Kazulia participate in the non-Aligned Movement," said Howard. "As such, they may not have exactly consonant policies relating to security of the world, but their two worldviews run parallel in many places. This sort of cooperation aims at not only enhancing the security and intelligence capabilities of both countries, but also of the Non-Aligned Movement as a whole, by giving countries who are considering simply jumping on the bandwagon of the great powers a reason to think twice and consider instead a course of independence."

Ms. Howard stated that the IBSI was interested in exploring not simple cooperation on the development of these important intelligence assets, but their deployment in a much larger intel network than Kazulia itself had in mind. "We currently are continuing our cooperation with Lodamun and by establishing cooperation with Kazulia on this related project, Kalistan's eyes and ears can extend as far west as the Mad Dog Ocean and as far south as Gaduridos. Combining this with the planned deployments of the Kazulian instruments and Kalistan can contribute to a much larger information network that will allow us to keep close tabs on nations that previously insisted they were trackless." IBSI is also looking into an old Dolgava-Lodamese program of passive sonar buoys in the Northern Anantonese Ocean to use in tandem with an inteligence ship program. "We note that submerged passive sonar buoys present a significant opportunity to collect data on the passage of ships through the area, and it is something we would like to explore to further enhance our intelligence gathering and sharing assets."

Talks will continue, and as the program develops, IBSI stated that they intend to be part of it every step of the way.

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A Day in the life of an Agent
IBSI invites The Republic to "Spy School"
Reynoldia, Duchy of Suldanor
October 20, 5543


The supposed famed "One Time Pad", declassified for Publication

The Kalistani Republic was invited to the "training facility of the Imperial Bureau of Security Information" for a tour, and we were given a look inside the supposed "Top Secret Spy School" that trains agents who subsequently tour the world in search of information aimed at giving Kalistan the edge in informational warfare. Our guide, who was known to us as Alex (a code name to be sure) was commanded by superiors to give us candid answers to our questions and to take us on a "full tour" of the facility. All of what follows is accurate in historic fact, but none of it is real. We were not aware of the true nature of our "tour" until after it was over. Below is a faithful accounting of the conversation between our reporter, Melinda Kellis, and the member of the IBSI's Department of Public Information.

M(elinda) K(ellis, of The Republic): Alex, this building is fairly unassuming. This is the training facility for IBSI?

A(lex) Yes, this simple office building here in Reynoldia. You see, there is not even an armed guard at the door. The "most secret" rooms in the entire Empire are right here in this innocent looking office building. You see? We have nothing to hide here. This is a public building. Anyone can come in.

MK: Goodness. I had no idea. Well then, let's go in.

Alex: Absolutely. First, here there is a reception area. This is where guests must register. We have already cleared you into the building, so you will simply let our receptionist know your name and she will buzz you and I into the building.

MK: Very well, Melinda Kellis, Kalistani Republic.

(Receptionist buzzes us into a room as Alex leads me through a heavy security door.)

MK: This seems like a very easy process. How in the world do you prevent foreign agents from coming here and seeing how you train your agents?

A: Well, firstly, there is no real reason that foreign agents would come here. Nothing we are doing at the School here is anything that intelligence agents across the world don't already know. Secondly, I assure you: As a member of the Department of Public Information, it is my job to show you, your readers, and that includes members of foreign governments, everything you will see here, so that we can put our foreign counterparts and domestic audiences at ease and assure them that the IBSI is a benign, friendly, and perfectly transparent organization. Our work is simply to help His Imperial Majesty better understand the world, so that we may find new ways to cooperate with our friends in, say Baltusia.

MK: Ok. Well, let's continue the tour.

A: Ok, we are arriving at the Second floor. Here is where men and women are practicing signals intelligence. Do you hear those beeps, clicks and whirs?

MK: Yes, there are so many different signals. There must be ninety radios here. How does each operator tell which one is saying what to which?

A: They are all very highly trained. What you are hearing here is none other than top secret, super max encrypted direct voice communication between foreign high command and their military units all across the globe. Take this operator, let's call him Maxwell. Maxwell, what are you listening to here?

(Maxwell concentrates closely on his radio. There is a strange sine wave sound punctuated by four clicks in rapid succession and then three beeps.)

M: I can tell you, Madam, that this here is a General speaking directly to a tank column operating in Northern Keris. He is giving orders for his column to take a specific mountain pass. It... yes.... it appears that this is just a training exercise. And... well... this part is classified, Madam.

A: Yes, Maxwell. Let's keep that part secure. Carry On.

M: Yessir.

A: As you can see, they are all highly trained in understanding top secret super cryptography, just by listening.

MK: How can they make all that out from those clicks and beeps?

A: It is a skill, Madam, and they are all highly trained. Let's move on.

MK: Amazing. What is next?

A: Next we have our own Encoding class. Here these cadets are all learning to memorize the famed One Time Pad Code. I have a copy for you of the One Time Pad key. This particular document has been declassified, but the One Time Pad itself is a secret code that these men and women must commit to memory.

MK: How does the One Time Pad work?

A: Well, they use this key. They receive a secret message, often in a way few would even suspect, be it a pigeon, or say, one of our agents slips the code into a pizza box that is being delivered, or maybe as a string of letters in a book or over the radio. But it is impossible to break, because the key they have memorized, is unique to all Kalistani agents and if others do not have that key, the message will be nonsense.

MK: But is the code breakable?

A: Absolutely not.

MK: So the key is memorized.

A: Yes.

MK: Well, won't agents be able to more or less take the series of letters and work out patterns that they will then easily be able to crack the key? Computers can do this fairly easily. I think there are actually logic problems where you can take numbers and if you notice patterns, you can use the numbers to decode the full message. I did one on the train ride here actually.

A: Nope, the One time pad is so famous because it is literally unbreakable. Once the agent memorizes the key, they can use it over and over and over again without fear of the message every being decoded.

MK: Does every agent have their own key?

A: No, this is why it is called the "ONE" time pad. There is one key for all agents. Its how they communicate secretly.

MK: Are you sure it is not one time?

A: We really need to continue. You may print the key in your paper, and if your readers can figure it out, they are welcome to apply to the IBSI.

MK: Fine, let's continue.

A: We have arrived at the third floor. Firearms training. Here our agents learn the basics of firearms, weapons of specifically self defense.

MK: Theses are awfully loud?

A: Yes, they are being fired without silencers. In here silencers are not necessary.

MK: Do your agents use, say, pins that fire poisonous darts or cufflinks that have secret cameras in them?

A: No, Madam, I think you read too many books. Spies don't do things like that . No, we issue all of our agents a standard issue .45 caliber pistol. Purely for self defense of course. We also teach Karate if we have to engage in unarmed combat. Karate is the most lethal and esoteric form of martial art ever invented, and all Kalistani Agents are at least a 93rd degree black belt in Karate.

MK: That is quite impressive.

A: Well, our foreign agents are the best, Madam. Let's move on.

MK: Indeed.

A: This last office here is the Office of the Director of this training facility. It would appear that he is out today. I understand you had an interview prepared, but unfortunately, the Director of Training could not be here today. So, we will continue on to the cafeteria, and I will leave you to your lunch. You may meet other agents there, but your tour of the school is complete.

MK: I thank you for your candor and willingness to show me around.

A: You are most welcome.

We don't think we have to tell you, our readers, that the tour of the spy school, such as it was, was a complete fraud. It is a matter of public record that the training facility of the IBSI is in Gendaris, and not Reynoldia. We also know that the One Time Pad is indeed, theoretically, at least, unbreakable, but not the way Alex described it. It is unbreakable specifically because the key is used only one time, and is based on a randomly generated series of letters. Since the key is only used once, there is no pattern to ascertain, making the coded message without the key indeed a series of nonsense letters. The way Alex described it would be broken the second time a message was sent. As for the "signals intelligence" training, the fraud is indeed unbelievably facetious.

The Kalistani Republic however, has represented the tour we received of this facility faithfully. When we contacted the IBSI's Department of Public Information, they confirmed the location of the actual training facility (already a matter of public record), and also confirmed that the facility we went to is a training facility simply for members of the DPI. What they can possibly be training there was beyond us but none of it seemed to make any sense, or have any connection to the real world. But then it occurred to the Staff that the training was about how the IBSI represents itself to the Public. Naturally, they will not show methods or curriculum to the Public. Nor would they provide a copy of the supposedly single code key to The Republic to print. The job of the DPI is to be the front face of the IBSI, the image that the public sees.

In this sense then, perhaps, the IBSI did indeed pull back the curtain on their clandestine operations. The goal was to show us something so ridiculous that we didn't believe it. And in doing so, they decreased our opinion, and possibly our suspicion or apprehension over the IBSI. But, that almost seems like what they would want to do if they were trying to represent the Bureau as "benign, friendly and perfectly transparent." And the Public Contact with the DPI simply answered that he has no reason to misrepresent anything that his Department or the Bureau does.

After 15 more minutes of attempting to clarify, we were thanked for our time.

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1st Kaliburg Trade Exposition declared a "Success"
Participants from 8 Nations featured goods and services
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
January 17, 5544

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Kalistan Pavillion at the 5543 Kaliburg Trade exposition

The 1st Kaliburg Trade Exposition closed this week, and has been declared a success. During the course of a year, eight countries including Kalistan held exhibitions at the Kaliburg Exposition Center in Port Davon. There was a wide mix of nations in attendance, including some large trading nations, but particularly telling were the nations which skipped the exposition all together.

"We were quite pleased with the turn out," said Exposition Logistics Director Mike Radley. "We had nations from all over the world displaying their trade goods at the exposition. While nations from Dovani, Artania, Keris and Majatra were here, we were quite disappointed to see that nobody from Seleya bothered to show up. Kalistan was the sole Seleyan nation at the Exposition. It sort of makes liars out of those nations who claim to support Seleyan unity and continental free trade and commerce. But this just means that Kalistan will be redirecting its attention to other parts of the world, and scaling back on its support for the so called 'pan-Seleyan' cause."

The Director was correct: one of the major goals of the Trade Exposition, besides inviting the world to Kaliburg, was to provide an opportunity to build new trade relationships with other countries. "We are particularly interested in beginning to import electronics and agricultural products from the represented Nations," said Radley. "Additionally, Lourenne showed up with a full catalog of luxury and consumer items that we believe will be of great interest to Kalistani buyers, and we additionally look forward to inking investment deals in several developing and growing economies. Kalistan seems to be experiencing a very strong outward facing period, despite earlier hints at exploring inward growth, and The Exposition showed us a lot of opportunities."

When asked about the future of Kalistan-Seleya relations, the Director responded, "Well, I can't really speak for the policy of the Government or His Imperial Majesty. But judging by the interest of Seleyan nations at this perfect opportunity to increase trade volume with Kalistan, I'd say there isn't much interest from Seleyan Nations in trading with Kalistan. It is what it is. Judging by the enthusiasm for trade at the exposition, I'd say we are likely to see increased trade and investment flows to places like Artania and Dovani, and less interest in trade with Seleyan Nations not named Gaduridos and Lodamun. There are plenty of opportunities elsewhere."

With the official closing of the Exposition, the Direct said that the organizers want to leave the Trade Exposition Item registry open for the time being. "There is already some movement in the Government to send trade reps abroad to begin working on terms of trade with the presenting nations. It is our hope that Kalistan should see new consumer goods on our shelves within a year, and Kalistani Investors shall have the opportunity to invest in the emerging sectors we saw here in Kaliburg in a somewhat shorter period of time."

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Kalistani Regular Air Force shows marked improvement
Decade's Long professionalization program Pays off
Eshar, Duchy of Odufaray
August 1, 5544


Two F/A 39 Lasaitasuna Fighters, designed in Kundrati, but built in Kalistan, fly close formation in July RFGCRB

The Professionalization Program begun in 5516 under Empress Nicolette II is nearing completion in Kalistan, and the General Staff reports that the Regular Air Force has made dramatic improvement over the nearly 30 years. "We have seen astounding improvement in not only combat skills acquisition and adaptation but also in garrison skills," said Regular Air Force Chief of Staff General Isaac Adams. "It is safe to say that the Regular Air Force is now one of the most technically adept, technologically advanced, and highly disciplined branches of the Regular Force."

The evaluation by General Adams was underscored by the results of last month's Regular Forces General Combat Readiness Battery (RFGCRB), a biennial evaluation of the combat readiness skills of the Kalistani Regular Forces. During the month long battery, each force is heavily inspected in a number of areas including things like uniforms, close order drill, military knowledge and small arms skills. They are also tested in a series of wargames which involve a week of field operations in the most stressful and strenuous conditions, meant to simulate a war situation. "We aim to create unwinnable scenarios," said General Adams, "and then see how our men and women react to those situations, how they adapt and overcome, and how they work as a unit."

In the Battery, the Air Force scored its first "Silver Star" Rating for receiving the highest overall combat rating of all regular forces. "Usually the award goes to the Navy, but recently, the Army and the Air Force have been battling it out for second place, and this year, the air force finally defeated everyone." In light of their success in achieving their Silver Star Rating, the National Assembly has authorized the Commander of the Air Force, General Marcia Rodriguez, to award particularly high scoring units the the Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon.

"One particularly difficult scenario we placed our units into was also a test of the new Lasitasuna fighters from Kundrati," said General Adams. "This game pitted the 12th Maritime Air Wing in Yoshimi against elements of the 3rd Regular Fleet in the Strait. We wanted to see how the Air Units would respond to overwhelming force arrayed against a small unit that was almost out of fuel and ammunition in a life or death situation. On the naval side, they wanted to see how the navy would react to a small but determined force bent on their utter destruction. Not only did the air force completely decimate the naval elements by crippling their ships (in simulation, of course), but 'sunk' a destroyer and depth charged three submarines. The level of improvisation and unorthodox tactics and raw flying skill in the combat scenario was truly impressive, and I am quite proud of our airmen and women." For the record, the navy "shot down" only six fighters in the wing of 74. "It wasn't Navy's best day."

This is not to say that the other branches did not do well. The Naval Battery also consisted of new parts of their mission, including submarine detection and interception, surface to surface missile artillery, and shore bombardment, among other things, and the Regular Army's battery included sections on irregular tactics usually reserved for the Militia. The Marine Units of the Militia, which are not typically scored by the Battery, given their attachment to the Militia, nonetheless were also outstanding, and excelled primarily in boarding of both surface and submerged ships, naval demolitions, and clandestine ship and air launched insertion tactics.

The success of the Air Force in this year's Battery is vindication of Empress Nicolette's vision of the force as a professional force capable of enhancing the defense capabilities of the Empire. His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Fredrick II Ananto, was reportedly on hand to observe the drills during the entire month, and has also expressed his confidence in and support for continued and varied training opportunities. "Kalistan is ready for whatever anyone throws at it," said General Adams. "It is our everlasting hope that as long as we continue to do what we do, nobody ever dares test the Kalistani Regular Forces."

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Trade Fair Aftermath: Foreign Products and Investment flood into Kalistan
Kalistan makes serious investment in Luthori, Mina while Vice Ministers travel Abroad
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
March 7, 5545


Kalistan to invest significantly in Mina Coffee operations

In the wake of the Kaliburg Trade fair, which wound up just a little over a year ago, there has been a tremendous increase in trade and investment activity in and around the Empire. While Kalistan has seen our markets virtually flooded with new products ranging from automobiles from Trigunia to jewelry and luxury items from Narikaton to fashion, to fashion, perfumes and consumer items from Lourenne, the rest of the world has seen a dramatic increase in investment going out of Kalistan. In the 15 months since the closing of the trade fair, Kalistan has made several multi-million Ruble investments overseas, including Luthori's MagLev infrastructure upgrade, Mina's coffee industry, and Gaduridos' nascent steel manufacturing sector. In all, the total value of trade has approached ₭14.56 billion in last fiscal year alone, with the majority of that in exports including FDI.

"We have had to take steps to allow increased purchases of the materials we are bringing into Kalistan," said His Imperial Majesty's Minister of Finance, Vincent Rodrigues. "While the outflows of FDI are counted against the inflationary rate, I've ordered the Central Bank to increase the money supply and bump up basic wages a point and a half in Kalistan simply to prevent the economy from straying too far into deflationary territory. We will realize a fairly noticeable deflationary period in the next two quarters due to the increase of goods and services, but a lot of that pressure will be relieved through increased purchase of consumer goods, and adjustment to the new normal of additional goods in the stores." In total, the economy will continue to grow despite what we expect to be about 4-5 months of single digit deflation, but the surge in supply will eventually level itself out as people adjust to the new normal. The Emperor has authorized interventions for domestic companies in the private sector whose margin is falling below their cost to ride out the adjustment."

Kalistani investors and technicians are also active in Luthori working with Luthorians on the expansion of their rail infrastructure. "We are bringing the Maglev techniques and best practices to Luthori," said RailSul Director Margaret Waters-Bennots. "RailSul's construction methods and infrastructure are world renowned, and so when Luthori decided that it wanted to improve its rail infrastructure to include high speed trains, naturally they looked to a country who uses the system for their national passenger rail lines. We are also putting some money into the program, because we want it to succeed. We'd like to look at Luthori and be proud of the assistance we give them." The investment and technical assistance is the result of the recent State visit by the Luthorian Emperor and Empress.

Finally, Kalistan is making heavy investments in the Mina Coffee Industry. "Kalistani's love coffee," said Minister of Trade Schmidt. "This is an excellent opportunity to put millions into a growing industry, and not only see it flourish and serve as an engine for economic growth abroad, but also provide Kalistan with a high quality product that consumers will definitely buy, due to both its quality and its novelty. Foreign products tend to enjoy great brand loyalty in Kalistan, simply because people switch when something new comes in and then they tend to stick with that product for a very long time. Investing in Mina's coffee is a no brainer."

In other news, Kalistan has given the go ahead for several Trigunian automakers to open showrooms and satellite offices in Kalistan. "Kalistan will be not only an excellent market for Trigunian EVs," said Minister Schmidt, "but it is our hope that Kalistani sales encourage both Trigunia and other nations to make a more concrete commitment to electrical and non-petroleum operated automobiles." Trigunian automakers are really the first to speak up and request permission to open satellite corporate headquarters in Kalistan, but it is expected that other nations will soon follow suit, as MoCo continues to branch out to other parts of the world. "Diversity in the market is not a bad thing," said Schmidt. "MoCo is heavily subsidized in Kalistan, and our infrastructure is more or less built around the MoCo EVs, so I think people will be interested in the foreign automobiles as perhaps a second car, or a car for a new driver. But there are a number of niches that Trigunian cars can fill pretty easily, so I think it will be a winning investment all around to have them in Kalistan."

Kalistan is awash in foreign products at the moment, and Consumer sentiment is at a recent high as more money makes its way into the pockets of working people and families to buy those items. "As long as our economy stays in that -.5% to .5% range of growth, we keep to our ZPG strategy," said Minister Rodrigues. "We couldn't have flung the doors open to imports like this had we not had our investment and export options in place. But it is nice when it balances out like this." Kalistani vice Ministers are currently en route to a half dozen additional nations to discuss further opportunities growing from the Trade Exposition.

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Mark Ananto-Orleans to take over House Ananto from Duke Victor Ananto-Martin
Influential Duke of Suldanor to retire in a year.
Sulari, Duchy of Suldanor
April 9, 5546


Mark Ananto-Orleans and an unidentified blonde companion play around of golf with Duke Victor Ananto-Martin

Mark Ananto-Orleans, son of Duke Victor Ananto-Martin and cousin to his Imperial Majesty the Emperor Fredrick II Ananto is set to take over the business operations of House Ananto, including Ananto's multinational business interests, when His Highness the Duke of Suldanor retires. The retirement is set for December of this year. The Duke, now 68 years was the second child of Empress Nicolette I Ananto The Great and Prince Consort Victor Martin-Ananto. Duke Victor briefly served as Prince Regent following the death of his sister, Empress Nicolette II Ananto, and passed the title to Prince Bjorn as he returned to Gaduridos. He and his wife, the Lourennais-born Duchess Carlota Ananto-Orleans expect to retire to their villa in Gaduridos and tour the world.

"I've always preferred the business world to the world of public administration," said Duke Victor, whose international commercial exploits have long contributed toward economic development around the world, and more closely tying the two Anantonese nations together. "Nicolette gave me every opportunity to do the thing I was most skilled at, and together we were able to turn that skill to the service of the Empire while benefitting the Gaduri people as well."

Duke Victor, having overseen nearly ₭500 Billion in private (mostly) Kalistani investment over the last four decades, now prepares to hand over the business operations of the House Ananto to his son Mark Ananto-Orleans. It is expected that the younger Ananto will be granted the Grand Duchy of Kalistan following the retirement of Grand Duchess Marta Greene Kalistan, who is herself in her mid 70s. This will technically tie the business operations of House Ananto more firmly to the Crown, as the future Grand Duke is also expected to be named Crown Prince and will hold that title until the Emperor marries and produces an heir. It will also make Mark Ananto-Orleans technically his father's boss.

"Mark Ananto shares the traits of his family," said Royal Watcher Xavier Delgado in Ciudad de Gadur. "He is charismatic, of course, but he is also very educated--He studied philosophy and marketing at university in Sulari. The Anantos fit their country well, you may say they are the embodiment of their regime. Conservative, almost reactionary to a fault, but very social minded, which comes from a haughty but not overbearing form of noblesse oblige that favors the poor and feels that the wealthy will manage well enough without much state intervention. Mark Ananto speaks Egelian as a first language and Vrassan with an accent, but is also slavishly loyal to his political masters in Kaliburg, to the point of even returning to Kalistan to do five years of national service.

Mark Ananto-Orleans, 36, will return to Kalistan for conferences with the Emperor this summer, and is widely expected to take a wife before assuming his position at the managing director of the operations of House Ananto. "Speculation in the capital is already growing as to who this will be," said Delgado. "There are several possibilities, but Ananto has so far kept his love life very private and well outside the range of cameras, and Anantos are known for selecting dark horses as well..." Who ever the future Grand Duke marries will quickly become one of the wealthiest and most influential women in Seleya, second only to whoever ends up Princess Consort of Kalistan. "Yeah, nobody even knows if the Emperor is ever planning to marry at this point," said Delgado. "The under is 20:1 at 10 years."