Characters / TNO Middle East

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Levant

Syrian National State

^{Flag of Syria (Independent)}

^{Flag of Syria (al-Assad)}

Official Name: Syrian National State, Syrian Republic (Independent)

Ruling Party: QMS

Ideology: Military Junta^note Despotism

Turkey's Syrian puppet state, ruling over the Syrian territories outside of the "National Pact".

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• Les Collaborateurs: Turkey delegates rule over southern and eastern Syria to a collaborationist military junta. While the Damascus junta is not entirely loyal to Turkey, they have few options.
• Emergency Authority: The death of Tayfur Sökmen in the Turkish allies teaser led to the formation of the United Coordination Junta, which was created under the guise of preserving what little order remained in Syria.
• Enemy Mine: While each Syrian leader works with one another to drive Turkey out of their country, once that has been done, they will quickly turn on each other to become the sole authority of Syria.
• Gameplay and Story Integration: Lebanon was annexed into the Syrian puppet state of Turkey as an autonomous region. In the Turkish allies teaser, this is represented as a demilitarized zone.
• Hope Spot: After Tayfur Sökmen's first government fell, Hashim al-Atassi was elected head of the People's Party and led a government for three years in the Turkish allies teaser, which people considered to be an improvement and a step towards a free and democratic Syria. However, a legislative crisis led to this government falling and Tayfur Sökmen taking power again.
• A House Divided: As explained in the Turkish allies teaser, Syria's first puppet government lasted half a decade under Tayfur Sökmen and included various groups and minorities, ostensibly to showcase the country's diversity. However, this government struggled to work together and eventually led to a schism.
• Let No Crisis Go to Waste: In the Turkish allies teaser, Hinnawi and Hariri use a fight at a military base as proof of the damaging effects that politicization has on the Syrian army and the need for keeping politics away from the military.
• Meet the New Boss: After the French Mandate of Syria was invaded by Turkey during the Second World War, a nominally independent republic was established under the rule of Tayfur Sökmen, which remains a vassal state seen in the Turkish allies teasers. Additionally, the regions around Idlib, Aleppo and other parts of northern Syria were directly annexed by Turkey.
• Occupiers Out of Our Country: In the midst of growing instability in the Middle East, Syrian nationalists will launch a revolution to forcefully win their independence.
• Plot-Triggering Death: During Tayfur Sökmen's second government, he aided Turkey during their war in Iraq, which burned much of the goodwill he had with the populace. As mentioned in the Turkish allies teaser, this resulted in his assassination. Both the SSNP and Ba'ath were accused for the assassination and the united interim government that formed afterwards was blocked by the four generals who still rule Syria by 1962.
• Puppet State: The SNS is by all accounts less an ally and more a rump state occupied and economically dominated by Turkey.
• La Résistance: There's considerable opposition to both Turkish rule and the SNS among the Syrian population.
• Threatening Mediator: In a teased event for Turkey's vassals, a fist fight breaks out between two soldiers in a Syrian military base over whether to support the SSNP and Syrian nationalism or the Ba'ath and Pan-Arabism. The conflict escalates with others joining in the violence and it takes the camp's captain to pull out a pistol to intimidate the others into submission.
• Unwitting Instigator of Doom: Syrian nationalists can revolt against their Turkish occupiers and establish their own independent republic, which unintentionally worsens the effects of the Oil Crisis by cutting off a major oil supplier to the global community.
• We ARE Struggling Together: The Syrian National State is led by a council composed of Husni al Za'im, Adib Shishakli, Fawzi Selu, and Sami al Hinnawi, all of who have different dreams and aspirations that contradict each other and could spell doom for the country.

Michel Aflaq

Role: Head of State (Turkish decolonization or Ba'athist takeover)

Party: Hizb al-Ba'th al-Arabi al-Ishtiraki^note Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party

Ideology: Ba'athism^note Socialism

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• Reasonable Authority Figure: In comparison to every other Syrian leader, Aflaq is a moderate voice in an increasingly radical Syrian political scene, advocating for a nationalist while still egalitarian vision for Syria.

Hafez al-Assad

Role: Head of State (Neo-Ba'athist takeover)

Party: Hizb al-Ba'th al-Arabi al-Ishtiraki^note Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party

Ideology: Neo-Ba'athism^note Despotism

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• Not in This for Your Revolution: Despite being part of the Ba'athist movement, al-Assad has little interest in many of their core tenets, such as pan-Arab nationalism.

Ziad al-Hariri

Role: Head of State (Junta takeover)

Party: Hizb al-Ba'th al-Arabi al-Ishtiraki^note Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party

Ideology: Military Junta^note Despotism

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• Not in This for Your Revolution: Like Aflaq, al-Hariri is a member of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party. Unlike Aflaq, he's more so a relatively apolitical military leader than a Ba'athist.

Adib al-Shishakli

Role: Military Commander, Head of State (Turkish decolonization or paternalist takeover)

Party: HSQA

Ideology: Social Nationalism^note Paternalism

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• War Hawk: If Adib al Shiskali takes over Syria after Turkey decolonises, it becomes clear that he will make sure Syria’s future is both militaristic and nationalist.

Salah Jadid

Role: Head of State (Turkish decolonization or communist takeover)

Party: Hizb al-Ba'th al-Arabi al-Ishtiraki^note Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party

Ideology: Revolutionary Ba'athism^note Communism

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• Chummy Commies: Jadid advocates a synthesis of Marxism and Ba’athism that sees an ultimate goal of socialism as proceeding from Arab unity rather than the other way around, rejecting mainstream Ba'athist class collaboration.

Governatorato del Levante

Official Name: Governatorato del Levante^Tr.Governorate of the Levant

Ruling Party: Governo Militare del Levante^note Military Government of the Levant

Ideology: Colonial Government^note Despotism

The Italian colonial governorate in the Levant, encompassing Palestine, Lebanon, the Sinai Peninsula, and the Emirate of Transjordan, the last of which is effectively an Italian vassal state.

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• The Alliance: Success in the Jerusalem Conference will lead to the creation of a Levantine Union, under which Israel and the Arab Levantine nations can exist in harmony while coordinating on foreign and economic policy.
• Allohistorical Allusion: In spite of the Nazi victory, Arab-Israeli conflicts are still happening in the Levant. As Italy took in a lot of Jews during the German-Italian split, Zionism still exists in TNO, and the Italian colonial government struggles to manage the Jews and the Arabs in the Levant, who are at each other's throats, just as in real life.
• Balkanize Me: If Italy defeats Turkey and the Jerusalem Conference ends in success, the Italian Levant can be partitioned between independent Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, and the neutral city of Jerusalem, with the Sinai Peninsula handed over to Egypt.
• Blatant Lies: Despite Mussolini's grandstanding in his final years, life in the Levant for non-Italians is anything but peaceful, with the colonial authorities viciously asserting their authority over Israelis and Palestinians alike.
• Contempt Crossfire: The Italian administration is reviled by both Zionists and Arab nationalists, which is one of the few things they could agree on.
• Day of the Jackboot: According to the developers, Italian colonial policy in the area has been incredibly brutal, with Tel Aviv being a prison city, while both Arab and Jewish villages are razed with horrifying frequency. Ethnic borders are somewhat clearer in TNO because of this.
• Earn Your Happy Ending: It is possible for both the Israelis and Palestinians to peacefully get their own states in the Levant and unify under a Levantine Union, but both will have to successfully negotiate with the Italians, which will certainly involve plenty of tough compromises and dealing with the radicals of their respective nations.
• Elite Army: The armed forces of the Italian Levant are composed of the finest veterans of the Italian sphere, who are accustomed to fighting in the Middle East thanks to the constant rebellions launched by both Zionists and Arab nationalists.
• Mêlée à Trois: The political battlefield of Italian Palestine is divided between the Jews, Arabs, and Italians. There are numerous paramilitaries of various ideologies, both Jewish and Arab. The most prominent moderate groups are the Jewish Haganah and Palestinian Fatah, both of whom are more willing to negotiate with the Italians; they don't get along with each other well, however. There are also more radical groups, like the Revisionist Zionist Irgun and the predominantly leftist Arab Nationalist Movement. They see negotiation with the Italians as pointless, and mostly try to gain independence through violence and terrorism. Needless to say, they aren't very fond of each other, either.
• Peace Conference: The Jerusalem Conference, a major event in the storyline of Italian Levant, is a conference between Italians and the moderate Arab and Jewish groups, aiming to decolonize and possibly partition the Levant. There are many possible outcomes to the Jerusalem Conference, including different partition plans (with good or bad borders), and the possibility of failing to reach a solution. It might also not happen at all should Italian Levant fall into chaos.
• Your Terrorists Are Our Freedom Fighters: Jewish and Arab paramilitaries are seen by their respective peoples as liberators against the Italian occupiers, while the Italians and the people opposing them see them as terrorists.

Carlo Alberto dalla Chiesa

Role: Military Commander, Head of State

Party: Governo Militare del Levante^note Military Government of the Levant

Ideology: Colonial Government^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Governor Carlo Alberto Dalla Chiesa is a man whose meteoric career left many stunned, and many more envious. A decorated veteran of WWII, Dalla Chiesa asked to be transferred from the Regio Esercito to the Carabinieri to follow the footsteps of his father, himself a general of the Carabinieri. After the end of the war, he was assigned to the newly acquired Italian territories in the Levant, where he demonstrated his skill and valor in the investigations and repression of the various terrorist and paramilitary groups that plagued the region. As arrest followed arrest, he quickly rose through the ranks of the Carabinieri, and was noticed by Galeazzo Ciano.

When it was time to assign a new governor to the Levant, the new Duce, instead of choosing another old fascist, picked the young general as successor. The choice was controversial, as it was well known that Dalla Chiesa has little sympathy for fascism - but in his yet short tenure, the Carabiniere general managed to bring a semblance of peace to the Levant, even if he had to use unorthodox methods. Rome expected results, and that is what Dalla Chiesa gave them - extremist insurgent groups were targeted by repression, while a semblance of a truce was brokered among those who were willing to negotiate. However, the fate of the Levant still hangs in the balance.

To Dalla Chiesa, it is clear Italian rule over the region isn't going to last, and some type of agreement between Italy and the many peoples of the Levant has to be found unless the area is to be thrown again into chaos. The Carabiniere governor has managed to return something resembling peace to the Levant - how long that will last, is still to be seen.

The Governor-General of the Italian Levant.

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• Cincinnatus: Dalla Chiesa doesn't think that the Italian Levant will last, and wants to hand over power to the locals eventually.
• Genghis Gambit: During the Italo-Turkish War, dalla Chiesa tries to instill the idea that Jews and Arabs may effectively work together to defend their homeland, in order to bridge their mutual distrust and hatred.
• Necessarily Evil: As harsh as his policies are, he considers them necessary to maintain order. Or at the very least, buy enough time to organize a more amicable compromise with moderate groups.
• Richard Nixon, the Used Car Salesman: Dalla Chiesa in OTL was an Italian general who was famous for working on anti-banditry and anti-terrorism in Italy. In TNO, he was sent to the Levant to pacify it, and his successes there led to his promotion to Governor-General of the Levant.
• Zero-Approval Gambit: As ruthless as Chiesa is, he believes his efforts would also foster enough common ground for the Israelis and Palestinians to put aside their differences to bring about peace by themselves.

Levant Solution

Israel

Official Name: State of Israel

Ruling Party: Mifleget Poalei Eretz Yisrael^note Worker's Party of the Land of Israel (Successful Jerusalem Conference), Ha-'Irgun Ha-Tzva'i Ha-Leumi b-Eretz Yisra'el^note The National Military Organization in the Land of Israel (Failed Jerusalem Conference)

Ideology: Labor Zionism^note Progressivism (Successful Jerusalem Conference), Provisional Government^note Paternalism (Failed Jerusalem Conference)

Despite all the suffering of the Jewish people over the millennia, not least of all the horrors of the Shoah, they may still finally achieve the dream of a homeland. What that homeland will look like, however, is an open question.

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• Invading Refugees: From the Palestinian perspective, the Zionists who flee from Nazi Germany are seen as invaders who have begun stealing their native land. How Palestine deals with them depends on who ends up controlling the Levant.

David Ben-Gurion

Role: Head of State (Successful Jerusalem Conference)

Party: Mifleget Poalei Eretz Yisrael^note Worker's Party of the Land of Israel

Ideology: Labor Zionism^note Progressivism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}If you had to describe Jewish history in one word it would be sacrifice. Since the diaspora it was only with countless sacrifices that Jewish identity was preserved, the fathers protecting their children so that they may live on. And when the Jewish people finally got their own nation, it was to their father that they turned to find leadership and safety. And although David Ben Gurion wants nothing more than to rest, he will once more put the needs of Israel before his own.
Born as David Grün in Russian occupied Poland in 1886, David Ben Gurion was an ardent Labor Zionist since his youth teaching Hebrew in Warsaw. His commitment to the cause was so strong that in 1906 he was one of the first Jews to emigrate to Palestine with the express purpose of creating a Jewish homeland in the Holy Land, facing mistrust from the locals and violence from the Ottoman army. With the outbreak of World War One, Ben Gurion was deported to Egypt where he enrolled under the Jewish Legion of the British Army that liberated Palestine from Ottoman occupation and placed it under a British mandate. But the struggle was not over yet, as Ben Gurion realized soon the need for the Jewish people to defend themselves, so he founded the Haganah, the main paramilitary group of the Yishuv. Its pro-British leanings, however, didn't help much when the Italians invaded Palestine and established their own colony, marking the beginning of a new struggle for the Yishuv, one where Ben Gurion decided to not openly resist this new occupation, instead he would pressure Italy into allowing statehood for Jews. This decision was deeply unpopular among the Yishuv and within the Haganah itself, but Ben Gurion, now at the lead of the organization, stuck to his resolution and managed to achieve the impossible: founding a state for the Yishuv, granted from those who persecuted them just years ago.
Now Ben Gurion stands tall, finally reaching the goal he has fought for so long - Zion has been found. But he does not want to keep this power for himself, instead he sees the future of the nation in the hands of the young, those who have given their blood and tears to form the nation - and perhaps they shall be the ones who truly find peace at home. He does not know if he will live to see that day; he only knows how tired - and old - he is. How much longer until an old man can rest?

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• Category Traitor: Even though it's intended to eventually create a new Israeli state for them, many Jews regard his collaboration with Italy as treasonous to their cause.
• Les Collaborateurs: Realizing that it would be impossible to dislodge Italian rule over the Levant, Gurion has settled with negotiating with them to allow statehood for the Jews.
• Reluctant Ruler: Already on his last few years of life, Ben-Gurion just wants to retire in peace, but he knows that Israel needs more time until it can stabilize, so he'll put the needs of his nation above his own and continue to facilitate its creation. Once Israel has been created, Ben-Gurion will seek out his long overdue retirement and leave control over Israel to younger leaders.

Golda Meir

Role: Head of State (Ben-Gurion succession)

Party: Mifleget Poalei Eretz Yisrael^note Worker's Party of the Land of Israel

Ideology: Labor Zionism^note Progressivism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}One cannot try to erase the past merely because it does not fit the present. That is something every Jew knows very well. The memories of the horrors and massacres they had to suffer century after century is ingrained into the souls of every child of Israel. It is thus not surprising, now that the Jews have a nation of their own, that they turn over to nationalism and militarism. And among the players inside the Knesseth, nobody has capitalized on these feelings better than Golda Meir, the "Iron Lady" of Israel.
Born in Kiev during the late days of the Russian Empire, Golda Meir's earliest memories were of her father boarding up the front door in response to rumours of an imminent pogrom, and the death of five of her siblings due to poverty. The hardships felt during childhood shaped her personality and when she emigrated with her family to America, young Meir displayed strong leadership skills and a keen interest in politics. At the age of 14, she moved to her sister's house in Denver and it was there Meir came into contact for the first time with Zionist thought. This was the beginning of her career in politics and as an advocate for Zionism, emigrating with her husband in Israel in 1921 and being elected secretary of the largest Jewish female union in the country. From there, she continued to rise the ranks of Israeli politics and to campaign for the Zionist cause in America. Even with the collapse of British rule in the Levant and the establishment of the Italian military administration, Meir still remained untouchable to authorities, as she took the lead of the "Bitchonist" faction, or the old guard, of Haganah, in opposition to the "Bitzoist" faction, the young guard composed of new settlers who seek collaboration with the Arabs.
Now, as the Italian rule of the Levant is no more and the Jews have regained their homeland after 2000 years, Meir finds herself leading this new nation, where Jewish people will not have to collaborate with the Arab or the imperialist. Meir strongly believes that Israel must first of all fight for itself, and become the dominant force in the Levant. Peace for the Yishuv will only come when the surrounding nations respect their strength of arms. David Ben Gurion will eventually go, and perhaps after the old father fades, Mother Hawk will rise.

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• Iron Lady: Meir, the Iron Lady of Israel, is the leader of the nationalists and militarists in the Knesset, and believes that Israel must fight for itself and become the dominant force of the Levant, without having to collaborate with Arabs and imperialists.

Shimon Peres

Role: Head of State (Ben-Gurion succession)

Party: Mifleget Poalei Eretz Yisrael^note Worker's Party of the Land of Israel

Ideology: Labor Zionism^note Progressivism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}If the whole person of Shimon Peres could be summed up in a single expression, it would be "Bitzo'ist," Hebrew for "One who does his work."
Born in the Polish republic in 1923, (due to a local scholar's blessing no less, he claims) Peres's family made aliyah in 1934, and the boy was plunged headfirst into Mandatory Palestine's world of Levantine Jewish politics. Already a hard working man ever since his Youth, Peres dedicated his life to politics and to Zionism, eventually emerging as a preeminent member of David Ben Gurion's youth circles, and inheriting many of the ideas of Israel's founding father. In the kibbutzes and the party meeting halls, he did his work.
A Labour Zionist at heart, and one known for his willingness to cooperate and sympathise with the native Arabs, it is no surprise that he was one of the few prominent voices that passionately argued for the creation of the Levantine Union, in his own words the only way to build lasting peace in a Levant cannibalised by decades of occupation - and the only way forward towards his dream of Jewish and Arab co-existence. Within the party itself, these views have made him remarkably unpopular despite his well-known dedication and industriousness, making it unlikely for him to secure serious power were it not for the intercession of his own mentor in a quest to secure a young and promising leader in his image, divorced from Mapai's scars and grudges, fuelled by the passion of youth, and devoted only to the development of the Zionist nation. Peres, for his part, has proven himself to be all of these and more, and for all his detractors had to say, Shimon Peres was a man of labour. In the councils of Mapai and the explosive rallies of Tel Aviv, he did his work.
With this support, Peres has quickly overtaken his sole competitor in the hawkish Golda Meir, and walks the minefields of Levantine politics confidently, always gazing towards the stars - and towards a future peace. When it comes to that, much work remains to be done.

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• Category Traitor: His advocation for a Levantine Union between Jews and Arabs has made him disliked within the Zionist movement for trying to compromise with the latter.
• Reasonable Authority Figure: Even though he's a Zionist, he is sympathetic to the native Arab population and seeks the creation of a Levantine Union where Jews and Arabs can coexist harmoniously.

Menachem Begin

Role: Head of State (Failed Jerusalem Conference)

Party: Ha-'Irgun Ha-Tzva'i Ha-Leumi b-Eretz Yisra'el^note The National Military Organization in the Land of Israel, Likud^note The Consolidation

Ideology: Provisional Government^note Paternalism, Revisionist Zionism^note Liberalism (Herut), Revisionist Zionism^note Conservatism (Likud)

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Twenty years ago, the thought of a Jewish Homeland was for many an impossible dream, a childish fantasy quashed by the Nazi Jackboot - and yet Zion has been found, spanning the banks of the Mediterranean past the banks of the River Jordan, independent from British, German, or Italian Rule, all thanks to one man. Menachem Begin was born in Brest in the summer of 1913, and since childhood has fought for a home. Joining the Betar Revisionist Zionist group, Begin was for a brief time imprisoned by the NKVD before being sent to Palestine in 1942. A pupil of Ze'ev Jabotinsky, the father of Revisionist Zionism, it was only natural that Begin would join his paramilitary group, the Irgun. Fiercely against cooperation with the British, Begin, with the aid of the extreme Revisionist group Lehi launched an armed rebellion, which, combined with Italian and German invasion, forced the occupiers out of Palestine.
Begin's dreams of a free Israel were shattered as the Italians instituted their military governorate, and Irgun resolved itself to resist the fascists as they had resisted the British.
For years, they have fought and bled for freedom, even assassinating the original governor-general, Rodolfo Graziani, among many other colonial occupiers - and now the time has finally come. His critics decry him as an authoritarian, an anti-democratic brute, but only Begin alone knows his plans for the Levant. A new day for Eretz Yisrael has dawned, and Menachem Begin will be the one to lead the Jewish People to their future.

The leader of the Revisionist Zionist paramilitary Irgun, who advocate for a territorially maximalist Israel and reject all negotiations with the Italians and the Arabs.

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• Rebel Leader: Begin leads the Irgun, a Jewish nationalist paramilitary that actively fights back against Italian (and earlier, British) rule in the Levant in order to create a Jewish nation. They managed to assassinate the previous Italian Governor-General Rodolfo Graziani.
• Won the War, Lost the Peace: If the Irgun overthrows the Italian occupation, they will find themselves creating a minority government on large swathes of majority-Arab lands, who bitterly resist their rule.
• Your Terrorists Are Our Freedom Fighters: The Irgun, who seeks to kick the Italians out of the Levant and build a Jewish nation, is seen as a terrorist organisation by the Italian colonial administration.

Emirate of Transjordan

^{Flag of the United Arab Kingdom of Palestine and Jordan}

^{Israeli Puppet}

^{Flag of the Socialist Republic of Jordan}

Official Name: Emirate of Transjordan, Kingdom of Jordan (Levant partitioned), United Arab Kingdom of Palestine and Jordan (Hashemite Levant), Socialist Republic of Jordan (Hawatmeh)

Ruling Party: Abdullah's Court

Ideology: Absolute Monarchy^note Despotism

The Hashemites of Jordan, formerly allies of the British, pledged their allegiance to Italy after the British withdrawal. Still a part of the Governorate of the Levant, Jordan may yet emerge as an independent nation.

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• Category Traitor: If Jordan signs a peace treaty with a Begin-led Israel, the Emirate will be seen as traitors to most across the Arab world, with Yasser Arafat declaring that "the Hashemites must be put down."
• Les Collaborateurs: The Hashemites served as helpful allies to Italy in stabilizing the Levant, and were given a bit of autonomy as a reward. This could be upgraded to full-on independence if the Levant is partitioned between Israel, Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan.
• Disinherited Child: Talal bin Abdullah, the Emir's eldest son, cannot inherit his father's throne, which will pass on to either his younger brother Nayef or son Hussein.
• The Federation: If the United Arab Kingdom is declared and the Hashemites gain control over the Levant, the Kingdom will approach Jewish and Palestinian leaders with the goal of reforming the country into a federation between Jordan, Palestine, and an autonomous Jewish canton.
• Offered the Crown: The Hashemites might be given all of Levant by the Italians after they defeat Turkey, if they view an Arab king as the solution to stabilise the region in the long term.

Abdullah I bin Al-Hussein

Role: Head of State (Levant partitioned/Hashemite Levant)

Party: Abdullah's Court

Ideology: Absolute Monarchy^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}The name of Abdullah Ibn Hussein is one that sparks controversy, for some he may be a freedom-fighter who tries his best to counter the demands of the occupier and ensure the interests of his people, while for others he is no more than the lapdog of imperialists who betrayed his people and the legacy of his father. However, the truth is far more complicated than either the vilification or glorification of the man that has come to define 3 decades of Hashemite rule over the lands of Jordan.

Born in 1882 to the future Sharif of Mecca, Abdullah would see his father revolt against the Ottoman caliph and their imperialist hold over Arabia and would lead his armies into the conflict, reigniting the once dim sparks of Arab nationalism. The Arabs revolted and the dream of a unified Arab state was over the horizon, yet it never came. The Arabs were partitioned into monarchies, each ruled by a son of the Sharif. The daring Abdullah was offered the throne of Iraq, but he refused it, instead opting to serve as Emir of the newly christened Protectorate of Transjordan. Abdullah would dutifully serve his country and the needs of his people into the dawn of the Second World War.

As the Axis powers advanced into the Middle East and occupied the former British holdings, Abdullah would pledge his Allegiance to Italy in hopes of maintaining his rule under the Italian eagle. Though the Italians would remain distrustful of him due to his British collaboration and his struggle to balance the Italian interests with that of his own people, they would nevertheless, recognize his efficiency and administrative skills especially in comparison to the neighbouring governors in Palestine.

However, not all would be good for the Emir, as the Palestinian Jihad of Al Husayni would see an assassination attempt, an attempt that would reverberate throughout the Hashemite dynasty, cracking it into halves. As the King of the Arabs looms towards his death, the tension between these two factions of liberals and collaborationists sears.

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• Category Traitor: While viewed as a freedom fighter by some, others despise Abdullah as a traitor to his country for collaborating with the Italians.
• The Conqueror: Abdullah has expansionist aspirations, wanting to expand Hashemite rule over the Levant, Syria, and Iraq.
• Plot-Triggering Death: Abdullah doesn't have many years left before he passes, in which his death will escalate the conflict between the collaborators and the liberals in his family.
• The Quisling: When the Italians swept into the Middle East during World War II, Abdullah made a deal with them so that he would keep his leadership position in exchange for submitting Jordan to the Italian sphere.
• Wild Card: His only concrete allegiance is to his homeland and he doesn't care who he has to work with to maintain his prosperous rule over it, whether they be the British or the Italians. His current master, Italy, distrusts Abdullah and only tolerate him because he's an effective ruler.

Nayef bin Abdullah

Role: Head of State (Abdullah succession)

Party: Nayef's Court

Ideology: Absolute Monarchy^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Is the preservation of one's dynasty worth the betrayal of their ideals and the very virtues and principles that were once cherished by them? While the intellectuals with their romantic concepts of nationalism and democracy might say no, Nayef bin Abdallah of Jordan sees things in a different light.

Born in 1914 at the dawn of the First World War, Nayef was still young when his grandfather organized a revolt against the Turks, he did not experience that time of intensified nationalism in the region, instead, he only saw travesty as he matured. First the fall of the Hashemite stronghold of Hejaz, then the removal of the Hashemite King in Syria due to his overly dignified insistence on nationalism that brought him nothing but ruin, then worst of all the butchering of the Hashemites in Iraq like animals to the slaughterhouse. Nayef could not help but wonder if he and his father were next? The Prince's head would remain spinning with confusion and hesitancy at his own question.

However, he would not remain undecided for long. The outbreak of Al-Husayni's Jihad would prove to be a turning point for him. His father was marked by Al-Husayni and targeted for assassination, but by some miracle from God himself, the bullet would miss. However, its consequences would echo in the prince's mind and the House of Hashim as a whole. To Nayef everything became obvious. Only by suppressing these so-called independence movements and aligning themselves further with the Italians could the King's head avoid the guillotine.

Though he has always been his father's favoured son, Nayef still has the opposition of his brother and the court liberals. Nevertheless, the King remains committed to preventing the fall of the last bastion of Hashemite rule.

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• Freudian Excuse: He's so eager to collaborate with the Italians because he's witnessed many other Middle Eastern nationalists get killed for espousing independence from their colonial overlords, so he believes that collaboration with them is the best way for his family to avoid a similar fate.
• I Did What I Had to Do: He's chosen to collaborate with the Italians because he believes that it's the only way to ensure that Hashemite rule does not get deposed by them.
• The Quisling: Unlike Hussein, Nayef is more than willing to submit himself before the Italians and continue collaborating with them.

Hussein bin Talal

Role: Head of State (Abdullah succession)

Party: Hussein’s Court

Ideology: Semi-Constitutional Monarchy^note Paternalism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Born in 1935, Hussein ibn Talal was always the favourite of many, even his grandfather did not believe either of his sons could be King, instead seeing potential in his grandson Hussein and treating him with extra care and privilege. The young and charismatic prince made the masses cheer, while his father was mistrusted for his supposed lunacy, and his uncle jeered on as a traitor and bootlicker.

Hussein has lived his entire life under an occupied Jordan, one exploited and colonized, first by the British and then by the Italians, and like his namesake before him, Hussein has forever despised this situation. He saw the misery of his people, whether Jordanian or Palestinian, and how they were crushed under the weight of the Italian Empire. The people dreamt of liberty, of freedom, of independence, yet their dreams were stolen from them.

Angry with the exploitation of his people and wishing to see them set free, Hussein grew renowned for his idea of a "Liberal Experiment" and anti-Italian rhetoric, effectively becoming the face of Jordanian reformism and his father's deputy in the liberal faction of the royal court. Furthermore, his desire and wishes to see his people grow happier, see their dreams fulfilled, and their lives improved, has seen him grow increasingly popular with the common toiler.

The beloved King marches with his people onto new horizons with plans to continue the democratization efforts that his father started and advance the people's will. Hussein has even approached moderate pro-Italian and leftist movements in hopes of reaching common ground with them for the common benefit of his people and country. However, many remain doubtful of the monarch's sincerity and commitment to democratization, despite his own nationalist and liberal credentials; suspicions that may just be proven correct as he begins to clash with the more republican elements of Jordanian politics.

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• Ambiguously Evil: Some suspect that that his commitment to democracy isn't completely sincere and that his true colors will unveil when he clashes with the republican factions in Jordan. Whether these accusations are true has yet to be seen.
• Internal Reformist: Hussein advocates for the restoration of independence to Jordan and the implementation of a functioning democracy in the country.
• Reasonable Authority Figure: Even if their beliefs don't exactly align, Hussein is willing to approach moderate pro-Italian collaborators and leftist movements to unite them behind the dream of a free, democratic Jordan.

Nayef Hawatmeh

Role: Head of State (Failed Jerusalem Conference)

Party: Harakiyyin^note Arab Nationalist Movement

Ideology: Arab Communism^note Communism

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• Occupiers Out of Our Country: After the Jerusalem Conference fails, Hawatmeh seizes the chance to forcefully liberate Jordan from Italian colonialism.

Palestine

^{Flag of the Democratic Republic of Palestine}

Official Name: Republic of Palestine (Arafat), Democratic Republic of Palestine (Habash), Arab People's Republic (Habash, Arabs unified)

Ruling Party: Fatah - Socialist Wing (Successful Jerusalem Conference), Harakat al-Qawmiyyin al-Arab^note Arab Nationalist Movement (Failed Jerusalem Conference)

Ideology: Democratic Socialism^note Progressivism (Successful Jerusalem Conference), Arab Communism^note Communism (Failed Jerusalem Conference)

The Palestinian Arabs are restless under Italian rule, with various militant groups struggling against both the occupation force and their Jewish nationalist rivals alike. An independent Palestine may emerge, though what that Palestine will be, and whether it is created through violence or diplomacy, is uncertain.

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• Occupiers Out of Our Country: Most of the Palestinians are hostile to their Italian overlords and have since formed various militant groups to expel them from their homeland.

Yasser Arafat

Role: Head of State (Successful Jerusalem Conference)

Party: Fatah - Socialist Wing

Ideology: Democratic Socialism^note Progressivism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}In just a few decades, a man rose from obscurity to fame, becoming the face of the new Palestine - his name is Yasser Arafat. Born in Egypt to a humble Palestinian family, the young Arafat would soon become a protagonist of Arab political life in the Italian Levant and far beyond. Rising to the forefront of the struggle for independence and freedom in Palestine, Arafat was among the founders of Fatah - an organization born out of an uneasy compromise between the militant Palestinian youth campaigning for democracy, and the Italian authorities, ever wary of those who dare defy them.

As Fatah grew rapidly, it found an unlikely ally in the emir of Transjordan, Hussein. At the same time, Arafat asserted himself as the leader of the movement, soon becoming the main interlocutor for Italy in the Arab camp, as one of the few prominent leaders willing to negotiate with Italy and a useful counter to the much more radical Arab organizations that had become a thorn in the Italians' side. After the victorious war against Turkey, the complex process of decolonization ended with the breakup of the Italian Levant - and at long last, independence for Republic of Palestine, with Arafat being declared as its leader.

While this success strengthened Arafat's position and popularity among the Arabs, the threats to him and to Palestinian democracy are still many. First, the Arab radicals of both left and right, still furious at the existence of an Israeli state, openly declared Fatah to have betrayed the cause of Arab nationalism; and within Palestine, the supporters of former emir Hussein have grown to hate Fatah and its reformist policies. Arafat might have won his battle, but he is far from winning his war - and now more than ever, the hopes for peace in the Levant rest on the shoulders of a single man.

The leader of Fatah, a fedayeen group struggling for an independent democratic Palestine. He is one of the few Arab leaders who is willing to negotiate with the Italians.

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• Being Good Sucks: If the two-state solution is reached, Arafat's willingness to negotiate with Italy and Israel and his reformist policies create many enemies for his democratic government, including the reactionary supporters of Hussein ibn Talal and the radicals who view Arafat as a traitor to the cause of Arab nationalism by tolerating Israel's existence.
• Realpolitik: Arafat is willing to negotiate with the Italians and the Jews to create an independent democratic Palestine, even though he gets accused of selling out to the fascists and the Zionists as a result.
• Reasonable Authority Figure: Unlike his more radical compatriots, Arafat is a reasonable reformist who works with Italy to reach a mutually beneficial compromise between Israel and Palestine.

George Habash

Role: Head of State (Failed Jerusalem Conference)

Party: Harakat al-Qawmiyyin al-Arab^note Arab Nationalist Movement

Ideology: Arab Communism^note Communism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}George Habash's rise to prominence was one fraught with hardship, pain, tears, and blood. Born into a Palestinian Christian family, as a young man Habash immediately joined the Arab fedayeen against the Italian occupation of the Levant following World War Two. A convinced Marxist, Habash founded the Arab Nationalist Movement, a wide front of socialists, communists and left-wing Arab nationalists fighting against Italian and Zionist occupation of the Levant - waging a violent guerrilla war against the fascist invaders while declaring their commitment to turn the Levantine lands into an independent, non-denominational, socialist republic.

Despite internal divisions among the Levantine Arabs, largely thanks to Arafat attempting to sell his land to fascists and Zionists from under his own feet and Hussein's unrepentant reaction and greed - Habash and the ANM have finally achieved their revolutionary goals. The peoples of the Levant rose up against imperialism and bigotry, a crowning victory after years of popular struggle, and the country now marches ahead to build its new future, with Comrade Secretary-General Habash charting the course.

However, Habash's struggle is far from over. Zionist militias such as Irgun, and even large sections of the Haganah, have taken up a bitter resistance against the new People's Republic, and among the Arab people, reactionary and fundamentalist sentiments still creep like a snake in the darkness, spreading their counter-revolutionary poison among the people. Now, Habash must defend what he conquered - defend the people, defend the idea, defend the Revolution. Only time will tell if the light of socialism will live on in the Levant, or if its flame will be stamped out by the rising darkness.

The leader of the Arab Nationalist Movement (Harakiyyin), a coalition of left wing nationalist groups in the Levant. The Harakiyyin refuse to negotiate with the Italians and the Zionists, and Habash himself aims to create a secular socialist republic free of fascism and imperialism.

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• The Alliance: Habash's Harakiyyin is a thin coalition of various Arab socialist organizations who have joined forces to liberate their country from Italy. Once Habash takes control over the Levant, the alliance falls apart quickly.
• Head-in-the-Sand Management: As Jews and conservative Arabs protest against his takeover of the Levant, Habash has given little response against this opposition out of fear of splitting his party. Unfortunately, this has only allowed the violence to escalate and increase the likelihood that he may have to enforce authoritarian methods to keep his power.
• Pyrrhic Victory: If Habash takes control of the Levant, his newly formed republic is unstable at best, as his allies begin fighting each other without a common foe to unite against, while the Jews begin forming their own militant groups to rebel against Habash.
• Rebel Leader: George Habash leads a left-wing Arab nationalist front that wages a guerrilla war against the Italian authorities in the Levant.
• Red Baron: Habash is also known by the honorific, or laqab, of al-Hakim, meaning "the wise one" or "the doctor."

Jerusalem

Official Name: Jerusalem

Ruling Party: Italian Law Mission

Ideology: Oligarchy^note Paternalism

Italy's corpus separatum in the holy city of Jerusalem, created following a successful Jerusalem Conference that partitioned the Governorate.

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• The Neutral Zone: If the Jerusalem Conference succeeds, Jerusalem becomes a neutral area between Israel and Palestine, garrisoned by Italian troops and administered by a council elected from all religious and ethnic communities who live in the city.

Umberto La Rocca

Role: Head of State

Party: Italian Law Mission

Ideology: Oligarchy^note Paternalism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}It's said that the destinies of people are decided in the very moment of their birth, and in the case of Umberto La Rocca, that might be true. Born in Port Said from an Italian father and a French mother, young Umberto soon became fluent in three languages, including Arabic - because of this, he was attached to Arab troops in World War Two, fighting with distinction as an officer in North Africa and the Levant against the British. After the war, La Rocca started a brilliant diplomatic career, being sent on missions all over Europe and even to the U.S., where he represented Italy and her nascent empire.

Ambassador La Rocca returned to his homeland in recent times, tasked with yet another mission. For years, the Levant has been a hotbed of conflict, but since the Jerusalem Conference ended with the partition of the Governorate, a fragile new order has been set up in the region, and Jerusalem itself is at the centre of it. Established as a corpus separatum, Jerusalem is a neutral area, garrisoned by Italian troops and administered by a council of representatives of the many religious and ethnic communities which make up the population of the world's holiest city - and at the head of the council sits La Rocca, the impartial and neutral negotiator tasked with making sure that conflicts are defused, crises are resolved, and everyone gets to go home safely at night.

Now, La Rocca knows that from him depends not only the future of Jerusalem as a safe haven for peace among the peoples, but also that of the Levant itself - for while both Palestine and Israel reluctantly accepted the establishment of the corpus separatum, the volatile nature of Levantine politics means that a threat may arise suddenly and with no warning. Only time will tell if the Holy City will be the keystone for building a lasting peace in the Levant, or the eye of a newly risen storm.

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• Reasonable Authority Figure: He's an impartial, neutral negotiator who hopes to defuse the conflict between Israel and Palestine through a partition, while he leads a neutral zone in Jerusalem.
• Reconcile the Bitter Foes: La Rocca is appointed to lead Jerusalem and ensure that Palestine and Israel remain at peace.

Lebanon

Lebanese Republic

^{Flag of the Free Lebanese State}

^{Flag of the Lebanese Socialist Republic}

^{Flag of Kataeb}

Official Name: Lebanese Republic, Free Lebanese State (Israeli puppet), Lebanese Socialist Republic, Lebanese State (Kataeb)

Ruling Party: National Liberal Party (Successful Jerusalem Conference), al-Mourabitoun^note The Sentinels (Communist takeover), Kataeb Party (Turkish victory)

Ideology: National Liberalism^note Liberalism (Successful Jerusalem Conference), Left-Wing Nationalism^note Socialism (Communist takeover), Falangism^note Fascism (Turkish victory)

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• Bilingual Bonus: As part of Israel's sphere of influence, the Free Lebanese State's flag has Arabic text that reads "Nation" and "Honor".
• Civil War: In the case of a Turkish victory in the Second Italo-Turkish War, Gemayel will secede Kataeb from Syria before quickly having to contend with a civil war against the Mourabitoun.

Camile Chamou

Role: Head of State (Levant partitioned)

Party: National Liberal Party

Ideology: National Liberalism^note Liberalism

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• Reasonable Authority Figure: Chamou is among the Arab leaders willing to negotiate with Italy for his nation's independence, which can be arranged in the Jerusalem Conference.

Rashid Karami

Role: Head of State (Socialist takeover)

Party: al-Mourabitoun^note The Sentinels

Ideology: Left-Wing Nationalism^note Socialism

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• Occupiers Out of Our Country: In accordance to his nationalist beliefs, Karami clamors for Lebanon's independence from Italy, willing to achieve this goal through force, if need be.

Pierre Gemayel

Role: Head of State (Turkish release)

Party: Kataeb Party

Ideology: Falangism^note Fascism

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• The Fundamentalist: As a Falangist, Gemayel emphasizes Christianity as the state religion, closely entwined with the state and national identity.

Mourabitoun

Official Name: Arab Republic of Lebanon

Ruling Party: al-Mourabitoun^note The Sentinels

Ideology: Left-Wing Nationalism^note Socialism

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• Bilingual Bonus: Their flag has multiple lines of Arabic text that translate to "Independent Nasserite Movement, "al-Mourabitoun", and "What is taken by force can only be recovered by force". Together, these three mottos communicate their ideology, party, and fight against the Kataeb party.
• Civil War: Shortly after Lebanon is freed from Syria, the Mourabitoun will rebel against Gemayel and the Kataeb.
• The Remnant: When Gemayel takes over the Levant after seceding from Syria, the Mourabitoun remnants will rebel shortly after to depose him.

Ibrahim Kulaylat

Role: Head of State

Party: al-Mourabitoun^note The Sentinels

Ideology: Left-Wing Nationalism^note Socialism

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• Chummy Commies: Kulaylat is a left-wing Arab nationalist fighting for liberation against the fascist regime of Gemayel.

Iraq

Iraqi Republic

^{Flag of Iraq (Arif)}

Official Name: Iraqi Republic

Ruling Party: National Democratic Party

Ideology: Social Nationalism^note Paternalism

An independent but Italy-aligned Iraqi Republic.

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• Allohistorical Allusion: There was a 14 July Revolution in Iraq in real life; the revolution in real life overthrew the pro-western Hashemite monarchy, while the revolution in-game overthrew the pro-Axis Golden Square Party.
• Bilingual Bonus: The country's name "Republic of Iraq" is inscribed in Arabic on Arif's Iraq flag.
• Butt-Monkey: Although Iraq is home to some of the richest oil fields of the Middle East, they rarely benefit from it, as most of their produced oil either ends up on the black market, lost in Iraq's quagmire of a bureaucracy, or taken by the Italians so that they can ship it themselves and acquire most of the profit.
• Civil War: Later in the game, the assassination of president Qasim collapses the country into a civil war between an Italian emergency government in Baghdad, Republicans, Islamists, Ba'athists, and Kurdistan.
• Puppet State: Downplayed. Iraq is arguably the most autonomous nation of the Italian sphere, but much of their oil is extracted by them, their army is heavily reliant on Italian advisors, and their politics are often strong-armed by Italian oversight. All of these elements indirectly make Iraq dependent on Italian support and effectively makes them a puppet of theirs.
• The Revolution Will Not Be Civilized: Iraq was originally ruled by the authoritarian pro-Axis Golden Square Party, but a revolution broke out on July 14th, 1958, toppling the GSP. However, the revolution soon collapsed into anarchy, as the rebels of all different kinds of ideologies turned on each other. It took Qasim launching a coup and creating his own government to put things back on track again.
• Revolving Door Revolution: The pro-Axis Golden Square Party, in real life and in TNO, took power by ousting the pro-British monarchy. In TNO, they were later overthrown in the 14 July Revolution, putting Qasim's authoritarian democracy in charge.
• We ARE Struggling Together: Much of Iraq is heavily divided between communists, Shiites, democrats, militarists, and Ba'athists, in which they will only brought together after Qasim's coup and they haven't initially dislodged him because they're individually too weak to do so.

Abd Al-Karim Qasim

Role: Head of State

Party: National Democratic Party

Ideology: Social Nationalism^note Paternalism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}What is the legacy of Iraq's Sole Leader? How will he be remembered?

Born in dire poverty to a Sunni Arab father and a Shia Feyli Kurd mother, Abd al-Karim Qasim was not someone expected to amount to anything. He became a teacher, then a member of the army. His intelligence and boyish charisma helped him rise through the ranks. These qualities led, in the 1950s, to Qasim being invited into the Free Officers Movement, a disorganized group of military officers determined to destroy the Italian-backed government. Almost single-handedly, Qasim seized control of the group and used it to overthrow the Hashemite monarchy. This victory alone would have been enough to make him a national hero but his subsequent triumph over the Triumvirate's invading forces, the embodiments of colonialism, in 1959 made him revered, an icon across the region.

Outwardly, little has changed since the revolution and the signing of the Italo-Iraqi Friendship Treaty that ended the invasion. Though Qasim's Iraqi nationalism runs headlong into rising pan-Arab sentiment and though his concessions to the Italians have stirred complaints, Qasim remains a towering figure. Most are willing to tolerate his idiosyncratic leadership, his purges of one-time friends, and his progressive reforms because they still believe in his conception of the revolution. They still believe in his vision of a modern Iraqi state where people of all faiths and backgrounds can unite to overcome poverty, sectarian division, and foreign exploitation.

At least for now...

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• Internal Reformist: Qasim pushes reformist policies, including land reform, social reform and education campaigns, in order to bring Iraq to the modern age.
• Military Coup: General Qasim came into power by launching a military coup which put an end to the anarchy that followed the 14 July Revolution.
• Realpolitik: Qasim is both a leader of the July 14th revolution, and a man with close ties with the Italians. He negotiated a deal with Italy to maintain Iraq's independence while allowing Italian influence, all so he can calm the country down and modernize it without the Italians straight up taking it over.
• Too Dumb to Live: Foolishly, Qasim tried nationalizing Iraq's oil industry and expected that the Italians wouldn't do anything about it. Unsurprisingly, Miceli acted against him, organizing his execution for insubordinating against Italy.

Vito Miceli

Role: Head of State (Qasim overthrown)

Party: Commissione Italiana in Iraq^note Italian Commission in Iraq

Ideology: Interim Government^note Despotism, Colonial Government^note Despotism (Iraqi Civil War victory)

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Vito Miceli, Italian consul in Baghdad, knew the Iraqis had gone too far with their so-called "revolution" when Qasim started talking about nationalizing the oil industry. The stupid bastard had probably expected him to twiddle his thumbs as the Arabs stole Italy's hard-earned oil, but no. Miceli was smarter than that. As chaos spread across the Middle East and the vultures started circling, Vito Miceli took matters into his own hands to protect Italian interests. He found a few dissatisfied members of the Iraqi army and some long-time friends in the Italian special services, then he used them to wipe the "Sole Leader" off the map. He was there when the man died, babbling incoherently about how he had been a friend to the poor and built them "thousands of little homes."

The next step was supposed to be easy. Miceli would find some new "Sole Leader," a simple-minded puppet that would know his place. Instead, anarchy followed Qasim's death and Miceli found himself stranded in Baghdad, propping up a "transitional authority" with little domestic legitimacy, transparently beholden to Italian interests.

Now, Vito Miceli must fight not only for the glory of the Italian empire but for his life as well. For as complicated as Qasim's legacy might be, few will suffer the continued survival of a man who embodies the absolute worst that colonialism and imperialism has to offer.

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• Dark Horse Victory: Many observers noted that Miceli's chances of winning are slim, which is also reflected on the map, since they own the least amount of territory. However, Miceli can emerge victorious in the war and return the country back to the Italian sphere.
• Didn't Think This Through: After murdering Qasim, Miceli expected to easily find a new "Sole Leader" to act as a Puppet King to Italy's interests and that there would be no further trouble from there. Instead, the situation for him has gone horribly wrong, as various Iraqi factions rise up against the Republic and Miceli is left stranded in Baghdad with little domestic legitimacy.
• Evil Colonialist: Miceli is an Italian consul who keeps Iraq under his country's thumb, exploiting their oil reserves for all their worth. In the words of his biography, he "embodies the absolute worst that colonialism and imperialism has to offer".

Iraqi Civil War

Islamic Republic of Iraq

Official Name: Islamic Republic of Iraq

Ruling Party: Hizb ad-Da'wa al-Islāmiyya^note Islamic Dawa Party

Ideology: Islamic Conservatism^note Conservatism

A Shia Islamist group aiming to dismantle the secular institutions and establish an Islamic Republic in Iraq.

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• Allohistorical Allusion: The flag of the Islamic Republic is almost identical to Iraq's current flag. The only difference is the top red bar is recoloured green.
• Bilingual Bonus: Their adherence to Islam is proudly shown on their flag, which inscribes "God is the greatest" in Arabic.
• The Theocracy: A rather positive example of this, as it seeks to implement democratic, Islamic principles with an emphasis on charity for the common person.

Abu al-Qasim al-Khoei

Role: Head of State

Party: Hizb ad-Da'wa al-Islāmiyya^note Islamic Dawa Party

Ideology: Islamic Conservatism^note Conservatism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) said: "When a person dies, his deeds are cut off except for three: Continuing charity, knowledge that others benefited from, and a righteous son who supplicates for him." Abu Qasim al-Khoei- scholar, jurist, and a leader of al-Hawza in Najaf- has understood this his entire life.

Born in Iran as the son of a religious scholar, al-Khoei spent his early life studying the Quran and learning from varied Shi'a leaders. This seminary education allowed him to develop a unique voice among jurists, one often sympathetic to women and non-believers. It also instilled in him a deep sense of obligation to Muslims worldwide. Between clerical duties and his studies into jurisprudence, he became a ceaseless advocate for welfare, supporting charities across Iraq. The scholar became a familiar sight wherever catastrophe appeared, using his administrative skills and religious connections to provide comfort to victims of injustice.

It was this same sense of obligation that drove al-Khoei to action during the collapse of Qasim's republic. After witnessing the growing tide of violence across Iraq and the rise of despotic, demagogic leaders, al-Khoei declared it the duty of the clergy to stand against corruption and oppression. With the quiet support of the Grand Ayatollah, al-Khoei assembled and appointed a delegation of Shi'a leaders to re-establish order across Najaf. While keeping distance between himself and the rebellion, al-Khoei serves as a powerful symbol for those who hope for a new government guided by democratic, Islamic principles.

The Grand Ayatollah of the Islamic Republic, al-Khoei has managed to gather much of the Shia population to his side due to repression under the Qasim government.

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• Allohistorical Allusion: Abu al-Qasim al-Khoei led a real opposition against Saddam Hussein due to the suppression of the Shia population under his regime.
• Reasonable Authority Figure: Abu's platform is built on ethnic and religious tolerance, believing that it is the best path to benevolently rule Iraq.

Republic of Iraq

Official Name: Republic of Iraq

Ruling Party: Hizb al-Istiqlal al-Iraqi^note Iraqi Independence Party

Ideology: Paternalistic Conservatism^note Conservatism

A faction of the civil war made up of supporters of Abd al-Rahman al-Bazzaz. Their goal is to create an independent Iraq through Arab nationalism, kicking out the Italian and other collaborationist authorities.

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• Dark Horse Victory: If the Republic wins the civil war, many observers will be surprised, as it would be the first time since Iraq had been under a truly democratic government instead of another autocracy.
• Occupiers Out of Our Country: They want to expel all foreign influence, especially Italy's, from Iraq in the pursuit of an Arab democracy.
• Sequel Hook: In the news event that celebrates their victory in the civil war, it will note that the young democracy has many challenges to face, including foreign isolation and internal matters like minority rights. Additionally, the current party is already being challenged by a newly formed one, the Nationalist Front, but whether the Republic of Iraq can overcome these problems is left ambiguous.
• Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: The Republic is led by a broad coalition of wealthy and middle-class Iraqis, whom will begin having tense disagreements with each other as soon as their mutual enemies are defeated.

Abd al-Rahman al-Bazzaz

Role: Head of State

Party: Hizb al-Istiqlal al-Iraqi^note Iraqi Independence Party

Ideology: Paternalistic Conservatism^note Conservatism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}The 1941 and 1958 revolutions were a popular uprising against decades of Arab oppression, but they were co-opted by sinister forces, writes Abd al-Rahman al-Bazzaz. It is time to put the revolution back on track.

Born in Baghdad in 1913 to a wealthy Sunni family, al-Bazzaz's early life was one of privilege and intellectual success. He completed elementary and high school at the top of his class. He graduated from Baghdad School of Law in 1934 during a time of national chaos and uncertainty. He received a law degree from King's College in London in the final years before the German invasion. Returning a committed democrat and anti-imperialist, he joined the Golden Square government's uprising against its English overlords. He became the dean of the Baghdad Law College, using his position to advocate for a democratic Arab nationalism interwoven with Islamic ideals.

But the next few years proved to be a series of disappointments. The Golden Square government revealed itself, not as a vessel for pan-Arab liberation, but Italian imperialism. His decision to speak against it led to his arrest and torture. He enjoyed a brief period of freedom after the Revolution of 1958, only to again be arrested by Qasim for allegedly conspiring against the government. His attempts to join with pan-Arab forces on the eve of the civil war were thwarted when he was accused of being an "enemy of Arab socialism."

Scorned by all other factions, al-Bazzaz finds himself representing Iraq's constitutionalists, a faction composed primarily of the country's wealthy and middle class. Determined to maintain civilian control and stay true to his democratic, pan-Arab ideals, al-Bazzaz will need to use all his diplomatic, intellectual, and political skills to keep his movement- and himself- alive.

An Iraqi nationalist, al-Bazzaz to create an independent Iraq without the influence of Italy or other Western powers.

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• Defector from Decadence: He used to be a member of the Golden Square Movement who fought for their independence from their British, but al-Bazzaz believed that the movement has become a former shell of itself and brought another age of foreign oppression, this time by the Italians. He publicly spoke against this numerous times, only for him to be arrested and/or tortured each time. However, it's only cemented al-Bazzaz's motivation to create a democratic, pan-Arabic government in Iraq, something that he may achieve if he wins the Iraqi Civil War.
• Reasonable Authority Figure: Despite his pan-Arabic beliefs, al-Bazzaz has sworn to still keep protections for Iraq's minorities.

Ba'athist Iraq

Official Name: Arab Republic of Iraq, Republic of Iraq (Post-civil war)

Ruling Party: Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party

Ideology: Ba’athism^note Socialism

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• Occupiers Out of Our Country: Viewing the Italians as no different than their former British occupiers, the Iraqi Ba'athists will rebel against them in the Iraqi Civil War to free their country from all foreign imperialism.

Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr

Role: Head of State

Party: Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party

Ideology: Ba’athism^note Socialism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}What was 1958 but an incomplete revolution? True, the Arab people of the Iraq region cast off the most obvious symbols of Western imperialism, but they remained artificially divided from their brethren. They were prisoners in states imposed by foreigners, crushed by economic systems beholden to foreign interests. No longer, says Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr. It is time for the Arab people to shatter this legacy of oppression.

Born in Tikrit while it remained under the yoke of Turkish oppression, al-Bakr's life was defined by struggle. He overcame a hard childhood and spent six years as a primary school teacher before joining the Iraqi Army. When the Golden Square launched its revolution against the British in 1941, al-Bakr, his family, and many of his fellow officers joined it, only to find themselves marginalized in its aftermath. Embittered at having been duped, at having traded British overlords for Italians, al-Bakr found himself drawn toward two camps, the Free Officers Movement- an underground officer group dedicated to overthrowing the monarchy- and a newer faction- the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party.

Even after Qasim became Sole Leader and began his crackdown on the Baath, al-Bakr held firm in his conviction that the party was destined to be the revolutionary vanguards, the vehicle through which imperialism will be defeated. Standing amid the ruins of Qasim's republic, he is determined to use his power as chairman of the party's military bureau to complete 1958's unfinished revolution and see Arab unity finally achieved.

By any means necessary.

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• The Determinator: al-Bakr has fought for Iraqi independence since the days of British occupation and will resort to any means necessary to overthrow the Italian-aligned republic and unite his country with the other Ba'athist countries.

Arabia

Saudi Arabia

Official Name: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Ruling Party: al-'Usra al-Su'ūd^note House of Saud - Traditionalist Wing

Ideology: Absolute Monarchy^note Despotism

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• Bilingual Bonus: The Shahada is written on Saudi Arabia's flag, reflecting that Islamic is the dominant religion of the country.
• Boring, but Practical: Much of their influence can be attributed to their oil supplies, which seems mundane, but is in high demand around the world. Saudi Arabia has exploited this to garner much profit for itself. So much, that they don't know what do with it.
• Les Collaborateurs: When Axis forces invaded the Middle East, the Saudis welcomed them and have continued collaboration with Italy, in which the Italian-owned ENI agreed with the Saudi-owned ARCO to ship their oil and trade agents, in exchange for giving them a share of the profit. However, their ties have become strained over the years.
• Crapsaccharine World: Saudi Arabia is a rapidly modernizing nation with valuable oil reserves and growing metropolises, but their supposed prosperity is rarely enjoyed by the Saudi Arabians themselves. More often than not, the average Saudi Arabian is a poor worker whose labor has been exploited by foreign companies, notably the ENI, and can barely afford basic human necessities like water and housing. By the 1960's, tensions are simmering and the workers will inevitably launch mass strikes in protest to their oppression.
• Pyrrhic Victory: If the Yemen Arab Republic is victorious in the Yemeni Civil War and ends up conquered by Saudi Arabia, their fighters will retreat to the hills and wage a guerrilla war against the Saudi occupation, in which observers comment that it will take time for the Saudis to fully pacify the region.
• La Résistance: With tensions rising against Germany, Saudi Arabia's minority groups have been launching guerrilla strikes in hopes of earning self-autonomy, which are supported by the Reich to undermine their rival.
• Sibling Rivalry: Sa'ud, Faisal, and Talal are brothers and the three most influential members of their ruling family. However, the trio have different visions for Saudi Arabia's future and have become rivals fighting for control of the country.
• Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: Members of the royal court can only trust their full brothers. Any other alliance is treated with suspicion, as everyone is looking to advance their own agenda.

Sa'ud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

Role: Head of State

Party: al-'Usra al-Su'ūd^note House of Saud - Traditionalist Wing

Ideology: Absolute Monarchy^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Saudi Arabia is a harsh land, but Saud bin Abdulaziz is a surprisingly gentle ruler. To an extent, of course, but most rulers are usually defined by nuance. This is not an age of moderation, however, and the ground beneath the King's feet is always shifting. For the faith of the Saudis is ancient, but the world surrounding them is distressingly new.

The King grew up in a barren land dominated by his father's conquests; he was advised by his father, when he became an heir, to serve God and love his subjects. In the chaos of the 1940s and 1950s he did his level best to continue with the reforms he had put into place in education and infrastructure, bringing Saudi Arabia into the modern world. Hasty deals conducted with the land-hungry Italian Empire managed to keep Arabia independent, or at least that is what the royal publications claim. Why the Empire would want a country with so little to its name is something no Saudi has ever questioned.

Things were stable, until the seismographic sensors picked up liquid gold beneath the sands of the East. Saudi Arabia's oil industry exploded to prominence, and with the money came the fame - and attention. Now the King must balance the voracious hunger of the world powers for the oil it holds, and manage an increasingly restive and conservative populace. And its neighbours in Egypt and Iraq are suspiciously silent, as internal instability threatens to spill over into Arabia itself.

The Saudi court and king watch, and plot. And toy with the motors of the world, waiting to make their move.

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• Abdicate the Throne: Depending on how events transpire, King Sa'ud might be forced to abdicate, leaving the throne to his younger brother Faisal or Talal.
• The Friend Nobody Likes: Inverted. Sa'ud is the only person in his court who is still respected by the Italians and the striking workers, which gives him the perfect position to consider all of his options and decide what future Saudi Arabia should gravitate towards.
• I Did What I Had to Do: After failing to nationalize the ARAMCO oil company, Sa'ud has begrudgingly submitted to the Italian sphere of influence and made concessions of Saudi oil to them, at the expense of the general populace.
• Internal Reformist: In the chaos of the 1940s and 1950s, King Sa'ud did his level best to continue with the reforms he had put into place in education and infrastructure, bringing Saudi Arabia into the modern world.
• Necessarily Evil: Compared to Faisal and Talal, Sa'ud is the most willing to collaborate with the Italians, borrowing their expertise and allowing them to invest in Saudi oil. He doesn't enjoy groveling to them, but he believes that it's the best way to get the investment needed to modernize the country.
• Playing Both Sides: As multiple world powers vie for control of their rich oil deposits, Sa'ud is careful to balance their interests so that Saudi Arabia doesn't become a puppet to any of them. He must also be careful to balance their interests with the demands of his people, who will hate being exploited as cheap labor if the foreign corporations get too influential.
• Realpolitik: Sa'ud is aligned to Italy so long as they provide the means for Saudi Arabia to modernize, in spite of the human cost. Once this goal is achieved, Sa'ud will exit their sphere as soon as he can.
• Well-Intentioned Extremist: Sa'ud will resort to any means to develop and industrialize his nation, even if it means collaborating with Italian corporations and letting them exploit his people as cheap labor with few protections.

Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

Role: Head of State (Sa'ud succession)

Party: al-'Usra al-Su'ūd^note House of Saud - Traditionalist Wing

Ideology: Absolute Monarchy^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}What is modernization? The officer in their barracks may say it's socialism; the Red Prince may say it's the ideals of Liberty and egalitarianism; the Shah of Tehran sees it as Westernization and anti-traditionalism, yet to Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud modernization need not require the abandonment of Islamic and Arab tradition and government to pointlessly follow western doctrines of Socialism, democracy and Nationalism.

Intelligent, efficient and beloved, the young prince would quickly rise through the ranks of the House of Saud, serving a variety of posts throughout the kingdom and would be entrusted by his father as his representative on a multitude diplomatic missions. His skills would earn him the favour of his father and the royal court, even nominating to bequeath him his successor, despite this Faisal's older brother Saud would remain the crown prince for fears of instability. However, the ever-cunning prince would not have his influence be demolished, quite the opposite, he would only grow in influence and position, culminating in a clash with his brothers Saud and Talal.
One thing would always remain a constant throughout Faisal's postings no matter where in the kingdom they were, and that was the sight of slavery, poverty, disorganization and underdevelopment, and when he would leave the kingdom and look to the world outside, he would see colonialism, imperialism, discrimination. Muslim nations held captive in the hands of conquerors that knew nothing of the people and their god. He did not see race, gender or sect, for they mattered nought to him, useless divisions of the common struggle held by all Muslims, to erase the same pain that stringed all subjects of god.

With his seat on the throne secured, Faisal sees nothing more important to him than the modernization of his nation and the preservation of its people and culture. Leftists may protest him for constitution, but isn't the word of god our only constitution? The clergy may protest his reforms, yet no sane man could possibly question his Islamic beliefs and his determination to uplift the entire Muslim nation.

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• Internal Reformist: Faisal aims to fight against discrimination, poverty, and foreign imperialism in his country, believing that it will align Saudi Arabia closer to its Islamic beliefs.
• Right for the Wrong Reasons: In a teased description, Faisal is right that Sa'ud's blunders as King were a major factor behind the massive strikes cropping up in Saudi Arabia, but he blames the crisis on Sa'ud's tolerance for "leftist radicals" and not on the fact that these protestors are more so driven by the intolerably harsh working conditions they are subjected to.
• Royals Who Actually Do Something: Faisal is a reform-minded king who belies that Saudi Arabia can modernize without abandoning its Islamic and Arabic traditions.

Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

Role: Head of State (Sa'ud succession)

Party: al-'Usra al-Su'ūd^note House of Saud - Reformist Wing

Ideology: Semi-Constitutional Monarchy^note Paternalism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Storytellers throughout the realms tell tales of courageous liberators arriving to free the oppressed from the yoke of tyranny, yet very rarely do those daring revolutionaries come from that very yoke. Despite this, the so-called Red Prince has emerged as the face of the opposition against the cruel absolutism of the Saudi establishment, and as a stout defender of liberty and equality.

Born in 1931 to the legendary Ibn Sa'ud and an Armenian mother, the young Talal would find himself growing in a paradox, a country stuck in the Middle Ages in a rapidly changing world. Uncontent with this peculiar state of affairs, Talal would break court taboo and gravitate towards ideas of liberalism, constitutionalism, equality and western-style parliamentarianism. Culminating in his public promotion of modernization and liberalization. However, the prince's politics have not stopped him from climbing the ranks of the Saudi government, quite the opposite, he has served through various cabinet positions, first as minister of communications then as the influential and envious post of minister of finance.

With his growing power, a growing audience of supporters would pick up his ideas of equality and reform. Many from within the small but growing Saudi middle class would find themselves caught up with his calls for liberty, even attracting other nobles and princes from the royal house. Partially inspired by Arab thinkers such as Gamal Abdelnasser, Talal would propagate pan-Arab and anti-Italian rhetoric, earning him the support of many within the nationalist scene and especially that of popular petroleum minister, Abdallah Al-Tariki.

Now, Talal has gone against the odds and done the impossible, emerging from the dust of Saud's abdication as King of Sa'udi Arabia. With the clergy appalled, and the nobility Stacked against him on one hand and the left assailing him for not going far enough on the other; Talal and his five-prince clique still have many struggles ahead, yet they remain determined and unwavering in their dreams of a free and democratic Arabia. Only time may tell whether the fires of change will burn throughout Arabia, or be smothered by the encroaching forces of reaction.

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• Internal Reformist: Talal is one of the most liberal-minded members in the House of Saud, leading the reformist wing of the family and propagating radical ideas of constitutionalism and western-styled parliamentarism.
• Red Baron: Talal's radical reformism within the Saudi royal court earned him the nickname "The Red Prince."
• We ARE Struggling Together: Talal and his support base are united in a general consensus that Saudi Arabia must reform, but what that means varies from person to person. Unless the movement can agree to a more specific common goal, it might be doomed to collapse.

Stati di Tregua

^{Flag of the Republic of the Arabian Gulf}

^{Flag of the League of Arab Sheikhdoms}

^{Flag of the United Arab Emirates}

^{Flag of the People's Republic of the Arabian Gulf}

Official Name: Stati di Tregua^Tr.Trucial States, Republic of the Arabian Gulf (Independent), United Arab Emirates (Independent, Oligarchy), The League of Arab Sheikhdoms (Independent, Absolute Monarchy), People's Republic of the Arabian Gulf (Independent, Communist)

Ideology: Colonial Government^note Despotism

The Italian governorate in the Persian Gulf, encompassing Bahrain, Qatar, and the Trucial States, established following the Second Italo-Turkish War.

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• MegaCorp: The ENI is based in the Gulf, holding a monopoly over Middle Eastern oil and exporting it throughout the world.

Enrico Mattei

Role: Head of State

Party: Amministrazione Italiana del Golfo^note Italian Administration of the Gulf

Ideology: Colonial Government^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Long before beginning his tenure as Governor of the Gulf, Enrico Mattei was one of the most powerful men in the Empire. Known for his disdain for politics and his little sympathy for fascism, Mattei spent his whole life doing business - from a humble start, he soon entered AGIP, the Italian state's oil company. There, he rose through the ranks, climbing the company's hierarchy before becoming its head just after the end of the war. Yet, Mattei's ambition was far from being satisfied.

As the Empire grew massively during the war, it found itself in control of a staggering amount of rich oil reserves. A new situation required new methods, new technology, new organization, new trade deals - more wells, more refineries, more workers, more money, more oil. AGIP grew under Mattei's direction, until it was finally reorganized into ENI, an industrial and financial behemoth capable of standing toe to toe with Japanese Zaibatsu. From his new headquarters in the Gulf, Mattei watched his own empire grow, becoming the main architect of the Dubai Project - a shining city in the desert, which began as a pet project of fascist colonialism and turned into a capital for Mattei's oil kingdom.

After the Italian victory against Turkey, Mattei made another grab for power, and pushed for his nomination as Governor of the Gulf. As the oil king's rule was recognized, his plans for reform in the country are already becoming reality, as he brings the local emirs into the colony's government, while at the same maintaining a cautious friendship with the Saudis - something his critics often point out. With Dubai firmly in Mattei's hands, his ambition has been given new and powerful tools - after all, if ENI prospers, Italy prospers, and now ENI's six legged dog roars a flame that burns brighter than ever.

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• Honest Corporate Executive: Mattei may be serving Italian interests, but he is an apolitical executive who has little sympathy for fascism and has accomplished many admirable feats, notably constructing the beautiful city of Dubai. Should he be appointed as governor of the Gulf, Mattei will begin initiating reforms to help stabilize the region and benefit both the Italians and Saudis.
• Internal Reformist: His rule over the Gulf is defined by his reformist mindset, in which he'll invite local emirs to the colonial government to increase their representation.
• Odd Friendship: Unlike most of the Italian governors, Mattei has a cautious friendship with the local Saudis, which his opponents often criticize him for.
• Plot-Triggering Death: Mattei's death is one of the contributing factors to the Oil Crisis, a central part of the TNO 1972-1982 content.
• Reasonable Authority Figure: Mattei's rule over the Gulf is generally fair to the local Saudis and he even implements some reforms to help increase their representation in the government.
• Token Good Teammate: Mattei is one of the most powerful men in Italy, but he will not stand with Italy and is a genuine reformer.

Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan

Role: Head of Government (Mattei cabinet), Head of State (United Arab Emirates formed)

Party: Amministrazione Italiana del Golfo^note Italian Administration of the Gulf

Ideology: Oligarchy^note Paternalism

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• Les Collaborateurs: Zayed is one of the more amicable emirs to the Italian presence in the Gulf, even if he would rather see his homeland independent than continue facilitating their occupation.
• Internal Reformist: After the United Arab Emirates is formed, Zayed will declare his intent to reform the country's economy and industry, as well as introduce a number of democratic reforms.
• Reasonable Authority Figure: While he maintains old ties with Italy, he is interested in reforming his country and benefiting the people he rules.

Shakhbut bin Sultan al Nahyan

Role: Head of State (League of Arab Sheikhdoms formed)

Party: Amministrazione Italiana di Dubai^note Italian Administration of Dubai

Ideology: Absolute Monarchy^note Despotism

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• Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: Though a nominal collaborator, Shakhbut is apprehensive to the Italians, especially when they replaced him with his more loyal brother Zayed as emir.

Abdul Rahman Al Bakir

Role: Head of State (Arab Administrators coup)

Party: National Union Committee

Ideology: Left-Wing Populism^note Progressivism

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• Les Collaborateurs: Abdul Rahman collaborated with Mattei and the Italians to fight against rival emirs in the Gulf and cement Italy's hold over the region.
• The Starscream: Despite their partnership, Abdul Rahman can overthrow Mattei and proclaim the Gulf's independence from Italy.

Gurudas Dasgupta

Role: Head of State (Socialist revolt)

Party: Regionalist Radicals

Ideology: Syndicalism^note Socialism

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• Outside-Context Problem: Dasgupta is the leader of Indian socialist revolutionaries in the Italian Gulf, who can launch a revolution and turn the Gulf red. Though the setup may sound ridiculous, the actual situation makes a lot more sense; just as in real life, Southern Asian migrant workers make up a very sizeable majority of the population of the Gulf.

United Arab Republic

Official Name: United Arab Republic

Ruling Party: Hizb al-Ba'th al-Arabi al-Ishtiraki^note Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party

Ideology: Ba'athism^note Socialism

A formable nation resulting from the unification of 2 or more Pan-Arab states following the Oil Crisis.

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• Rising Empire: Despite already being able to stretch across Egypt, Sudan, and the entire Arabian peninsula, the United Arab Republic looks to expand their territory into Italy's possessions in North Africa, especially the Suez Canal.
• Rank Up: 6 of the pan-Arab leaders (Hafez al-Assad in Syria, Gamal Abdel Nasser in Egypt, George Habash in Palestine, Abdul Salam Arif and Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr in Iraq, and Abdullah al-Sallal in Yemen) can all become President of the United Arab Republic.
• Space-Filling Empire: The United Arab Republic can span nearly all of the Arab world from Sudan to Iraq.

Yemen

Kingdom of Yemen

Official Name: Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen

Ruling Party: Hamid al-Din

Ideology: Absolute Monarchy^note Despotism

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• Civil War: As the 60s come to a close, Arab nationalists rise up to depose Ahmad bin Yahya. After they take power, they invade Saudi Arabia and proclaim the United Arab Republic, if they succeed.
• Event Flag: Both the Yemeni and Omani Civil Wars, as well as the subsequent invasion of Saudi Arabia, lead to the triggering of the Oil Crisis.
• The Friend Nobody Likes: Since Yemen doesn't specialize in any trade like the other colonies, the country is generally disregarded by its Italian overlords. Even Mussolini made a rare gaffe upon remembering them, forgetting the name of their Imam and moving on.
• Puppet State: Officially, Yemen is supposed to be a protectorate of Italy, but since they often ignore their puppet state, Yemen has become increasingly reliant on Saudi Arabia for support, tying their economy and political support heavily onto them.

Ahmad bin Yahya

Role: Head of State

Party: Hamid al-Din

Ideology: Absolute Monarchy^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Libya is the fourth shore, the first and greatest of the Italian colonies. Ethiopia is its most populous region, Egypt its breadbasket, and the Gulf Territories the source of its precious oil. The Imamate of Yemen is not much of anything. At a Triumvirate Summit in the late 50s, Mussolini himself committed a rare gaffe, forgetting the name of the current Imam, and quickly switching subjects in his shame. Ahmad Bin Yaha is not a man easily forgotten. He is powerful, but frail. He remains physically imposing even in his old age, but his mind grows ever more feeble thanks to his endless use of morphine. Under the British, Bin Yaha was a dichotomy, swearing loyalty and friendship to the empire even as he worked to undermine it. Under Italy, he is much the same. Were the lands he ruled of greater import, no doubt his underhanded moves would bring the wrath of the Mare Nostrum down upon Yemen, but for now, he rules unchallenged.

Bizarrely, for a man who clothes himself in jewels and golden cloth while his people starve, Bin Yaha is beloved by his subjects. Though there are reports of growing subversive movements in the army and civil service, Bin Yaha's face decorates the posters of every street corner, and when he travels, his caravan is mobbed by fervent admirers.

But he's also growing old. The Imam's visitors kneel before him and kiss his hands, and he pays them all the proper courtesies even if he doesn't remember their names. Though the Italian government is content to ignore Yemen so long as it pays its taxes and tributes, a few are already sounding alarms about how little prepared the nation is for a future without the firm hand of its ruler.

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• Cult of Personality: Ahmad is a lazy, materialistic ruler, apathetic to his starving citizens, but is beloved in his country. On every street corner, one can find a post of Ahmad's face. The Imam's caravan, whenever he travels, is even mobbed by his admirers.
• King on His Deathbed: The Imam of Yemen is growing old. His mind grows ever more feeble thanks to his endless use of morphine, and he no longer remembers the names of his subjects. A few are already sounding alarms about how little prepared Yemen is for a future without the firm hand of its ruler.
• Rage Within the Machine: Under the British, the Imam of Yemen swore loyalty and friendship to the empire even as he worked to undermine it. Under Italy, he is much the same and will continue nominally supporting their interests during the Yemeni Civil War.

Muhammad al-Badr

Role: Head of State (Saudi victory)

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• Puppet King: After the Saudis defeat the Yemen Arab Republic, they will install al-Badr on the throne of Yemen as a Saudi puppet.

Yemen Arab Democratic Republic

Official Name: Yemen Arab Democratic Republic, Arabian Republic (Saudis defeated)

Ruling Party: Tanzim Abdulaat al-Ahrar

Ideology: Left-Wing Nationalism^note Socialism

In the late 1960s, Pan-Arab nationalists will revolt in North Yemen, centered around Sanaʽa. Tired with Italian dominance over the Arab world, their aim is to overthrow the collaborators and pro-Italian royalty, then establish a united republic of Arab states.

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• The Alliance: The Yemen Arab Democratic Republic is the leader of the United Arab States, an alliance consisting of the Dhofar Rebellion, the Levantine People's Republic, the Egyptian Revolutionary Command Council, the Sudanese Free Officers Organization, the Syrian Republic, and Ba'athist Iraq under the shared ideology of Pan-Arabism, before these countries join together as the United Arab Republic.
• Enemy Mine: They're the first Middle Eastern faction that can be supported by Germany to weaken Italian dominance over the Middle East.
• Event Flag: Its emergence and possible subsequent takeover of the whole of Yemen and invasion of Saudi Arabia is a catalyst for the Omani Civil War, Iraq Civil War, and the Global Oil Crisis.
• Occupiers Out of Our Country: They seek to expel all Italian and Saudi influence from Yemen.

Abdullah al-Sallal

Role: Head of State

Party: Tanzim Abdulaat al-Ahrar

Ideology: Left-Wing Nationalism^note Socialism

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• Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: If fascism survives in Italy, they will declare war on the United Arab States and invade the Middle East, resulting in the entire region falling under direct control of Italy.

Oman

Sultanato di Mascate e Oman

^{Flag of Oman (Paternalism)}

Official Name: Sultanate of Muscat and Oman

Ruling Party: 'Āl Sa'id^note House of Said

Ideology: Absolute Monarchy^note Despotism

The unstable and struggling Sultanate of Muscat and Oman, under gross mismanagement from Sultan Said bin Taimur. Internally, the country is being threatened by rising religious and socialist movements.

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• Civil War: Following the start of the Yemeni Civil War and the death of Sultan Said bin Taimur, Oman erupts into a three-way civil war between the Pan-Arab socialists in Dhofar, the theocratic Imamate in the east, and the Sultan's reform-minded son Qaboos.
• We ARE Struggling Together: Oman is splintering as the local councilors and other groups are growing tired of Sultan Said bin Taimur's lack of leadership and the threat of Italian influence growing within the country. By the time the game starts, several players are plotting their move to take power for themselves.

Said bin Taimur

Role: Head of State

Party: 'Āl Sa'id^note House of Said

Ideology: Absolute Monarchy^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}In a increasingly unstable region, the Sultunate of Oman lays at the center of a growing tide of chaos, sandwiched between danger on every side. To the north and east is the Italian empire: fragile, but with a ever-growing thirst for oil, and plenty of guns, influence, and diplomacy to spare to take it. To the west is Saudi arabia, its fanatic Wahhabi leaders only barely held back from further conquest by fears of the predations of the colonial powers. To the east is the ocean, where the grasping claws of tigers, eagles and dragons alike grow ever closer. From within the nation's desert hinterlands Arab nationalists and rebellious Imam's wax in strength, their numbers matched only by their dedication. Surely, when such threats abound, the Sultanate can rely on strong and dedicated leadership?

Alas, for the scion responsible for confronting these dangers is Said bin Taimur, a man barely able to rule his family and palace, let alone the nation beyond. Forced to choose between Italian protection and the dangers of isolation, he went with a feeble middle course, signing a humiliating "treaty of friendship" but refusing to join the Triumvirate or accept their advisors. Rather than using Oman's oil wealth to improve the lot of the nation's miserable populace, Taimur chooses to buy liquor and fast cars, and maintain the loyalty of his people by prohibiting them from using such moral dangers as cassette players and film reels.

As its nominal sultan retreats ever further into paranoia and isolation, alternating between drunken stupors and screaming fits, the rule alternates between scheming councillors and his son Qaboos, himself hypothetically under house arrest. It has become increasingly clear to international observers that Oman's survival in this dangerous new age is owed only to chance and the preoccupation of its rivals. How much longer this approach is feasible is deeply questionable.

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• The Caligula: The Sultan of Oman alternates between drunken stupors and screaming fits, while scheming councillors and his son Qaboos vie for power.
• Culture Police: Said maintains the loyalty of his people by prohibiting them from using such moral dangers as cassette players and film reels.

Qaboos bin Said

Role: Head of State (Omani Civil War)

Party: 'Āl Sa'id^note House of Said

Ideology: Semi-Constitutional Monarchy^note Paternalism

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• The Good King: Qaboos is much more intelligent and shows more concern towards the well-being of his subjects as opposed to his father.
• Gilded Cage: Because of his obvious better personal qualities compared to his father, Qaboos is often kept away from the public eye save for the occasional Balcony Speech. The Omani people often ponder whether this is for bin Said's protection or to prevent his popularity from increasing.
  "Those below are left to wonder whether their relationship is one of father and son, ruler and subject, or jailer and prisoner."
• Undying Loyalty: During the Omani Civil War, Qaboos leads the faction that is still loyal to Italy.

Imamate of Oman

Official Name: Imamate of Oman

Ruling Party: 'Atbaa' ul-Imam^note Followers of the Imam

Ideology: Theocracy^note Despotism

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• The Alliance: The Imamate is a coalition of Saudi-backed traditionalists and tribal groups who are united by their goal of restoring Oman's theocracy.
• Anti-Mutiny: After Qaboos launches a coup against Sultan Said, religious fundamentalists will rebel against him to restore the theocratic government, inciting the Omani Civil War.

Ghalib al-Hinai

Role: Head of State

Party: 'Atbaa' ul-Imam^note Followers of the Imam

Ideology: Theocracy^note Despotism

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• The Fundamentalist: al-Hinai is deeply devoted to Islam, wanting the teachings in the Qur'an as the basis for the country's laws and ideals.
• The Theocracy: al-Hinai is an Imam, and aims to transform Oman into an Imamate (similar to a caliphate) governed by Sharia Law.

Dhofar Rebellion

Official Name: Dhofar Rebellion

Ruling Party: Al-Jabha al-Sha'biyya li-Tahriri al-Khaleej al-muhtal^note Popular Front for the Liberation of the Occupied Arabian Gulf

Ideology: Arab Communism^note Communism

Born out of discontent over the lack of attention given to the struggling province, the incompetence of the Sultan, and growing Italian imperialism. The Rebellion is driven by Pan-Arabism and socialism, with the goal of deposing the Sultanate and unifying with a Pan-Arab republic.

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• Allohistorical Allusion:
  • The Dhofar Rebellion was an attempt to create a socialist republic in the Dhofar Province, and later to overthrow the sultan of Oman. Unlike in TNO, the rebellion was unsuccessful.
  • The flag used in TNO is the same flag used by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman.
• Bilingual Bonus: Their anti-imperialism and war against the Omani Sultanate is shown on their flag's Arabic text, which translates to "Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman".
• Chummy Commies: If the People's State of the Arabian Gulf forms, they will ally with and assist Dhofar in overthrowing the Omani sultanate.
• Civil War: The Dhofar Rebellion materializes at the same time as the Yemen Arab Republic, sparking civil wars in the neighbour countries.
• Enemy Mine: A particularly stark example among the many leftist Arab nationalist groups that Germany backs just because America and Japan have already thrown their support behind the rest of the warring factions. While most of the pan-Arab socialists are already a bit strange for the Nazis, the Rebellion is run by outright communists. The most bizarre part is that just like every faction Germany supports, the Dhofar Rebellion can fight alongside Wehrmacht volunteers.
• Occupiers Out of Our Country: Their dissatisfaction with Italian influence over Oman is one factor that contributed to their rebellion against the Sultanate.

Layla Fakhro

Role: Head of State

Party: Al-Jabha al-Sha'biyya li-Tahriri al-Khaleej al-muhtal^note Popular Front for the Liberation of the Occupied Arabian Gulf

Ideology: Arab Communism^note Communism

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• Young and in Charge: Fakhro is 17 at game start, and only in her late 20s when she leads the Dhofar Rebellion.

Iran

Imperial State of Iran

Official Name: Imperial State of Iran

Ruling Party: Ḥezb-e Mardom^note People's Party of Iran

Ideology: Semi-Constitutional Monarchy^note Paternalism

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• Allohistorical Allusion: In this timeline, the coup that ousted Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh in 1953 happened exactly like it did in real life, in response to Mosaddegh nationalising the same oil company controlled by a foreign superpower. The difference is that unlike in real life, the instigator of the coup was Germany instead of the USA and the UK, as they took control over the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company and renamed it to the Deutsche-Ölgesellschaft after their victory in World War II.
• A Child Shall Lead Them: The Shah's eldest son Crown Prince Reza is only a child when his father is assassinated, forcing his mother to serve as regent and lead the Imperial State of Iran as civil war erupts.
• Civil War: Iran will inevitably descend into an initially two-sided civil war between the Pahlavi monarchy and a coalition of its many enemies within the nation: constitutional monarchists, Islamists, republicans, communists and Balochi nationalists. Once the Pahlavis are deposed, the revolutionary alliance collapses and its members start fighting each other (except the Balochis, who simply peace out).
• Elite Army: The Imperial Guard are the most loyal and elite combat units in service to the Shah, armed with modern equipment and utilized harsh training and strict recruitment tests to find new recruits.
• Hated by All: The Iranian monarchy is despised by most factions in Iran for his unpopular "White Revolution" reforms and all of them will turn against them during the Iranian Civil War for a time under the "Revolutionary Iranian Liberation Front".
• Meaningful Rename: The Anglo-Iranian Oil Company was rebranded as the Deutsch-Persische Ölgesellschaft, signifying how much influence Germany wields over Iran after the British defeat in World War II.
• Regime Change:
  • In 1953, in response to Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh nationalising the Deutsche-Ölgesellschaft, Germany orchestrated a coup that ousted him, destroyed his democratic institution, empowered the Shah as a pro-German puppet and soured the government's relationship with the people.
  • Iran aided the Turkestan Legion in Central Asia, making them strong enough to threaten the other governments in the region.

Mohammed Reza Pahlavi

Role: Head of State

Party: Ḥezb-e Mardom^note People's Party of Iran

Ideology: Semi-Constitutional Monarchy^note Paternalism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Mohammad Reza Pahlavi ascended to the Iranian throne in 1941, his father forced into abdication during an abortive invasion from the Soviet Union and British Empire. International scholars have since argued that this was when the Shah first became sympathetic to the German Reich, two great empires bullied by the old European empires.

The decades since his ascension to the throne have seen the relationship between the Shah and his German friends grow ever closer, Germany making every effort to begin bringing Iran into their sphere following the war with all manner of recovery aid, international loans and military advisors. It was a relationship which was exposed to the world in August 1953 with the German orchestrated coup against then Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh and the installation of a firmly pro-German government, with the Shah greatly empowered and openly welcoming the German Reich into Iran.

Yet whilst the Shah may now enjoy the power and luxuries worthy of a true monarch, to say that the ground beneath him is shaky would be a great understatement. Having lost the trust of the populace, the Iranian people take to the streets to demand all manner of reform, with an influx of German racial theory inflaming all manner of racial conflicts within Iran. So too have his German benefactors began to demand reform, preferring a more liberal Iran which may remain in their Sphere to one aflame. Now with the 2,500th anniversary of the Iranian monarchy imminent, the Shah is determined to ensure it can last for 2,500 years more.

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• And There Was Much Rejoicing: News of the Shah's death leads to celebration across Iran, as his so-called White Revolution reforms have turned much of the nation against him.
• Plot-Triggering Death: The Shah's assassination leads to unrest across Iran and the military stepping in to put down rioting in several major cities, which eventually escalates to a full-blown civil war.
• The Quisling: The Shah was greatly empowered to lead a pro-German regime in Iran after Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh was overthrown.

Farah Pahlavi

Role: Head of State (Mohammed assassinated)

Party: Hezb-i Irān-i Nuvīn^note Iran Novin Party

Ideology: Absolute Monarchy^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Farah Pahlavi is the Shahbanu, Empress of the Imperial State of Iran. As a daughter to wealthy parents Farah's upbringing was a privileged one, full of opportunities that common Iranians could only dream of. She met the Shah as a student of architecture in the Reich, and they were married in an opulent ceremony which caused her country's Treasury some strain. For ten years and more the Shah ruled over Iran, and Farah enjoyed all the glamour and luxury that was due the Empress. She was not idle during this time, working to improve the lot of Iranian women and fostering cultural initatives.

Then her world was set aflame. With her husband's death Farah Pahlavi became Regent of the Imperial State, watching her country collapse into civil war. The Shahbanu is known to favour the German language over Persian; more importantly, she represents an establishment dedicated to German-Iranian friendship, and the continued provision of oil to the Reich.

Now the Empress presides over a throne stained in blood, as German guns and German bombers reduce her country to rubble. To the Generals and SAVAK men who support her regency, the Empress is a stabilising figure, the last hope that the 2500 year monarchy will survive. The Empress herself can only watch as more and more people are butchered in her name.

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• Everyone Has Standards: It's implied that she's disturbed by the casualties ensuing in the Iranian Civil War, even if those murders were done in her name.
• Foreign Culture Fetish: The Shahbanu is known to prefer the German language over her native Persian.
• Pet the Dog: While pro-German, Farah has spent her time as Empress to improve the living conditions for Iranian women and fostered cultural revivals in the country.
• The Quisling: During the Iranian Civil War, the Shahbanu is 'supported' by Wehrmacht volunteers and German guns, in order to ensure the continued provision of oil to the Reich.

Iranian Civil War

Islamic Republic of Iran

Official Name: Islamic Republic of Iraq

Ruling Party: Ḥezb-e Jomhūrī-e Eslāmī^note Islamic Republican Party

Ideology: Theocracy^note Despotism

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• The Theocracy: The Islamic Republic of Iran, as its name would indicate, is ruled by Imam Ruhollah Khomeini according to the law of God.

Ruhollah Khomeini

Role: Head of State

Party: Ḥezb-e Jomhūrī-e Eslāmī^note Islamic Republican Party

Ideology: Theocracy^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Ruhollah Khomeini has lived in exile for more than a decade. His legend has only grown in this time. Unlike the Nazi-backed imperial junta and the American-backed 'democrats', Khomeini's base of support lies in the Iranian people, and his power in their desire to break the shackles of foreign oppression and live according to the Will of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Khomeini's vision for Iran is that of 'welayat-el faqih', with a group of learned Islamic jurists providing guardianship to the state. To his enemies' surprise the Ayatollah has proven a pragmatic man, making and breaking alliances with all manner of power centres as he sees fit. To his supporters, emboldened by cassette tapes carrying his message, Khomeini is anything and everything. To the religious he promises a return to Islamic values; to the nationalists, an end to the 'Jewish agents' and 'foreign serpents' backing their enemies. To the young, the Ayatollah promises hope and a better life. As for his own role in the Iranian Revolution, perhaps only God knows.

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• The Exile: Khomeini has been exiled from Iran for more than a decade, but he returns to the country again during the Iranian Civil War, intent on turning Iran into an Islamic theocracy.

Democratic Republic of Iran

Official Name: Democratic Republic of Iran

Ruling Party: Jebhe-ye Melli-ye Irān^note National Front of Iran

Ideology: Classical Liberalism^note Liberalism

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• The Remnant: The members of the National Front are made up of supporters and former members of the Mosaddegh government prior to the Shah's coup. They remained active underground and will launch an armed campaign following the Shah's assassination and the start of the Iranian Civil War.
• We ARE Struggling Together: At the beginning of the Iranian Civil War, the Democratic Republic of Iran is in an alliance with the Iranian Socialist Republic. However, their different ideologies and goals make cooperation between the two difficult, and they will eventually break ties with one another.

Karim Sanjabi

Role: Foreign Minister (Bakhtiar cabinet), Head of State

Party: Jebhe-ye Melli-ye Irān^note National Front of Iran

Ideology: Classical Liberalism^note Liberalism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Karim Sanjabi is not a man to give up quickly. An old guard of the democratic nationalists in Iran, his National Front party maintained a brave opposition to the Shah and suffered for it, with the reviled SAVAK taking increasingly harsh measures to crush the opposition. Sanjabi himself never gave up fighting for his dream of a strong, free Iran. It was his courage and determination which would make him de-facto leader of the pro-democratic underground in the country, turning into the burgeoning Democratic Republic of Iran at the outbreak of the Iranian Revolution.

The upheaval unleashed by the revolution brought opportunity, and the backing of a new friend on the other side of the world. Mobilising all of their contacts, Sanjabi's faction has called for assistance from the United States of America, making whatever promises were necessary to secure Washington's support. The fight will be difficult. But perhaps this association can turn the tide, and if so the sun may rise over a democratic Iran, one where its people are prosperous and free.

The former foreign minister in the Mosaddegh government. Following the Shah's coup, Sanjabi and other members of the party managed to escape capture and went into hiding. The National Front continued to operate underground, and Sanjabi found himself the leader as a result of his bravery and willingness to continue to fight for a free and democratic Iran.

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• The Determinator: Sanjabi has never given up on his mission for a strong, free Iran, which is why he is made the de-facto leader of the democratic movement during the civil war.

Shahdom of Iran

Official Name: Shahdom of Iran

Ruling Party: Jebhe-ye Melli-ye Irān^note National Front of Iran

Ideology: Liberal Conservatism

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• The Good Kingdom: The Shahdom aims to create a benevolent constitutional monarchy that can free the common people and bring prosperity to Iran.

Shapour Bakhtiar

Role: Head of State

Party: Jebhe-ye Melli-ye Irān^note National Front of Iran

Ideology: Liberal Conservatism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Shapour Bakhtiar has never asked for much from his opponents. Where the other claimants to Iranian leadership have denounced the Shah, Bakhtiar sought only to keep the monarchy in place with a constitution. For every call for blood he has called for moderation, reconciliation, and peace. For this many of the Iranian people revile him as an apologist for tyranny. They could not be more wrong.

For Bakhtiar has more than earned his stripes as a freedom fighter. During the Spanish Civil War, he had fought on the side of the ill-fated Republic. When the Germans subdued France, Bakhtiar used his contacts among the French Resistance to undermine the occupier. Now Bakhtiar fights for his own country, and he is determined that he shall not fight for the losing side another time. All he has ever wanted is for his people to be free, and to be led by a good man towards this goal. Only death will stop him.

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• Category Traitor: His desire to compromise with the Iranian monarchy in hopes of a peaceful resolution have made him reviled as an appeaser to the despotic Shah.
• The Good Chancellor: Should Bakhtiar win the Iranian Civil War, he'll form a regency council to rule until Crown Prince Reza comes of age, and conduct sweeping reforms to turn Iranian into a truly democratic constitutional monarchy.
• Reasonable Authority Figure: Unlike the other belligerents in the civil war, Bakhtiar never wanted war or bloodshed, instead advocating reconciliation and the preservation of the monarchy that was restrained by a constitution.

Socialist Federation of Iran

Official Name: Socialist Federation of Iran

Ruling Party: Ḥezb-e Tūde-ye Īrān^note Tudeh Party of Iran

Ideology: Bolshevism^note Communism

After years of oppression under the Shah's reign, the Iranian socialists and communists band together following his assassination in the efforts to form a communist state in Iran.

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• The Purge: After the socialists emerge victorious in the Iranian Civil War, they conduct a mass arrest and execution of Pahlavi loyalists, disloyal clerics and foreign industrialists.

Iraj Eskandari

Role: Head of State

Party: Ḥezb-e Tūde-ye Īrān^note Tudeh Party of Iran

Ideology: Bolshevism^note Communism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}History has been cruel indeed to the worker's revolution. Iraj Eskandari, founder of the Tudeh communist movement, knows this as well as any Iranian can. For decades the Iranian people have languished under a reactionary autocracy, one which put Eskandari himself in prison in a show trial staged by Reza Shah. His successor was no better. Under Mohammed Pahlavi the workers of Persia suffered humiliation upon humiliation. Now the people have risen against their oppressors, armed and funded by Nazis. From his vantage point in the hills and mountains of Tabriz, one man is fated to lead the workers to freedom or oblivion.

This will be the greatest battle of their lives, waged against unspeakable odds. Other factions in the struggle, aligned with the military establishment, with reactionary clerics or with foreign powers, are determined to bury the socialist dream in the dirt. But Iraj Eskandari has waited for this moment for thirty years. He will die for it if necessary.

And should he succeed, then the proletariat will reshape this country and destroy its enemies. Whatever it takes.

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• Chummy Commies: Eskandari is a socialist rebel who opposes the Shah monarchy for the abuses they have subjected to the common worker.
• Well-Intentioned Extremist: While Eskandari's methods are violent, he is genuinely motivated in establishing a socialist utopia for the people of Iran.

Baluchi Liberation Front

Official Name: Balotch

Ideology: Islamic Conservatism^note Conservatism

An Iranian province in south-eastern Iran, the Baluchi people are majority Sunni while the rest of Iran is overwhelmingly Shia. This religious divide, as well as their unique cultural identity, has put them at odds with the Shah. When the Iranian Civil War erupts, they seize the chance to declare their independence.

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• Choosing Neutrality: When the Iranian Civil War erupts, the Baluchi Liberation Front forms part of the Revolutionary Iranian Liberation Front, fighting against the Pahlavi establishment. When the Pahlavis are defeated and the Revolutionary Alliance collapses, the Baloch people declare their neutrality and withdraw from the war as their erstwhile allies start fighting each other, since they have no desire to rule over all of Iran.

Sher Mohammed Marri

Role: Head of State

Party: Balotch

Ideology: Islamic Conservatism^note Conservatism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Sher Mohammed is a Marri chief of Baluchestan. As leader of the Baluchi Liberation Front, he has pioneered guerrilla warfare against all those who would encroach on the independence of the Baluch. A proud Sunni people in a nation of Shia, with their own language, culture and tradition, the millions of Baluchi have long been ruled by people who do not understand them. To this nationalist motivation Sher Mohammed adds a Marxist interpretation, seeing his people's struggle as yet another in the eternal fight against the oppressor.Perhaps their fight is doomed to failure from the beginning. The enemy has overwhelming superiority in both men and arms. It matters not. They will pay with blood for every inch of these mountains.

A Marri chief, Sher Mohammed has now found himself leading the push for Baluchi independence in southern Iran.

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• The Determinator: Although Marri recognizes that the Baluchi people are outnumbered by their enemies, he's still determined to fight for as long as possible and restore independence to his people.

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