Alpine Confederation (1983: Doomsday)

Territory
The Alpine Confederation formally consists of the old states of Switzerland, Austria and the small Liechtenstein. Informally some neighbouring regions who have put themselves unter Alpine protection are considered Alpine territory as well.

So the Alpine Militia controls and secures Southern Tirol and a few dictricts of former Northern Italy, the French Montblanc massive (up to Grenoble) and a strip on the German side of the Rhine River stretching from the Bodensee to Freiburg and adjacent communities.

Government
The Alpine Confederation is governed by a newly constructed poilitical system reflecting the unique Swiss history and the Austrian Federal System.

So as pre-DD the main part of the political theatre today still takes place on the regional (Kanton) or state stage. The denominations for the swiss and Austrian Territories have been unchanged. The small Liechtenstein keeps up the monarchy and is otherwise integrated as a Kanton (state) into the Confederational System.

The confederal Government focusses its activities on military, national security, foreign affairs and population's supply.

The government consists of a joint Confederational Council which is elected by the 'Rat der Konfoederation" and is changed regularly on defined dates.

The Confederation President has merely only represantational functions.

Military
The Alpine Military (Militia Alpina) is -unique to most post-doomsday nations- a mainly land-based force. It follows the old Swiss Militia Structure which proved precious in maintainig order and defending the Core State from the ravaging chaos around it (refugees, on-the-loose military units and local warlords.

Today, the Militia virtually established an "Alpine Fortress" with heavy border garrisons and defense structures mainly following the Alps itself.

The Militia is considered to be the best-equipped and best trained land-based force in at least the norhern Hemisphere.

The only maritime-naval base is currently operated in Nizza-Monaco, jointly with ADC garrisons.

The 2000's and current situation, Problems and Conflicts
The Alpine Confederation represents today a considerable force on the European Continent, relying on its impressive military capabilities.

The declared continous neutrality has put it -alongside Tonga, the R.T.F and Portugal, put into a meditation role on the geopolitical stage.

Remarkably, the Alpine Confederation has -despite deeply friendly relations- refused to become part of the Atlantic Defense Community as the above-all law of everlasting neutrality is strongly honoured by the Confed Government.

This is kind of weakened in the face of the actual rising tensions with the perilously expansionist Sicilian Republic. The Confed Government -especially the Social-Democrats- see themselves as the guardian of European Democracy and tend-despite the formal neutrality- to position the Alpine Confederation as a counterweight to the Neo-fascist Sicily Government.

Currently negotiations with the French and Venetians -the only Italian province openly opposing Sicily- to create an "Alpine Curtain" around the Italian Peninsula's northern borders- are advancing.

Immediate Response
The Governments of the Alpine states- formally neutral- are facing a catastrophical scenario: They are virtually the only largely functioning governments on the European Continent surrounded by chaos, anarchy, nuclear fallout.

Immediately, the Swiss and Austrian Militaries declare their unconditional cooperation, martial law is declared, the long-trained-for Swiss Militia is fully mobilized in order to protect both the cizitens and to secure and defend all borders. All border-crossing-traffic is immediately stopped and the borders closed in all directions (except for Swiss, Liechtenstein and Austrian citizens.

As the military avtivation functions relatively smoothly the shortage in provisions, food, medicals proves extremely difficult. Everything is rationed, civil traffic is suspended and agricultural production put under state authority.

The nuclear fallout in the months after DD poses an immanent threat to the survival. Hundres of thousands loose their lives in the direct aftermath, but the nations as a whole prove surviving.

Refugee Tragedy - the darkest chapter
Today, the years from 1984-1986 are considered to be the darkest chapter in the Alpine Region's history. Fallen victim to another war around them, Swiss, Austrians and Liechtensteiners shut all borders to their neighbours, retreat to themselves.

Quickly, they are faced with an overwhelming refugee problem. Tens and hundreds of thousands of hungry, devastated people from France, Germany, Italy and the Warsaw Pact Nations of Hungary, Yugoslavia try to reach the (said) safe haven in the heart of Europe.

Heart-breaking tragedies from boat people on the Rhine to people trying to cross the borders via the High Alpine passes in mid-winter and occasional incidents with the military today create shame in the hearts of many Alpine Citizens. Politics are thoroughly dominated by the question of having made the right choice.