Alpine Confederation (1983: Doomsday)

The Alpine Confederation, often simply called Alpine, is a large multi-national country located in the Alpine Mountains. It was formed of an union between Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. It's regarded as the leading power of Central Europe and is the most economically stable on mainland Europe.

Pre-Doomsday Situation
Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland were three of the most wealthy nations in Europe before Doomsday. They were also neutral states, not being allies of either the USA or the USSR. This was to prove fortunate when Doomsday occurred.

Doomsday
Thanks to Switzerland's neutrality as well as its history of not having participated in any global conflict, it was fortunate enough to have not been targeted on September 26th. Liechtenstein was too small to ever be considered to be target in the Cold War. However Austria was shockingly attacked by the nuclear and conventional forces of the Soviet Union at Vienna. Despite the fact the country was just as neutral as Switzerland, Soviet planners considered Austria too strategically important to avoid thanks to its position between eastern and western blocs. The Soviets also thought NATO forces would enter the country if a World War 3 ever broke out.

Vienna was completely destroyed by two nuclear bombs estimated to have detonated at 500 kilotons. Later that night Soviet troops moved in from Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Although the nuclear strikes devastated Austria the nation was fortunate enough to have most of the radioactive fallout blow to the east. Given Vienna's eastern location only parts of Lower Austria and Burgenland became irradiated. Soviet forces, having already suffered numerous causalities from radiation and nuclear strikes, were defeated in all battles by the Austrian Defense Forces so they quickly withdrew. This is known to be the only conflict fought b conventional meanings in the days around Doomsday.

Just a few weeks after it started a joint NATO/Warsaw Pact ceasefire brought histories most destructive conflict to an end. With its capital gone Austria had numerous problems with restoring order. After the Austrian states except for Vienna and Burgenland created a temporary confederation-type government, a provisional capital was designated in Lienz. Switzerland however sent aid and supplies to the country. It also sent in the Swiss army to help restore order. The surviving Austrian states began considering Swiss annexation in an attempt to further protect and restore the country. Later on in February of 1984 Switzerland formally annexed the remaining Austrian states and renamed the country the Austro-Schweiz Union.

Immediate Response
What would become the Government of the Austro-Swiss Union was facing a catastrophical scenario: it was the only largely functioning government in Continental Europe- surrounded by chaos, anarchy, and nuclear fallout.

Immediately, the Swiss and Austrian armed forces declared their unconditional cooperation, martial law was declared, the long-trained-for Swiss Militia was fully mobilized in order to protect both the citizens and to secure and defend all borders. All border-crossing-traffic was immediately stopped and the borders closed in all directions (except for Swiss, Liechtenstein and Austrian citizens.) As the military activation functioned without problems the shortage in provisions, food and medicals proved extremely difficult. Everything was rationed, civil traffic largely suspended and agricultural production was put under state authority.

The nations did receive a large amount of radioactive fallout in the first few weeks after the nuclear war, blowing in mostly from the north and the west. All civilians were urged to remain indoors and rely upon the food storaged. Only the absolutely necessary activities were allowed to happen outside, in which one was required to cover-up as much of their body as possible. While thousands of people still died from radiation poisoning these measures saved millions. With the Alps acting as a natural barrier against most of the remaining fallout, radioactive levels had fallen back to safe levels within some weeks.

The nations of the Alps had managed to keep order throughout this catastrophe, and proved stable.

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 almost immediately shut all borders to their neighbours.

Quickly, they were facing an overwhelming refugee problem. Tens and hundreds of thousands of hungry, injured, and devastated people from the surrounding nations tried to reach the said "safe haven" in the heart of Europe. At first, the countries of Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein considered to help these people but soon the sheer number of them would overstretch the Alpine Nations. The then world class health care system of these nations was already struggling to handle all of its native citizens.

Facing the situation it became apparent that they would have to either reject the refugees or face total social and economic collapse. The nations finally came to a difficult decision:

Switzerland and Austria would completely close the borders to anyone but those holding passports or having direct family ties to Switzerland, Austria or Liechtenstein. In the near future though, the Alpines would try to move into the surrounding territory and help those stranded there.

In the following weeks and months, heart-breaking tragedies occured:

starving and injured people risking their lives trying to escape via the High Alpine passes in mid-winter, only to later die after being forcibly sent back by the military. These stories and destinies today create shame in the hearts of many Alpine Citizens. Politics are still to a part dominated by the question of having made the right choice in the aftermath of Doomsday

1987 - 1993
These years were spent restablishing contact with the world, as well as defending the nation against the remaining warlords and bandits the still roamed Europe. In 1988 they helped save Tuscany from being taken over by Sicily, although Tuscany did lose much of their land and was forced to divide Florence and Pisa and retreat their government to Prato. The Tuscan-Alpina-Genao cooperation here would later become the.

A New Nation
As time passed by things finally began to stabilize in the region. As conditions began to return to normal the political system of the Austro-Swiss Union underwent large scale change. Having been completely surrounded by the Austro-Swiss Union for years and being completely integrated to the country, Liechtenstein finally accepted the inevitable and pressed for membership to formally join the country. Meanwhile surrounding lands annexed by Austria and Switzerland began to press for greater autonomy within the country. Finally on the second of June, 1997 the Austro-Swiss Union was dissolved. The country was renamed the Alpine Confederation and a new constitution was passed into law. After much debate the capital was moved from Bern to the more central Vaduz in order to give tiny Liechtenstein and the neighbouring Austrian cantons more representation in national affairs.

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 continuous neutrality has put it, alongside Tonga and the R.T.F, put into a mediation role on the geopolitical stage.

Remarkably, the Alpine Confederation has -despite deeply friendly relations- refused to become part of the Atlantic Defense Community, the de facto successor organization of the NATO as the above-all law of everlasting neutrality is strongly honored by the Confederation Government since it has maintained its neutrality for over 100 years and does not want to stain their blood now.

This is kind of weakened in the face of the actual rising tensions with the perilously expansionist Sicilian Republic in the South. The Confederation 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 Grimaldi Royals of Monaco, Tuscany, Genoa, and the Venetians - the only Italian provinces openly opposing Sicily - to create an "Alpine Curtain" around the Italian Peninsula's northern borders - are advancing. This eventually became the Italian Peninsula Alliance on January 2nd, 2010, though Monaco declined to join, and San Marino asked to take their place and was accepted by the other members. The Confederation, while declining to fight directly in any war, quickly agreed to send weapons and Italians that had been training in the north to join the armies of the various Italian states to the south.

To the north, it has established aid stations and outposts along what had been Bavaria; with influence over the local survivor communities. It maintains "tentative" relations with the, although both states are becoming closer diplomatically.

Due to its position in Western/Central Europe, the government has offered the League of Nations the old U.N. facilities still operational in its territory.

Territories
The following neighbouring regions who have put themselves under Alpine protection are considered Alpine territory as well: However, the control of the Montblanc Massif has been contested in recent years by, who claims that as a successor to the French nation, they should have right to rule this land. As of 2010, the Confederation's sphere of influence on former Bavaria has developed into reconstruction efforts; with a potential plebisite to join the Confederation by 2020. The Hungarian and Czecoslovakian frontiers, outside the immediate environs of Bratislava/Pressburg and Sopron/Odenburg, remain closed, due to fallout and "security risks."

Government
The Alpine Confederation is governed by a newly constructed political system reflecting the unique Swiss history and the Austrian Federal System. Like before Doomsday, where the Swiss Confederation used cantons, the same is done, but an inclusion of "statelets" have been included. These are Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The statelets, although they are not represented in congressional meetings are mostly self-governing and administrative powers are evenly distributed to Bern, Genz, and Vaduz. From there, the states are divided into cantons. The cantons and states make up the level with higher rights than the statelets in the federal scene. These cantons/states are also represented in the Confederate Government unlike the states. The denominations for the Swiss cantons and Austrian states have been unchanged. Liechtenstein keeps up the monarchy and is otherwise integrated as a state into the Confederate System.

The Confederate Government focuses its activities on military, national security, foreign affairs and population's supply. Switzerland's long-held stance of Neutrality has likewise been adopted in a modified form; diplomacy is still favored over military action "as much as possible."

The government consists of a joint Confederation Council which is elected by the 'Rat der Konfoederation" and is changed regularly on defined dates, through a rotation of representatives from the component states.

The Confederation President has only ceremonial functions and no real power.

Economy
The economy of the Alpine Confederation relies on the financial sector for the most part, as the Swiss Banks were amongst the few to survive Doomsday. The Pilatus Aviation company is also a major exporter, supplying aircraft to various other nations. Recently, tourism has again become a major earner as global travel has slowly increased in recent years.

Military
The Alpine Military (Militia Alpina) is a mainly land-based force and follows the old Swiss Militia Structure which proved precious in maintaining 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 one of the best-equipped and best trained militaries in Western Europe, along with the military of the Celtic Alliance and the military of the Nordic Union. The Alpine Militia operates the same equipment the pre-DD Swiss Army used, alongside NATO equipment salvaged from Italy and West Germany. SIG Arms AG is a major manufactuer of firearms, while Pilatus Aircraft is a major supplier of military aircraft. The Military is one of only two militaries in the world (The other being that of North Germany) to operate the formidable Leopard Two MBT, considered by many to be the best tank in the world. The Air Corp operates three types of combat aircraft, these being the Dassualt Mirage III, the Northrop F-5E Tiger II and the Tornado IDS. Pilatus built PC-9s are also in service, as are Turbo-Porters built by the same company. The Navy, such as it is, operates a small number of corvettes and missile boats out the bases mentioned below.

One of the two naval bases is currently operated in Nizza-Monaco, jointly with ADC garrisons, and was only recently authorized in 2000 by the king of Monaco. The other major base is located in the city of Venice, another joint operation which in this case is undertaken with the Venetian Republic.

International relations
The Alpine Confederation is a member of the.