Belarus (1983: Doomsday)

The is a federation of city-states based within the borders of the former Byelorussian SSR.

History
On Doomsday, the Byelorussian SSR lost its capital, Minsk, to an American nuclear missile. The rest of the republic escaped attack but was inundated by refugees from Russia, Ukraine, and the Baltic States. The remaining cities of the republic asserted their independence, securing as much surrounding territory as possible and closing themselves off to the surrounding chaos. Quickly, however, the states realized the futility of braving the storm separately and began to band together. In September 1990, on the seventh anniversary of Doomsday, the city-states combined into the Federal Democratic Republic of Belarus. The city of Babruysk was chosen as the capital of the federation. For the next decade and a half, the central government focused its efforts on coordinating survival efforts. In 2005, contact with the outside world was established in the form of a radio signal originating in Navapolatsk that was picked up by the Nordic Union. Within the next four years, Belarus had made contact with the Celtic Alliance, the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand, and the South American Confederation.

Government and Politics
Belarus is divided into 25 territories, consisting of the city-states and their surrounding lands. The central government consists of the Council of Presidents of the Territories, which elects a chairman from among its ranks every four years. Each city-state is a constitutional republic with a semi-presidential system. All of the city-states have undergone democratization since attaining independence after Doomsday, though Communism has been relentlessly suppressed due to the legacy of the Soviet era and Doomsday.

Economy
The economy of Belarus is still largely agrarian, dependent on the farmlands outside the city-states. Agriculture took a hit after Doomsday due to fallout, though it has largely recovered.

Energy is of a prime concern to the Byelorussian government. A large hydroelectric energy project has been put into motion, and alternative energy sources for motor vehicles have been promoted. Still, there are many citizens who shun dependence on modern technology, feeling that such dependence led to the tragedy of Doomsday.

International Relations
Belarus is not a member of the League of Nations. They have considered joining, but they know that the Siberians would block any attempts at national recognition. Plus, many Byelorussian politicians have criticized the League for advancing the ANZC's territorial claim to the Cocos Islands, citing the controversy as proof that the LoG lacks objectiveness in international affairs. SAC diplomatic approaches have also been rejected, for the Byelorussian government has said it refuses to play a part in what it calls the "Second Cold War."