Russo-Arabian War (Principia Moderni IV Map Game)

The Russo-Arabian War was a conflict primarily between the Russian Empire and the Kingdom of Arabia and its allies. The conflict also resulted in or encompassed a number of regional conflicts as well, namely the concurrent Russo-Chinese War (1911 - 1914), which saw China invade Russia's Far East possessions in Asia, and the Alaskan War (1911 - 1913), a revolt in the Russian territory of Novorossiya (Alaska) which resulted in the territory gaining autonomy. The conflict also escalated tensions around the globe, becoming a catalyst to a later global conflict.

Throughout the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century the Russian Empire embarked on a period of modernization and expansion. Increased settlement of Siberia led to the rise of cities such as Tomsk, Tobolsk and Irktusk, while the military under Minister of Defense Igor Akinfeev saw Russia enter the naval arms race. In 1908 Russia tested their army against the nation of Pontus, quickly establishing a puppet state, and a foothold further into Anatolia. Two years later Russia launched an invasion of Artna, a vassal of the Kingdom of Arabia, likewise occupying the state. When Arabia's ultimatum to vacate the state was ignored, in 1911 Arabia formally declared war, followed by their ally Belka, immediately leading to a two front war in Anatolia and the Russo-Belkan border.

The ensuing conflict on both fronts saw warfare on an unprecedented scale, with new technological and industrial developments exacerbating military and civilian losses. In Anatolia Artna was liberated by Arabia and Belka in 1912, as well as parts of Pontus, before a costly stalemate developed in the Caucasus Mountains. Likewise the front in Moldavia remained relatively static, with Belka recapturing the city of Odessa after a successful Russian push, and occupying some parts of the border by the war's end. In the Pacific Alaska was captured after attacks spearheaded by Borealia, with Russia's protectorate Hawaii being captured in a joint assault by Belka and New Granada.

Despite the coalition's slight advantage toward the end of 1913, with a stalemate approaching peace negotiations began. The Treaty of Lelystad confirmed Arabia's ownership over the states of Anatolia in question, but aside from minor territorial changes the war largely resulted in a status quo ante bellum, with the coalition leaders, primarily Belka, unwilling to see a dismantling of Russia's empire, in the hopes of repairing relations with their neighbor in the future.