North Syria (21st Century Crisis)

The Kingdom of North Syria (Arabic: المملكة الشمالية سوريا, French: Le Royaume de Syrie du Nord) also known as North Syria (Arabic: شمال سوريا, French: Syrie du Nord) in short, is a constitutional monarchy located in the Middle East. It borders the Syrian Arab Republic to the south, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east and the Mediterranean Sea to the west.

Formed out of the Syrian Civil War in 2011 by members of the Ibn Saud family, North Syria has received high appraisal from the international community as one of the quickest most-developed nations ever since its founding. It has the 10th high GDP per capital in the world. Its government is based on a unique blend of Westminster-style government and traditional Arab values. North Syria encourages higher ties with the west, and has actively opened many American businesses in the country.

North Syria was regarded as one of the best living places in 2013. It is a member of several international entities including the Arab League, Arab Commonwealth, NATO, United Nations and G20.

History
The city of Aleppo, the capital of North Syria is one of the world's oldest-continually inhabited places. In 2008, a group of defects from Saudi Arabia sought to "change Syrian society for the better of the Levant". Fahad Abdul-Issam, a grand-nephew of late Saudi king Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and a member of the Otaibah tribe migrated to the Levant to help the Muslim brotherhood free northern Syria from Bashar al-Assad.

Despite help from the western powers and while Abdul-Issam did manage to give Assad's forces a blow, the northern coalition opposition armies were unable to handle the strength of Syria's army.

Fighting intensified in 2009, and a U.N. Conference was held in Beirut. The decision came to be known as Resolution 341 which determined that northern Syria would remain part of a unified state, but could maintain an autonomy of its own. Neither the Syrian government nor the rebels were pleased with this decision and fighting only worsened up to 2011.

A second conference was held, and Resolution 342 was passed, which allowed North Syria to finally gain its independence on March 4, 2011. Assad was pressured by the international community to remove his forces from the northern parts of Syria.

Fahad Abdul-Issam was determined to be the leader of the new state, and decided that a unique Arab government, modeled after the Westminster-style was best. Abdul-Issam was crowned the King of the new Kingdom of North Syria. An election was held to determine the new Prime Minster of

North Syria. Muhsin el-Hussein, of the Free Democratic Party won the election against Salim ibn Turki al-Anizzah of the Al-Nusra Front.

Over a span of four years, the new Kingdom's government began to actively promote a culture of peace and tolerance as well as high ties with the west. Despite promising North Syrian citizens' right to keep arms, King Fahad Abdul-Issam enacted the Peaceful Citizens Act, a gun confiscation program. His daughter, Crown Princess Razia bint Fahad was an instrumental role in this. The Peaceful Citizens Act not only banned all citizens from owning firearms, but also restricted ownership of blades and replica firearms.

For the newly-established North Syrian Army, the government also rid its inventory of Soviet-era weapons, and replaced all of it with American, British and French equipment.

Abdul-Issam encouraged western companies to open stores in North Syria, and launched a massive campaign to open American chains in North Syria. Razia bint Fahad encouraged student programs between North Syria, United States and the United Kingdom. As a result of the revolution in Turkey,

2013 saw a mass influx of Turkish migrants to North Syria's northern borders.

North Syria also attempted to create a basketball team to compete in the National Basketball Association, however this was unsuccessful due to the burdensome of time-zone differences between North Syria and the United States. However, Bilal Abdul-Majid, the head of the North Syrian National

Athletic Board stated that they are still trying work and make out an attempt.

Politics
The politics of North Syria contain a unique blend of Westminster and traditional Arab and Islamic values. North Syria is currently the only Arab nation, and non-English speaking country to adopt the Westminster style of government. North Syria has been hailed as the feat of democracy in the Middle East, other than Israel.

The King is the Head of the State, however he must consult and work together with the Prime Minister to pass laws. The King and the Prime Minister are both granted an equal say in government.

North Syria's legislature is divided between the Upper Court (Arabic: المحكمة العليا, French: Cour Supérieure) and the Lower Court (Arabic: محكمة أقل, French: Cour Basse). The Upper Court mostly consists of senior members, members of the Royal Family as well as people who inherit the position. The King is the Head of the Upper Court. The Lower Court on the other hand consists of chosen individuals, elected by the people. The Prime Minister is the Head of the Lower Court. The Upper Court has the power to make laws, the Lower Court reviews the laws and both courts work it out to ensure an accurate decision of whether a law should be passed or not. Theoretically a person may achieve membership in the Upper Court by marrying into the Royal Family.

There are two ways to become considered part of the Royal Family, and therefore be granted some title of royalty. One is either to be a descendant of the Abdul-Issam or the Ibn-Saud family, an inherited right. The other one is to marry a blood member of the Royal Family, whether male or female and professes Sunni Islam as their faith. The person will then become crowned, usually at the wedding unless there is an inability to do so. The crown's design can be up to the person's choosing, and is typically made of a mix of gold, silver and the person's birth stone.

All of North Syria's political buildings are located in the Royal Complex in Aleppo, the city's political enclave that functions in a similar way as Washington D.C., though it is considered part of the Aleppo Governerate. This includes the Royal Palace, the North Syrian National Law School, Parliament Capitol.

Military and law enforcement
North Syria contains a strong-standing and organized military and police force. It consists of the North Syrian Ground Forces, the Royal Air Force, the Royal North Syrian Navy, Special Forces, and the Royal Palace Guards.

North Syria's army is supplied by the United States, France, United Kingdom and Germany. North Syria currently ranks as the third most-militarily funded nation in the Middle East by the United States, second from Israel and Egypt. It is the second highest-funded Arab nation from Egypt.

Many of North Syria's military leaders are former members of the opposition militia that fought Bashar al-Assad's forces. The North Syrian Army is also unique in that it contains a wide variety of service men of different religions and ethnic groups. While Arabs are the dominants, there are a huge number of Turkish, Armenian and Kurdish-speaking members of the North Syrian Armed Forces.

The Palace Guards have a function that is a reminiscent of the Turkish Janissary from the late Ottoman Empire. They are mostly active in ceremonial events.

North Syria's military does extensive joint-operations with other existing militaries. They take part in NATO peacekeeping missions, as North Syria considers itself a faithful member of NATO.

North Syria does not contain local law enforcement, as it contains a national law enforcement group known as the North Syrian Homeland Defenses and Security. Their members are dispatched into local branches that operate in cities, towns and governerates.

Economy
The currency of North Syria is the North Syrian dinar. The currency is printed by the Royal North Syrian Mint, and the national bank that handles currency is the Royal Central Bank (Arabic: رويال بنك المركزي, French: Banque Royale Centrale).

North Syria contains a free-trade economy, and emphasizes friendly relations and high ties with the United States, France and United Kingdom. It is because of this that North Syria's economy has flourished in a time-span of four years.

The United States remains one of North Syria's biggest economic allies. Many American businesses, including Subway, Shell, McDonald's and Burger King operate in North Syria. Many American car companies also operate in North Syria such as Ford.

North Syria currently exports oil, gold, natural resources and electronics.

Languages
Currently, Arabic and French are the two official state languages of North Syria. While Arabic is the national language of prayers and national anthems, French is a working language. French is a very popular language especially by those in law school and law enforcement programs.

North Syrian Arabic, a Levantine dialect is the main traditional vernacular of Arabic spoken in North Syria. However, Hejazi Arabic is also widely spoken, especially by members of the royal family. Shahidi Arabic is spoken by the Banu Shahid tribe, an Arab Christian group living in the mountains. North Syria is also diverse in its culture, and because its government promotes multiculturalism. Currently, North Syria is home to speakers of Assyrian, Armenian, Circassian, Kurdish, Turkish and even Hebrew, specifically Yemenite Hebrew. Schools catering to people speaking these languages exist, where many Turkish-speaking schools operate in northern North Syria.

Because of North Syria's open market, there have been an influx of South Asian migrants, resulting in new communities of Hindi and Urdu-speakers.

Religion
Sunni Islam accounts for 80% of North Syria's population. While Sunni Islam is the state religion, Freedom of Religion is a right of North Syrian citizens and part of North Syria's Royal Constitution, specifically Article Two. While the King is traditionally a Muslim and an Arab, the Prime Minister can be of any faith.

Because of this law, North Syria is also home to Shia, Druze, Christian, Jewish and Yezidi communities which account for the other 20%.

Of the Christians in North Syria, 40% belong to the Greek Orthodox Church, 20% to the Maronite Catholic Church. The others include Armenian Orthodox, Chaldean Catholic Church, Greek Melkite and Roman Catholic.

Women's Rights
North Syria has been praised for implementing equality for women. Women are granted as much political influence and power as men. Queen Consort Turkia for example, is the Head of the Department of Religious Affairs. Crown Princess Razia bint Fahad has beena driving force in North Syrian history, helping King Fahad implement his policies. Salma Abdul-Sahib al-Zahrani is the current Chief Colonel of the Special Forces of the North Syrian Forces.

Sports
Football (soccer) is North Syria's most popular sport. Among others include cricket and basketball. North Syria is home to the Aleppo Star, its national team represented in FIFA and other international football competitions. Sports in North Syria are handled and regulated by the North Syrian National Athletic Board (Arabic: مجلس رياضي الوطني السوري الشمالية) or the NSNAB.

The National Football Organization (NFO) is North Syria's most popular sports organization. Each major city is represented. Basketball is another popular sport in North Syria. The Royal Basketball Federation (RBF) is North Syria's national basketball organization, and like the NFO, each major city is represented. The RBF's rules are modeled after the American NBA's. Because of an RBF and NBA partnership deal, teams from the NBA and RFB often compete in the NBA's preseason games.

Because of North Syria's embracing of United States, the NSNAB tried to create a North Syrian basketball team that would compete in the American NBA. However, this was unsuccessful because the NSNAB and the NBA both ruled the the complications and burden of different time zones would create hefty costs flight tickets, and this would prevent any North Syrian team from competing in an 82-game season.

Foreign relations
Foreign relations of North Syria are managed by the North Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Arabic: وزارة السورية شمال الشؤون الخارجية, French: Nord Syrienne Ministère des Affaires Ètrangères) or the NSMFA. The NSMFA is headed by Abdul-Issam's younger brother Crown Prince Mustafa Abdul-Issam.

United States
The United States is one of North Syria's biggest allies, which has earned it the reputation of being the United States' third biggest ally in the Middle East. The United States aided the North Syrian militias in gaining independance from the Syrian Arab Republic, and to this day still supplies North Syria's military. North Syria's economy depends largely on American activity. Many sports agencies in North Syria have also wanted to integrate into American sports organizations, such as the NBA. According to a poll, about 81% of North Syrians viewed Americans in a positive light. Barack Obama has praised North Syria on many levels, including their doctrine on cultural diversity. United States and North Syria have many student exchange programs. North Syrian and American soldiers work actively together on the the war against terrorism. On September 3, 2014 Michelle Obama made a state visit to meet and greet Queen Consort Turkia. Many North Syrian students, some being dual citizens are partake in gun control rallies in the United States, and join American-Islamic organizations to stop slandering of Muslim-Americans. Razia bint Fahad was instrumental in a movement such as this, in which she owns many humanitarian and youth programs in the United States to encourage growth among the Muslim-American youth. The United States has an embassy in Aleppo, and North Syria contains embassies in Chicago, Washington D.C., New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas and Houston.

Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is North Syria's biggest Middle Eastern ally, which stems from the fact that the Royal Family are members of the Ibn Saud clan. Saudi Arabia was one of the many Arab nations to support Abdul-Issam's fight against Bashar al-Assad. Saudi Arabia also has a program that funds North Syrians to go on the hajj to Mecca. Saudi bussiness magnate Al-Waleed bin Talal does extensive bussiness in North Syria, including building another Palace there.

France
France was also an active supporter of Abdul-Issam's war against Bashar al-Assad, and the North Syrian monarchy contains many ties to France. France also supplies the North Syrian armed forces in terms of their equipment. Student programs between France and North Syria also exist, in order to ensure co-existance among the two nations. France's language, French, is North Syria's second official state language aside from Arabic which contributes to the reason for the existance of North Syrian students to France via North Syria's French study international study programs. State visits between North Syrian and French politicians is very common. France is also a member of NATO.

United Kingdom
The North Syrians adopted their style of government from the United Kingdom. Prior to North Syria's establishment, Abdul-Issam had visited England and taken advise from British lawmakers and law students, the majority being British Muslims. Queen Elizabeth II praised North Syria for adopting British influence, and made a state visit to Aleppo in 2013. She was among the many leaders that visited on February 19, 2015 to mourn the terrorist attacks on Aleppo in February 14, 2015. King Abdul-Issam visited London on a state visit on March 4, 2015 in which he recited, "Allah Save the Queen" in Arabic.

Turkey
Turkey funded Abdul-Issam as well. North Syria and Turkey view each other very positively, as Turkey had been an active supporter of the Syrian rebels. North Syria shares borders with southern Turkey to the north. As a result, North Syria's northern borders is home to Turkish-speaking communities. As a result of the short-lived violence in Turkey, North Syria became home to many Turkish refugees that were given citizenships as refugees. Turkish Independance Day is celebrated in northern North Syria, and is actively encouraged by the North Syrian Parliament. Turkey is a strategic partner of North Syria, in that both are members of NATO and both Turkish and North Syrian soldiers work together on counter-terrorism operations. This is aided by the fact that many North Syrian soldiers in northern North Syria are native Turkish-speakers. North Syrian and Turkish soldiers also engage in recreational shooting and combat-training exercises. Turkey is also an economic partner, in that it is a main exporter of lokum to North Syria. In 2012, a monument was built, known as the Turkish-North Syrian Friendship Park (Arabic: التركية شمال الصداقة بارك السورية, Turkish: Türk-Kuzey Suriye Dostluk Parkı, French: Turquie-Syrienne du Nord parc amitié) which ecompasses the North Syrian town of R'as al-Ayn and the Turkish town of Ceylanpınar. Under both North Syrian and Turkish supervision, free-border crossings are allowed in the park.

Syria
Relations between North Syria and the Syrian Arab Republic have been complicated and tension-filled. After North Syria's independance, the two Levantine countries continued to war until the U.N. pressure Bashar al-Assad to withdraw. A block on all relations was implemented immedietly, while Fahad Abdul-Issam claims that the North Syrians had the victory, Bashar al-Assad claims that they were still at war, which came to a temporary halt. Though there have been talks that North Syria and the Syrian Arab Republic may re-open relations. Bashar al-Assad negatively criticized Fahad Abdul-Issam's gun confiscation program, calling it the grassroots of tyranny.

Russia
North Syria and Russia have extremely negative relations. King Fahad had fought the Soviets during the Cold War, training Afghan militants to fight the Soviet armies. The Royal Family has criticized what they consider to be Russian persecution against Islam. Currently, Russia does not recognize or approve of North Syria's independance and therefore has no embassies in North Syria. The Russians aided Bashar al-Assad's regime and his forces during the Syrian Civil War. Crown Princess Razia bint Fahad called Vladimir Putin the next perpuator of World War III. King Fahad stated that he would be more than willing to take in Chechen refugees if they suffered too much persecution in Russia. In May of 2014 Abdul-Issam stated his support for military intervention against Russian soldiers in Ukraine and supports Petro Poroshenko's regime. The North Syrian parliament also stated that the Kingdom's armed forces will be more than ready to answer the call should there ever be military action against Russia. Abdul-Issam said, "I stopped the Russians before in Afghanistan, I can stop them in Ukraine. Russia fears us, NATO can annihilate Russia any time."

Israel and Palestinians
King Fahad Abdul-Issam states that he rejects Israel, but won't wage war against them or focus too much again them. He said, "It's a simple answer, I reject Israel. I don't reject Jews, I love Jews, we have Jews here in North Syria and they are People the Book. I reject Zionism, because of what they do to my people, the Arab people. It's a simple answer but I'm not going to spend my life rejecting them. The time for that will come when it's time, but I have a country and a Kingdom to rule."

King Fahad took in about 300 Palestinian refugees in 2014 as a result of Israel's operation in the Gaza Strip.

Iraq
Iraq and North Syria have bitter-sweet relations and in a four-year time time span, the two nations have fought two wars. Iraq has an embassy in Aleppo, and North Syria has an embassy in Baghdad. While King Fahad states that he recognizes ISIS as a threat, he also criticizes the Iraqi government for giving its citizens AK-47s, which he claims encourages people to join militant groups like ISIS. Razia bint Fahad said, "These people at ISIS, they obviously don't stand for Islam. They stand for their own death cult, and every Muslim knows this. At the same time, Iraq's government is putting AK-47s in people's homes, where weapons don't belong. So they're asking for it. The Iraqi government needs to disarm all of its citizens first."

Members of the Iraqi Armed Forces, back-criticized Princess Razia, stating that she is as equal of a threat as ISIS itself by promoting an un-armed and helpless society. Abdul-Issam had supported the American war on Iraq in 2004.

In 2012 however, the Abdul-Issam University in Aleppo and Baghdad University opened up an international program for students from both to visit each other's nations for historical studies.

However in spring of 2013, things took an ugly turn when North Syria invaded western Iraq due to North Syrian suspicion of Iraqi military buildups near its eastern borders as well as the Iraqi army's capturing of North Syrians in Baghdad. This took a strain of relations between the two, and Iraqi guards refused to guard the North Syrian embassy in Baghdad.

In September of 2014, Iraq declared war against North Syria, and the two nations' armies fought a nine-day war.

Iraq generally favors more cooperations and ties with the Syrian Arab Republic. King Fahad states that while this disappoints him, he's not going to stop the Iraqis from carrying forth their political wishes. Iraq also serves as a mediator between North Syria and the Syrian Arab Republic. Secret talks between North Syrian and Syrian politicians take place in Baghdad.

India
North Syria is a popular place to study for foreign students from India. The Indian government has shown its support for the opposition during the Syrian Civil War, many Indian Muslim volunteers even served under Abdul-Issam's forces. In fact, North Syria ranks as the third most favorite destination for both Indian foreign exchange students and tourists alike, and even migrants, with the other two nations being Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Many members of the Palace Guard are also Indians. There have been growing new communities of Hindi and Urdu-speakers, mostly migrants from Mumbai. Aleppo is home to many Indian and South Asian restaurants. There are also many cultural events for the Indian expatriate community in North Syria.

Pakistan
Despite that Pakistan is a Muslim country, and that Islam is felt in Pakistani politics, North Syria and Pakistan have negative relations. North Syria has an embassy in Islamabad and Pakistan has an embassy in Aleppo. North Syrian politicians have frequently criticized Pakistan for being a nation of terrorists. King Fahad and Princess Razia have also attacked the way Pakistan has a gun culture, especially its decision to arm teachers in the wake of the Peshawar attacks. Despite this, there are also Pakistani expatriate communities in North Syria, and they maintain friendly relations and high ties with Indian expatriate communities.