Why does Alcovia use non-Russian Vehicles?

The real answer is model availability. Most miniatures ranges have yet to catch up to even the 90s. So I filled in blanks with hardware from other nations. This lead to some cool narrative (reason two).

The optional vehicles I chose started with the French VBL because there were no Russin Tigr or Otokar Cobras available in 15mm. This then created a narrative where Alcovia was upgrading the electronics on its Russian tanks with French electronics, similar to the Czechs. This then led me to deciding that Alcovia was phasing out its aging Russian helos moving from Hinds and Hips to Eurocopter Tigers purchased from the French.

This ends up giving Alcovia a very unique personality as a monarchy trying to move out from the shadow of its former Soviet/Russian neighbors to become a mare NATO like nation.

What Happened to the Crisis?

 

When I started writing this blog, so many years ago, I wanted to create a modern conflict in the vein of the other imagi-nations I had seen but with a more serious take. To this end, I tried to tell the story of a nation falling into civil unrest along real issues of inequity, prejudice, as well as social and economic disparity. the goal was never to glorify these things, but to make the story believable. So, why did it never take off over all those years.

If you are familiar with the blog you will have seen early on that I struggled to find the models that I wanted. A lot of this was simply due to my limited hobby budget but I also found myself perpetually vexed by holes in the inventories of the various producers. Much of the latter stemmed from my desire to keep Alcovia rooted in the modern world and not just another imagi-nation built around 1970s Soviet equipment. This was a problem as most miniatures producers still had their ranges firmly entrenched in the early Cold War with nothing past the mid 80s available.

This is partially my own fault for not developing a project using what was available but as I started the project as 1/72 (20mm) it was less an issue than it ended up being when I later shifted to 15mm scale. You see, the model ranges were a bit more up to date in 20mm than they were in 15mm but I was having a hard time finding infantry, which seemed more important at the time and Eureka had released its 15mm for Chechnya. This, combined with the fact that most of my terrain was in 15mm made me jump to 15mm.

Model selection was not the only boogie man that caused the Alcovia project to stagnate. Budget has always been an issue and over the years that budget got smaller and smaller until I was forced, more often than not, to put my hobby dollars toward my main hobbies with little or nothing left over for Alcovia. Then the biggest blow to Alcovia came along.

In 2014 Russia annexed Crimea and kicked off the Russo-Ukrainian War. Suddenly Alcovia was not something that felt, possible and inspired by the past, but became very present and very real. The images I was searching and using to illustrate the various stories of Alcovia had a new lens applied and it made me uncomfortable to use them. Even if the images were from conflicts past, they were still a stark reminder of what was happening at that moment to people in the same part of the world that my fictional nation was supposed to be set it. It wasn't something I could reconcile and so I sort of parked Alcovia in the "someday lot".

In 2016 I started to see a lot of useful vehicles coming out of Battlefront for their Team Yankee game, but still budget plagued my process and in 2020 a miracle occurred as the company released the T-80U, a tank I had wanted to have since the project began (I had four in 1/72). Still though, COVID hit, prices on things went up and household finances dropped hobby budget to nearly nothing. 

That then brings us to the specter of reality that had haunted my thoughts on Alcovia before. The Ukraine is under full invasion now. The devastation this time around is insane and it really leaves me with absolutely no heart in recreating an all too similar conflict in my imaginary country that bears far too close a resemblance to the very real Ukraine. My heart is with the people of that country and I can't bring myself to blog about Alcovia in the way I had in the past.

So, where does this leave Alcovia?

This year, my wife and I are moving to a new home in a new state. We are both leaving behind the place we grew up but we are moving on to a better life for ourselves. We will own a home, live in a place with a cost of living more inline with our income and near friends and family. I will have a large space to dedicate to the hobby and gaming and maybe, just maybe, a bit of a budget to devote to it.

I still have other hobbies and Alcovia will always be a side project but the stars do seem to be aligning with more modern models becoming a thing and 3D printing adding to the availability of models. I have refined Alcovia over the years and taken them from a nation that uses exclusively Russian hardware to a country that is taking advantage of the weapons manufacturers of the European Union. This not only makes filling the holes in the model roster easier, it also make the military of Alcovia look like its own thing. 

I think the future of Alcovia will be to focus on the hobby aspects and to put on hold the world-building that seems to be just a bit too topical at this time. Maybe when I am feeling better about it, I will kick Alcovia back off with a new crisis. There are several neighboring imagi-nations such as Iqenistan, Elistonia and Theogia. Maybe, a war with one of these imaginary countries is in Alcovia's future. After all, I doubt Alcovia was gripped in its civil war for the last 12 years. 

Thank you all for you interest and fandom. It still amazes me when I hear that other people have used my setting for their own games. 

Alcovia Forever, 

-Eli

Holy Crap! Somebody Finally made them

 T-80Us coming out from Battlefront.

After nearly a decade waiting for somebody to make the T-80U somebody has finally done it and that somebody is Battlefront Miniatures. 

When Battlefront announced their Team Yankee range it looked like we were about to get another range of the same 1980s vehicles and infantry, helos and planes we had been getting pretty much since the Cold War was a real thing. QRF, Old glory, Skytrex, Qualtiy Castings, everyone who had been pumping out the same Cold War era stuff just seemed to never budge beyond this point.

I pleased my case with nearly every manufacturer that would listen, and was pretty much given the same answer (which didn't really make sense), that they were sticking to vehicles that had been used in real wars. This argument is a fair one, though it fails to be honest with itself when you consider how many of the vehicles in some of those ranges hardly ever saw service outside frontline Soviet forces and how rarely those forces were engaged. 

One of the main reasons for making models of leading edge military hardware is to allow players to play what-if scenarios like Team Yankee which has been at the forefront of mainstream public awareness of Cold War based what-ifs for a long time. The existence of evolved T-72s and T-80s in existing ranges would seem to acknowledge this basic concept as well which makes the argument of not producing later vehicles because they "weren't used" even stranger. Later model T-80s and other former Soviet hardware were indeed used in the aftermath of the Cold War and were developed during and for it. This includes the T-80U which was used in the Chechen conflicts (and used as a scapegoat for Russia's failure their) which makes them actually better used than some of the earlier T-80 variants.

I am glad Battlefront recognized that there was room for a newer T-80 variant in the market. the bonus is that we get them in nice modern plastic kits.

  

Is There Still a Crisis in Alcovia?

Since the declaration of a cease fire in 2012, the kingdom of Alcovia has remained in a tenuous state of peace which has been called an "Civil Cold War" by many analysts and politicians alike. There has been no official declaration of peace and the nation is still divided between west and east with a recognized demilitarized zone splitting the nation to 2/1, west to east, ratio. 

Eastern Alcovia is strictly held by the rebel factions and the many militias that have risen up to support them and while the official government recognizes this border for the sake of peace during the cease fire, there have been no official talks of any sort of recognized official partitioning of the nation. More over, the rebels under General Kusatya have expressed absolute conviction for the overthrow of the Alcovian crown, its nobility and the standing government. King Ullo has stated that he will fight rebellion in all its forms should the rebels resume their open hostilities. 

In the northeastern region of Slavikova, open fighting between militias is common and there are concerns that rebel militia factions in the region are being supported by outside factions, possibly Russian. Russia has denied these allegations, countering with supposed evidence that CIA and former KGB agents have been attempting to destabilize the region, though they declined to provide any rationale for such an endeavor. What is true is that the region is a hotbed of activity where very little can be done, by national or rebel military forces alike, to curtail the fighting. 

During the cease fire, UN activity has increased with several refugee camps having been established on both sides of the Borka river where the majority of the refugees are ethnic Iqenis who are being forced out of eastern Alcovia not by the official rebel forces but by hostile militias who are using the region's instability to act on generations of ethnic prejudice and resentment toward those ethnic Iqeni who are native to the region and those who settled in later decades. Offcial Alcovian government response to this "cleansing" has been in opposition of the acts but lack of control over the region has made it impossible to act on these oppositions without threatening the cease fire.

Outrage in neighboring Iqenistan and local Iqeni populations was recently fueled when earlier UN findings that refuted claims of executions and death squads were themselves refuted by the discovery of several mass burials of mostly ethnic Iquenis. To date an estimated 250 bodies have been discovered in such mass graves throughout eastern Alcovia. When asked for a statement, a spokesperson for the Alcovian Ministry of the Interior had the following to say - 

"The Alcovian Peoples' Army has resisted all requests by official government authorities to investigate these killings. These crimes are being perpetrated by Alcovian citizens against its own citizens and are the responsibility of the legitimate authorities, to be investigated by those authorities and to bring to justice the perpetrators of these crimes under Alcovian royal justice. It is our position that, until the APA allows official investigation of these crimes, they will be considered complicit in those crimes."

There are those among the international community that see the region as a smoldering fuse that could flare up at any moment and explode the country into open warfare. Royal forces retain their vigilant stance along the demilitarized border between east and west while rebel forces struggle to maintain their own front, despite shortages of fuel, ammunition and a crumbling infrastructure. 

In the end, it may be time that decides this conflict, but at this time there is still very much a crisis in Alcovia.

New Battlefront Cold War Tanks on the Horizon

Battlefront previewed newer T-55 AM2 models. This is something I have been hoping to find for the Alcovia project.

Armies Army Makers

A New Idea From Armies Army

Armies Army has been a powerhouse of 15mm vehicle and figure design for some time now. Mostly a manufacturer of 15mm science fiction models, Keith has recently started working with Cold War era machines and troops and has now taken his first steps toward a very cool idea in helping out other up and coming designers. He starts this out with Ben Kerr Barnes' Gaz Tigr in 15mm

The Gaz Tigr is a high mobility 4x4 infantry vehicle with a role comparable to that of the US HMMWV. This vehicle entered service in 2006 with the Russian Army, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Naval Infantry, and has been exported to a number of countries including China. It has been seen recently with Russian infantry in Syria and again in large numbers in Crimea. The standard vehicle can carry 9 passengers with the option of fighting from roof hatches and hinged ballistic windows.

According to Keith, he's waiting for the the master to get to him but says that it looks good for molding. Hopefully we will have this proper, modern Russian vehicle in our hands soon.

Check out the progress of the kit and all other Armies Army products at...

https://www.facebook.com/ArmiesArmy/?fref=ts

Finally Getting Somewhere - New Minis

Over the last year or so, Crisis in Alcovia has taken a back burner to other projects. After abandoning the 20mm angle, I have been waiting for certain ranges of miniatures to start to mature, mainly Eureka's modern Russians.

Not only have I acquired some of these finally, I have also received a number of QRF Cold War era Russians that should make for a fine contract between acovian forces loyal to the crown and with newer equipment and rebel forces that are made up from units with older equipment (one of their main gripes).

I figures these, along with some converted Peter Pig militia types should make for the basics of infantry elements for the Alcovian Civil War. I have added some Khurasan Miniatures Somali militia types to these. They are a bit differently scaled but will work as militia elements on their own. They are really nice and will be painted as ethnic Iqenis.

Last, but definitely not the least, are some of Khurasan's new T-90 tanks. While a lot more recent than the hardware, I had planned to use in the Alcovian conflict, these will represent secret weapons of the crown, issued to elite bodyguard regiments.

I have also picked up some VBLs from IrishSerb. These are great little resin kits and while they are French, they do not look out of place next to Russian hardware. Alcovia purchased a bunch from France's export market. I picked these because nobody makes an Otokar Cobra or any of the other newer Eastern "jeeps".

I'll post more pics as I get things painted. 

-Eli

Alcovia Receives Bongolesian Dignataries

Karina Lotsacrop, representative of the University of Alcovia, Department of Human Studies speaks with the head of the Bongolesian security detail, JaJa Binku.

Today, at a discrete air field in western Alcovia, a military transport plane was received by a small group of civilian and government authorities. After a brief discussion between cultural attaches and the Bongolesian security detail, the diplomatic team was lead to a water motorcade where they were sped off to an undisclosed location, presumably to meet with King Ullo Chubakov, who had recently returned to seclusion after numerous threats were made on his person.

Early details indicate that Ambassador W'astsit T'uyoo an his staff are settling in nicely to their diplomatic quarters and are being treated to the highest level of Alcovian hospitality. This evening's welcome dinner is reported to include a meal of Alcovian wild boar and eels.

Alcovia to Host African Diplomats

Head of the Bongolesian delegation, W'atsit T'uyoo

Surprising developments in Alcovia.

After years of resistance to foreign intercession in the ongoing civil war, the Alcovian office of Internal Affairs has accepted an offer from the African nation of Bongolesia and will receive a diplomatic envoy with the intentions of allowing them to sit in on talks between National and rebel leaders. 

Bongolesia, often criticized as the playground of a tyrant and a center for corruption and bush politics, seems an unlikely candidate for peace mediation. However, considering the Alcovian King's mistrust of European politics and desire to keep both Russia and the united States out of his country's affairs, a small, independent nation seated an ocean away may not be as odd a choice as it might seem. 

The office of Internal Affairs released this quite from the initial communication sent by Bongolesia, 

"Bongolesian Foreign Affairs Experat and Tip-Top Diplomat, W'atsit T'uyoo and his staff are ready to make haste to Alcovia, to show our friends that we can help and when we help, EVERYBODY can get some...We come in peace and look forward to doing our bestest on the world stage of international feel goods..."

Very positive and energetic words from the characteristically bombastic nation.

Internal Cold War - The Silent Crisis in Alcovia

3/4/2014

 

 

While scenes such as this have become more common since the cease fire was declared a little over two years ago, one must remind oneself that Alcovia is STILL a nation at war.

Peaceful as it may seem, the conflict that ravaged this once quiet Balkan nation still simmers under a last enmity that is maintained across no firmly entrenched lines of demarcation. Neither The Crown or the self-appointed Alcovian People's Army (APA) have made any declaration of a further peace and as time passes, each side of this conflict seems to get ever more committed to their respective mission.

 

 

While cleanup and reconstruction continue throughout the nation, pockets of armed forces both officially sanctioned and militia alike maintain positions, take possession of supplies and material. Shots still ring out in the night as armed gunmen patrol neighborhoods and patrols of soldiers weed out their rivals' insurgent forces. Add to this the continued and growing unrest among the ethnic Iqeni population in the East who are under ever increasing scrutiny coupled with bigotry and abuse by Alcovian nationals who, now unfettered from royal decree have little to keep them from acting on their agendas of sovereignty and racial purity.

 

 

This has signaled a call to arms for Iqenis who have no choice but to defend themselves. This in turn has drawn the attention of the government of Iqenistan, east across the Borka river and UN officials. Continued reports of crimes targeting ethnic Iqeni citizens in Alcovia continue to make their way across the Borka and into the hand of the UN who, to this date, have still been granted only the most basic access to Alcovian soil. One claim of mass graves found in the northeastern marshes was discounted as the bog mummified remains of earlier conflicts between Alcovia nd its Iqeni neighbors. While the report was accepted, based on photographic evidence, by UN inspectors, Iqenis still remain skeptical, fearing collusion or fraud.

 

 

 

A recent interview with Alcovia's Minsiter of Internal Affairs revealed that the king has grown concerned over recent events in the Ukraine. Russians interference in the sovereignty of that nation only serves to reinforce the king's fears that outside involvement in Alcovian affairs would be detrimental to the kingdom's continued independence. Russia had already voiced concerns over Alcovian instability in the first years of the civil war, even being complicit in backing an attempted breakaway by Alcovia's northern most region, Slavikova. While that break away was quelled and no direct Russian involvement was proven, Russian did maintain its position of maintaining stability in the region. Most recently, this concern for stability was expressed by an increase in credit for military exports to Alcovia from Russian arms industries.

 

 

 

For now, the world's eyes are off of Alcovia as the crisis in the Ukraine grows ever more intense. Hope holds that after two years of relative peace, the Wolf of the Balkans will, once more, slumber...





UN Finds No Sign of War Crimes - Ethnic Iqenis Protest

Rioting in eastern Alcovian cities today, where ethnic Iqeni citizens and rebel supporters protested the announcement of the UN findings.

According to UN inspectors, there is nothing to suggest any illegal activity on the part of the Alcovian government forces against either military personnel or civilians. In particular, they stated clearly, that there was definitely nothing to even suggest any sort of targeted attacks on any particular ethnicity and that all evidence produced could not be tied to actions on the part of the monarchy or its military forces. 

Spokespersons for the Iqeni population of Alcovia disputed these findings in public address over local radio broadcasts as well as in public forums. These addresses are being held responsible for today's violence that exploded in several cities and towns across eastern Alcovia as well as towns and settlements further toward the center of the nation. Iqeni national news has reported the riots as a cry of pain and horror at the plight of its natives living abroad.

In several clashes with both military and civilian authorities, ethnic Iqenis took to the streets carrying signs and shouting slogans such as the popular, "Iqeni Murder, Alcovian Lies!" In many situations APA rebel forces were forced to defend themselves from the very people they had been fighting for as hotter heads prevailed and lines were drawn along ethnic lines rather than political agendas.

Casualties have been reported and both military and civilians are reporting deaths and countless injuries attributed to the violence. Property damage is also being declared as substantial with many fires tearing through overcrowded eastern Alcovian border settlements. 

World Peace Organizations Declare Bad Form

3/29/2013 

World peace watch dogs criticized the Alcovian monarchy today over the delivery of new weapons and munitions during the ongoing cease fire which has now last much longer than had originally been expected. While the government asserts that the weapons delivery, which has been identified as a number of new Russian built T-90 main battle tanks, was already ordered well before the outbreak of hostilities between the national and rebel forces.

"The procurement of new weapons and munitions for the defense of our nation has always been an ongoing concern of the monarchy. The equipment that was delivered was part of this ongoing process and the date of delivery was something arranged at a time when there was no war." - Vice Minister of Defense of Pavel Oshetski.

Sources from eastern Alcovia say that these tanks had originally been set for delivery much earlier and were to have been deployed in eastern Alcovia along the Alcovia/Iqenistan border. Had this original delivery date been kept, the new advanced tanks would likely now be operating in rebel formations. Instead, the delayed delivery will place the tanks in the still loyal, national units. Whether or not the delayed delivery was intentional and employed as a precaution against early rumblings of rebellion has not been verified. It is also worth noting, that poor supply and aging equipment was one of the main reasons cited by the APA rebels for their defection.

King Ullo Allows U.N. Inspectors

During the long cease fire in the still ongoing Alcovian Civil War there have been increasing pressures from outside governments to allow foreign observers into the country. 

The stated goal has always been to allow the international community the opportunity to guarantee there are no human rights violations and that both sides of the conflict are conducting themselves within the boundaries of  legal warfare practices under international law and treaty. This, however, has never seemed enough for the Alcovian government which has claimed the sanctity of sovereignty at every turn.

The change in position of the government seems to have been a direct result of increased claims, by the rebel leadership, of criminal activities committed by national forces in rebel controlled territories. Alcovian leadership decided to challenge these claims the best way they could and petition the U.N. for an inspection of these regions in Eastern Alcovia. U.N. officials agreed and have sent several teams of inspectors of a non-military nature and without U.N. -provided escorts. 

During their inspection tour, U.N. representatives have taken numerous opportunities to speak with local commanders, government representatives and civilian authorities in an attempt to raise a "presence of peace" among those involved in and affected by the Alcovian Civil War. While these off the record discussions have been looked upon with suspicion, no direct action has been taken to prevent them. One U.N. team member was quoted as saying, "It would seem that Alcovians are interested in peace, even if they are not ready to lay down their weapons."

While most of the inspection has been routine with little to report in the way of the proposed violations, a team visiting the city of Ubecha - along the Borka river - was treated to the grizzly display of a collection of severed limbs (shown here wrapped up after collection). Local ethnic Iqenis claim that these are the grim results of a recent terror raid conducted by Royal Special Forces that specifically targeted civilians of that particular ethnicity. They cited several such raids conducted during hostilities in the 1970s as support for these claims, however there remains no concrete evidence to support these accusations. 

The U.N. plans to continue inspections for the remainder of the year, having been given an exit date of January 1, 2013.

Flags!

A friend recently did up some flags for modern Alcovia. While I'm trying to tweak the designs a bit, these are really good so far and I think capture the feel of the nation quite well...

The first set above was amended with a few more Eastern European bits of flavor to the flags below. I personally like the revised flags. the artist really did a nice job and even included distressed versions.

New Recruits Arrive - 15mm QRF Russians

Thanks to a wonderful net buddy, I am now 64 15mm Russians richer. This gent, kind enough to send me these troops for the price of shipping, has given me a big push into getting the 15mm version of Alcovia going.

While I wait for Eureka and, hopefully, Pole Bitwy get their 15mm modern Russians and Chechens out, I'm planning on painting these cold War era Russians as the sorts of second line troops that make up the bulk of the rebel army in the Alcovian civil war. A few simple conversions should also close the generational gap, but as Alcovia is certainly not Russia, it is easy to imagine they still have some older gear around. Heck, even Russia doesn't have its whole army modernized.

As reward for his kind donation to the cause, I shall be converting a command figure into the donater's likeness as the rebel commander Jonaz Keprozchi (a play on the fellow's real name).

So, thank you to the kind soul who sent the new recruits!

-Eli

Police Raids Continue in Western Alcovia

June 22, 2012

In a continuation of the increased police activities in western Alcovian cities that followed the May 23 attack on a very public benefit concert, Internal Security forces have made an astounding 32 additional arrests of individuals either confirmed as or suspected of being members of various militia, terrorist and even activism groups.

Though not all are believed to be directly involved in the attack, Alcovian national authorities are not taking any chances and a general sweep has been ordered to either remove or confine any known or suspected threats against internal stability in the still mostly-peaceful west of the nation. It is feared, should such elements be allowed to operate unchecked even under surveillance, that such elements could bring open fighting.

The large scale police action has not been without its detractors both locally and abroad as some see such board use of police powers as an affront to personal and civil liberties. The Alcovian government has answered these concerns by making it very clear that Alcovia is still a benevolent nation with the safety of its people and preservation of peace as its primary motivations. Civil rights organizations around the world have protested and insisted that Alcovia maintain due process and fair standards when dealing with its own civilian population.

What is being protested most are those individuals that are taken without any direct connection to known terrorist or militia activities and/or without any past record of such activities. Amnisty International has began to work with UN member states to pressure them to intervene on behalf of the Alcovian people, however with King Ullo's absolute ban on direct foreign involvement on Alcovian soil, there is little that can be done by government forces of any nation that would not constitute an immediate violation of Alcovia's sovereignty.

Minister for the Interior, Rudolf Rudnost, stated in a press conference - 

The Kingdom of Alcovia is not a den of tyrants. It has never been our desire to see our people subjected to the horrors of war, terror and injustice. What we are seeing these days is a blight upon the history of what has been a peaceful nation. However, we cannot allow the cancer of fear and rebellion to grow and prosper. 

What you have been witnessing over the last month are necessary action to preserve the peace and sanctity of our nation. We ask only that we be allowed to conduct Alcovian internal matters in the Alcovian way and assure all onlookers in the world, that justice will be achieved without undo bloodshed and pain. Those who have been taken into custody are individuals who either have had a hand in recent actions taken against the nation and its people or those who we believe might be of assistance and help in finding more who might harm the people of this great kingdom.

To those who would cast us in the same mold as the villains of the past, we ask that you maintain an open mind and trust that we, a nation of peace and a kingdom ordained by divinity itself, shall prove ourselves to you all. To those who would not give us this consideration, we ask that you at least leave us to our own matters and not make Alcovia's troubles an excuse for your usual saber rattling and pretense. Alcovia will not be used an excuse for aggression and opportunity.

The minster's words, assumed to have been handed to him by the office of the king himself, maintain the Alcovian stance on the conflict since its beginning, demonstrating the conviction that Alcovia's internal matters should remain its own. the last bit of the short address has been met with some criticism for being, perhaps, a bit too confrontational. Experts say that such direct challenge to the policies and activities of other nations may have a reversed effect on foreign governments who are watching the Alcovian civil war. The statement also follows a trend in previous addresses and statements wherein Alcovia has overlooked and sidestepped its own imperialist invasion of Theogonia, now, the west-most province of the Alcovian kingdom.

Benefit Concert Ends in Violence

May 23, 2012

Last night's sudden a violent outbreak at the benefit concert being held by Alcovian pop star, Ilana Nosti has been blamed on a radical militia group. The group, calling itself the Brotherhood for a New Alcovia opened fire on the gathered crowd of civilians and off duty soldiers, killing 15 and wounding dozens more.

The group appears to have entered the arena in the guise of members of Alcovian internal security and RAA. As the capital was maintaining an alert status, soldiers and police forces were carrying weapons to the event. Security officials say that the militia members entered using forged documents and false identifications and that by the time they had opened fire it was too late to do anything but return fire and try to counter the attack. In the end, all the terrorists were killed in the ensuing firefight but not before they had inflicted heavy casualties on the unsuspecting crowd. 

Fortunately, none of the visiting officials or the performers were harmed during the firefight.

In a later interview, Miss Nosti had this to say...

This is a horrible and grotesque thing to have happen on this night of hope and help. To turn what was meant as a gesture of aid and peace into a bloody slaughter cannot be forgiven. I hope that all freedom loving Alcovians will see this for what it is and choose to do what is right in opposing this sort of evil

Miss Nosti later visited local hospitals offering her help to those caring for the wounded and consoling those who had lost loved ones in the attack.

Pop Star To Throw Benefit Concert

May 6, 2012

Alcovian pop sensation Ilana Nosti announced her plans to throw a benefit for the war-torn citizens of Alcovia. The concert, being held in the Alcovian capital of Chubakrev will be open to all citizens with a special ticket price being given to all active NAA troops as well as a special royal viewing by the king and his cabinet. All proceeds will go to benefiting charitable organizations already assisting in Alcovia.

Ilana has said that she also hopes to raise awareness of the conflict in her homeland through the worldwide televising of her concert on international pay per view outlets as well on several broadcast channels in nations where pay-per-view events are not available. At this time, her concert will be broadcast in 42 countries. A spokeswoman for Ms. Nosti also expressed her concerns and disappointment that no American networks or pay-per-view venues had picked up the concert, though there are a few Internet sources that will be showing the event and she is sure that viral coverage of the event will still allow the concert to reach American viewers. Ms. Nosti's manager blamed the lack of interest in America on the singer's clean image and the limited pallet of American listeners who have never warmed to Ilana's blend of traditional eastern European sounds and sweeping vocals.

The performance is set for the end of May or early June, but the planners of the event are intentionally keeping specific dates under wraps until closer to the event out of concern for possible terrorist activities.

-Eli

Ethnic Iquenis Threaten to Defy Cease Fire

APRIL 28, 2012

With the cease fire still in effect throughout the country, there have been recent stirrings among the pockets of ethnic Iqenis living throughout Alcovia. Most of these citizens have very shallow ties to Alcovia as a nation, being one or two generations removed from Iqenistan, the nation they still hold as their true nation and homeland. 

Since the start of the war, most Iqeni have found themselves in a difficult position of which side to choose. While national forces certainly stand for maintaining the current Alcovian state, General Kusatya's rebel forces are comprised mostly of veteran soldiers, many of whom have fought in skirmishes and wars against Iqenistan or defended the eastern Acovian border. This has left most non-enlisted Iqeni remaining neutral and clear of declaring any allegiance. Unfortunately, ethnic Iqeni communities have found themselves in the middle of battles between NAA and either APA and/or ALF forces. 

This has led to the regular formation of local militia groups within these communities. Originally created as self defense units for the purpose of protecting their communities, Internal Security forces have discovered that these individual militias are beginning to organize, setting up lines of communication between one another and establishing a network similar to what has been seen among insurgent forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. Though the presence of any influences from outside the region has been discovered, it is likely that, should this trend continue, Al Qaeda and similar organizations may indeed send advisers or fighters of their own to support a Muslim uprising within the Christian nation.

Most recently, some of these militia, especially those in unoccupied territories have started making their own shows of defiance against government forces. Armed gunmen have been seen patrolling the streets of Iqeni neighborhoods, blocking traffic to non-Iqeni residents and demanding tolls for passage. Other groups have made open protests against the treatment of Iqeni citizens, claiming that Alcovia has done little to elevate the living conditions of Iqeni residents beyond that of resident refugees since the massive influx in the late 80's following the epidemic flu outbreak that ravaged Alcovia's eastern neighbor.

One local ethnic Iqeni man was quoted as saying,

The king says that all Alcovians are equals, Kuzaki, Trebizoni, Theogonian, or Iqeni. But, all we see are Iqenis living in such horrible places, piled on one another while others have homes and land to call their own. We were invited here but we are not made welcome but because we cannot go home, we are treated like animals.

This sentiment is shared by many who feel that the kingdom's claims of benevolence in the face of disease and the resulting economic downfall of Iqenistan are nothing more than a veil over the real truth of opportunistic slavery and prejudice. The nation's leadership disputes these accusations by pointing out that the opening of Alcovian borders during the 1987 flu outbreak was done as a humanitarian gesture and that fair housing and provisioning was made to all Iqeni citizens who entered the country legally. they further point out that permanent residency was never part of their initial offering, but was later made available when it became clear that Iqenistan was left in no position to care for the sudden influx of returning citizens.

At present there are some 42,000 ethnic Iqeni men, women, and children living on Alcovian soil. It is estimated that only 68% of these are legally documented residents. Only 23% of these have taken Alcovian citizenship.

Alcovian Princess Returns to War-torn Homeland

Taking advantage of the cease fire, Princess Malatova returned to Alcovia from her studies abroad. The lovely daughter to King Ullo's oldest son, her arrival came as somewhat of a surprise to the royal cabinet. Amid the bustle of reporters and onlookers, the princess exited her private plane at the Alcovian National Airport. Pausing only for a few photos and brief words, the lovely royal was quickly whisked away in an official vehicle.

Not much is known about the reasons for her return to her war-torn home, but it but she is well known as an advocate for the proper integration of the nation across all its peoples as well as the demilitarization of the province of Theogonia. Such views have often marked her as a liberal supporter who's loyalties to her people is questionable. In fact it was only two years prior that the princess made a very emotional speech at a Trebizon convention for trade and human rights. 

What has been stated, not by the princess but by her official spokeswoman, Pretya Tushensia, is that the princess will be spending some time travelling around her home. Internal security authorities are concerned that the princess's planned tour of the nation may invite rebel and militia concerns to take advantage of her vulnerable position. The princess's public relations team made it quite clear than neither the princess or her entourage are in the slightest concerned over any supposed threat. the princess has refused all offers of additional security from her father or the royal offices.

So far there is no official itinerary but given her political views, it is thought that Princess Malatova will be visiting aid stations, medical stations and perhaps the UN refugee camps across the River Borka, in Iqenistan.