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Nice. I'm confident that I can win this, but let's not be very shocked if I lose.
Thanks!I'm a fan of the presentation method and GFX. Looking forward to more
New update soon. Just need to upload pictures.
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The Crash
Extracts from the “A Modern History of the Middle East” by Ramsay Pace (Midas Books, Vancouver CA)
Contrary to common knowledge, it was not the Great Depression (also known as the Black Monday) that brought the 600 year empire into its decline.
The effects of the Great Depression within the Ottoman Empire was significant but not enough to be devastating to the empire.
Still, the Ottoman Empire received its share of the effects of the crash. It has been reliant on the sale of agricultural produce to the external markets for its revenues. Its developing industry, under the aegis of Austro-Hungarian and German experts, took a sharp blow as well. The GDP of the Ottoman Empire fell by nearly 20%; a significant amount. The effects varies from each region. The western provinces, including the capital city, were hit the hardest. In these affected provinces, price of consumer and luxury goods increased sharply. | 
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| The rising discontent and the global calamity have prevented the empire from taking meaningful measures against its embolden enemies as the state revenues and spending declined. The military had its budget proportionally slashed to have the diverted funds poured onto the declining economy. |
The Arab states were one of those who have smelt the empire's weakness. Two months after the Black Monday, the Sultan of Egypt have planned an event called 'the Arab Congress' to gather representatives from all Arab states and discuss issues such as the preservation of the Arab culture. However, this grand meeting built on good will and intentions have obvious underlying imperialistic agendas. The imperial government in Constantinople have correctly recognised the threat of the Arab Congress but was unable to conduct anything to reduce nor nullify its danger. | 
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The Arab Congress have given the Ottomans a reminder of the Arab Revolt during the Great War
It was only the defeat of the Entente that allowed them to keep their empire south of Anatolia.
It didn't took long for them to see an armed revolt after the Congress.
The Arab Congress was just the spark required to electrify the Arab population within the empire. It didn't took long until a massive uprising appeared. The rebels have succeeded on taking over the local government in Amman and executed the local officials. However, the new Arab republic's longevity was proven to be short when the Ottoman army smashed the rebels. |
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Two certain messages from CAVKESK. These were sent through the faster rail messengers, rather than the slower routine messengers.
Archive ID: 13550329-07
I have made contact with GROUP 2 to find any information regarding the Arab Congress. GROUP 2 have confirmed our suspicions. The rumours of the Arabs' territorial ambitions have been confirmed by the report given by the Special Organisation[1]. The territorial claims agreed in the Arab Congress are in the Appendix A and B. GROUP 2 have also guaranteed that the territorial claims, as shown in Appendix A and B, does not include any Kurdish lands.
I personally recommend to establish contacts with the Arabs.
- CAVKESK
Appendix A:
Appendix B:
File logged: 10th of Rabi' al-thani 1355 (Islamic), 30th of June 1936 (Christian)
Archive ID: 13550419-02
Constitution has been suspended in effect immediately [9th of July 1936].
Chamber of Deputies dissolved. Emergency powers allocated. Talks of Martial Law in
the imperial court – chance: very likely. New Grand Vizier – Mehmet Cavid Pasha –
appointed. Imperial decrees by the new vizier to suppress dissidents and other
infringing elements and actors are been written and passed: anti-Kurdish measures
included!
All group members are paranoid. We all decided unanimously to cease current
operations and cancelled all plans and meetings. Couriers informed. Will cease regular
reports until we receive orders from you.
- CAVKESK
File logged: 23rd of Rabi' al-thani 1355 (Islamic), 13th of July 1936 (Christian)
Notes:
1. The Special Organisation (Teskilat-i Mahsusa) was the Ottoman Empire's intelligence agency under the War Department.
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The Allies better not backstap Faisal and the Arabs like they did in real life this time around! Well, these developments are not actually good for you at present, since you are still playing as the O.E.
This would be only an issue way into the future, but I've noticed that Mesopotamia (the provinces between the Tigris and Euphrates) fall outside of both Arab and Kurdish claims.
Doesn't Iran/Persia claim those provinces if they join the congress?
I still think my Kurdistan events should be added to KR!
(Getting eventual support from Sov/Rus)
Subs!
(Getting eventual support from Sov/Rus)
Subs!
Still writing the update.
Hopefully, I can post it later.
It will also be our last update with me as the OE
Looking on the files, it seems they are not included in the 1.5 version.
Hopefully, I can post it later.
It will also be our last update with me as the OE
Nah. I have no ambitions on their claimed lands. Their claims doesn't touch our glorious (hypothetical) motherland.
Yes. Entente has no role on the war. Though, that idea would work if they could set aside their past conflicts.
Yes. Whether they would join or not, we will see in the next update.
That's awesome! Though I prefer the Entente due to France and India's position.
Looking on the files, it seems they are not included in the 1.5 version.
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Rise of the Kurds
Archive ID: 13551001-05
Indirect sources have confirmed the formation of the so-called Camel Corps. So far,
according to the same source, that the corps is undermanned with just one division.
We apologise for not learning about this until now. However, information from
another source stated that this was set-up against the nomad tribes in the south,
not against us.
HAWIN have also reported, the imperial government have approved the construction
of the Skoda guns licensed from Austria-Hungary. These are up-to-date artillery
models. These will be formed into artillery brigades, and also replace existing ones.
The guns were already planned before as a reaction to the Arab Congress but it
appears they were postponed until the cavalry divisions were formed, due to
financial difficulties as confirmed by GROUP 2. Thus, we have not learnt about
the production of the Skoda guns until now.
Every member of GROUP 1 unanimously believed that the planned brigades are
numerous enough to arm every ordusu.
- CAVKESK
File logged: 11th of Dhu'l-Qa'dah 1355 (Islamic),16th of January 1937 (Christian)
Archive ID: 13551217-01
We have received your request to inquire about Turkish opinions regarding Persia's
attempt to join the Arab Axis. The suppose Persian entry is regarded as a “diplomatic
disaster”. The General Staff used to be confident that the handling of the Arab forces
in the Sinai and the Arabian peninsula is manageable. Now that the flanks are in danger
of being exposed, they are very worried.
GROUP 3 also received information that the Sultan desires to go to Berlin himself to gain
reassurance that Germany will protect them from foreign aggression. We will report
again once they have returned.
We would also like to add that the Special Organisation's report seen by GROUP 2
says that the Kurdish lands are included in the Persian claims. (See Appendix A)
This news is disastrous if we want to ally ourselves with the Arabs.
-CAVKESK
Appendix A:
[Note: Ottoman OOB inaccurate. Forgot to take a picture of Persian claims so I have to get it from another game.]
File logged: 25th of Dhu'l-Hijja 1355 (Islamic), 8th of March 1937 (Christian)
A following message was sent 5 days later
Archive ID: 13551230-03
To go straight to the point: I have two news.
1.) The Arabs have accepted the Persians into the alliance. Their proposed claims
on Kurdistan was also accepted by the alliance.
2.) The Sultan with his team of envoys and courtiers have returned to Istanbul.
The return of the Sultan was not a very joyous event. It didn't take long for me
to receive rumours that the mission was a failure. That Germany cannot guarantee
that she will go to war against the Arab Axis if they attack. I continue to
investigate for a true confirmation. I have received that confirmation from credible
sources from the General Staff and from the German embassy, both have confirmed
these rumours.
Many within the imperial government and in the public that believe that war will
happen soon. I also personally believe this. We request to be pulled out soon.
- CAVKESK
File logged: 11th of Muharram 1356, 24th of March 1937 (Christian)
Archive ID: 13560827-21
Around the 28th day of Rabi' al-thani of the previous year [18 July 1936], we have
received news that the Syndicalists in the neighbouring country of Georgia have
expressed their ambition to unite all of the Caucasus under their rule. The imperial
court and the general staff were concerned but I did not find it relevant.
However, this became relevant now that they have shown to be eager on their
promise. They have declared war on Azerbaijan, and reports from Armenia shown
that rebellions are erupting there, perhaps supported by the Mensheviks, or even
created by themselves. Ottoman troops were sent to stabilise the country.
The General Staff are worried that victory over Armenia and Azerbaijan would
make the Red Georgians to shift their gaze to the empire and capture the
suppose Armenian lands of the North-East, including the Kurdish homelands
around Erzurum.
-CAVKESK
File logged: 28th of Ramadan 1356 (Islamic), 2nd of December 1937 (Christian)
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The Caucasian Report was the last significant report sent by CAVKESK and his associates. The following messages were minor one, that he still wrote and sent even under tight government oversight following the suspension of the constitution. By December, they have received orders to evacuate Istanbul with clear strict instructions from a messenger. They were told to leave part by part.
It is January now. Sitting inside the train on the Asian side of Istanbul, he was the last to leave with HAWIN. The young staff officer shivers at the 10 o'clock evening air coming from the Marmara Sea.
I'm sorry, Istanbul. I will never see you again. Perhaps, I will never return. Our job here is done and war will happen soon.
Good night, Istanbul.
Four months later, war did happen.
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During the course of the Great Depression, the German economy improved slightly in the last two years. The health of the world economy, as it is heavily intertwine with the primary world power's, doesn't have a bright prospect than what many wished for. | 
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| The Ottoman Empire was different in this regard. They have achieved dramatic rebound by the end of 1937. Initial stabilisation and government intervention to control the crash was done superbly. The Ottoman economy continues to fully recover to its pre-crisis level by the next year. It seems that not all news in the ancient empire is bad news. |
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The Caucasian Report was the last significant report sent by CAVKESK and his associates. The following messages were minor one, that he still wrote and sent even under tight government oversight following the suspension of the constitution. By December, they have received orders to evacuate Istanbul with clear strict instructions from a messenger. They were told to leave part by part.
It is January now. Sitting inside the train on the Asian side of Istanbul, he was the last to leave with HAWIN. The young staff officer shivers at the 10 o'clock evening air coming from the Marmara Sea.
I'm sorry, Istanbul. I will never see you again. Perhaps, I will never return. Our job here is done and war will happen soon.
Good night, Istanbul.
Four months later, war did happen.
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Here we go!
I noticed Persia has claims on a lot of Kurdistan. Looks like you might have to fight everyone at some point.
I noticed Persia has claims on a lot of Kurdistan. Looks like you might have to fight everyone at some point.
Persia doesn't claim all of Kurdistan, though. Only half of Iraqi Kurdistan is in their claims, and none of Turkish Kurdistan.
The Persian effort is also often a complete failure, so the Kurds may yet rejoice and conquer their desired kingdom. Perhaps even with an outlet to the sea?? But that would be getting too far into the future.
The Persian effort is also often a complete failure, so the Kurds may yet rejoice and conquer their desired kingdom. Perhaps even with an outlet to the sea?? But that would be getting too far into the future.
Perhaps even with an outlet to the sea?? But that would be getting too far into the future.
Turkish Armenia as the main candidate?
YES! Nothing but death to the Sultans! Let dogs and beats run wild in the courts of the Sublime Porte! Eternal glory to the Golden Sun of Kurdistan!
Yep. It's a bit daunting. I wonder if Entente will allow me in their alliance.
Yep. Access to the sea is a priority. I'll mention about this in the next updatePersia doesn't claim all of Kurdistan, though. Only half of Iraqi Kurdistan is in their claims, and none of Turkish Kurdistan.
The Persian effort is also often a complete failure, so the Kurds may yet rejoice and conquer their desired kingdom. Perhaps even with an outlet to the sea?? But that would be getting too far into the future.
Damn right!
Kurdistan is quite far from the sea. But at least you can choose which sea to make for!! Black Sea, Mediterranean, Arabian Gulf, or the Caspian Sea - few countries have as many possible shores to choose from, as Kurdistan.
Kurdistan is quite far from the sea. But at least you can choose which sea to make for!! Black Sea, Mediterranean, Arabian Gulf, or the Caspian Sea - few countries have as many possible shores to choose from, as Kurdistan.
I think Kurdistan's best bet would be to invoke some kind of common Iranian heritage (maybe back to the Medes) and, after conquering Azerbaijan some way, make a Kurdish/Azeri federative state, much like Czechoslovakia. That also leads out to the Caspian Sea... although there's no navy to play with there. Oh, and yes, this kinda also requires a way to defeat Iran, so it's... not very plausible. Carving chunks out of the Ottoman Empire as it falls is an option, but then there's the problem of a large minority of Turks (or Arabs, if going towards Syria) who really don't want to be a part of Kurdistan. Of course, in the game, all that is abstracted and doesn't really lead to any problems, but it's a bit jarring storywise.