The Union was one of the original Eleven Nations. Its capitol is Columbia which is nestled safely in The Spine of the World a few dozen leagues from Jangai Pass. Under the city is a labyrinth for its citizens if the city ever falls under attack. It was almost destroyed in the Trolloc Wars with only a few miles of land around the broken city. As of the last battle They control Kinslayers Dagger and the part of The Spine of the World next to it all the way to the Aryth Ocean with the Tar Valon border a few hundred leagues north of the city. The current President is Madam Alika Redwood, a former general known for her shouting matches with the former Prez. Mr. Dav Liken and Suain, Elaida, and Egwene. The country is also the only one to "win" a war with the White Tower after they kidnapped a former Prez. The War Of Freedom or War of Stubbornness depending what side you were on ended with peace talks and the safe return of the Prez. The Library of Congress is the second largest in the Westlands surpassed only by the Tar Valon Library. There are four main military Guilds: Swordsmen's Guild, Assassin's Guild, Ranger's Guild, and Bombardier's Guild. Legend says that Birgitte herself founded the Ranger's Guild. President Tanreall better known as Artur Hawkwing took control of the nation and was able to manipulate Congress into spreading his borders despite it being explicitly stated that no President was to expand the nation out of greed or lust for power. Modern Unionmen describe Hawkwing as anti—democracy. During the War of the Hundred Years General and then President Saehar took control of the capitol and held it fast for the rest of the war. For the next hundred years the nation went through the Reclamation Period as they expanded the borders until they had recovered most of the original land. During the Aiel War, Columbia was breached and the population withdrew into the Catacombs for the first time since The War of the Hundred Years. It was then that the world learned of how dangerous Secret Service Agents are, with a single Agent able to put about half a dozen Aiel on the ground before dying themselves. The most famous Agent, who's name and codename was classified, allegedly killed 15 Aiel who broke into the Presidents chambers. After the Aiel war President Liken was elected. During his time, he was approached by Siuan Sanche and informed of the Dragon's Rebirth. He made a plan to step down when the Dragon proclaimed himself and rig the resulting election so Redwood was elected. The reason was that Liken was what many called a peacemaker Prez and he and the Amyrlin agreed that the Union needed a leader to lead them through wartime. With the fall of The Stone of Tear, Liken executes his plan, informing Vice Prez. Redwood, stepping down, and rigging her election. When Elaida rose to power, Redwood realized that she couldn't work with her and instead of following the original plan of the Union's armies marching with Tar Valon, she sends them straight to Tear. While the armies try to force a path through Cairhien, the Shaido invade and halt the advance. When Rand defeats the Shaido at Cairhien the Shaido cut a path through the Union-Cairhien border and hide in Kinslayer's Dagger. Redwood redirects the Border Guards at the Borderlands-Union borders to the mountain range and they spend the rest of the time there to contain them until Tarmon Gai'don starts. Redwood eventually approaches Rand and violates the oldest Union custom: she doesn't salute. Instead she kneels and swears fealty. The Union spends the the rest of the time under the Banner of the Dragon alongside the Thirteen Stars of the Union. Grendael tries to put Redwood under Compulsion during The Last Battle but Redwood kills herself before she can with a hidden poison pill in her mouth. Vice President Jakal Eyesi takes her place as Designated Survivor.