A/N: A file that's been in the works for the long time. As the Hades Revision has continued, one of the biggest parts that got a lot of attention was the Caliphate and the War on Terror, mostly revising it to make more sense, and be treated a bit better considering the subject matter. This will be one of the files that goes into more detail on that period. If some of it contradicts earlier details and lore from Hades, it's because it does. This supersedes it, and will be corrected in the Hades Revision. Special thanks to King for working together with me on putting this together. I'm glad this was finally able to be put together.
World | History
The War on Terror
"Was it a war on terror? Partially. The history books shouldn't call it that though. This was not a war just on terror. It was a war on the Caliphate, it was a war on Islam, and it was a war against a Middle East that had crossed a line too far. And in response, the world banded together, and crushed it to splinters."
- Anonymous NATO officer
EXALT
ANALYSIS REPORT TO THE DIRECTOR
REGION OF FOCUS: MIDDLE EAST
SUBJECT OF FOCUS: THE CALIPHATE OF ARABIA AND AFRICA
! FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION !
OVERVIEW: There have been a number of rapid and shifting actions that are being taken by global actors that necessitate an immediate review and course of action as to the events taking place in the Middle Eastern Region. We estimate that there is a high possibility of conflict which has the potential to involve MAJOR-CLASS actors as well as SECONDARY and PUPPET entities.
The developing situation revolves around the Middle East, and the Caliphate specifically, which has been making provocations towards Israel, while both Turkey and the Caliphate have been making threats towards each other. This is the culmination of the deterioration of the Caliphate that began shortly after the Annexation of Iran and the execution of the Inheritor King.
This report will review the major components of this situation, as well as preliminary solutions. If we wish to have control over what comes next, it is essential we rapidly decide on a course of action.
ENTITY OF FOCUS – THE CALIPH: Caliph Abbas Hazeem is the absolute leader of the Caliphate, though this was not always his focus. Since the death of the Inheritor King – which we previously ascertained he was almost certainly responsible for arranging – the Caliph has been consolidating more power and authority within the Caliphate.
He is an extremely erratic and unstable individual, andwe have found it difficult to ascertain his true endgame and motivations. He is highly paranoid, and very skilled at efficiently removing dissidents and individuals who are hostile to his changes, as well as installing loyalists and allies.
He has made a number of internal enemies within the Caliphate, though none are currently willing to act against him, due to the influence he now wields. Most prominently, he has begun altering Caliphate's religious laws to be more strict, apply to minority populations and lesser Islamic sects, and set the Caliphate on the path towards a fundamentalist Sunni theocracy.
The Caliph has been obsessed with territorial expansion and being seen as the ultimate figure of the Muslim world. Iran was the most obvious expression of this desire, having likely arranged for the assassination of the Inheritor King, and then subsequently used the event to justify the Annexation of Iran. He is almost certainly using Turkey and Israel to goad them into pre-emptive action, though he appears to believe he will successfully be able to face these nations.
This is not a stable figure, and we cannot accurately predict what he may decide to do.
ENTITY OF FOCUS – ISRAEL: The Caliphate and Israel have had a hostile relationship for years, which has worsened as the Caliph has tightened his grip. While the Caliphate has consistently supported the Palestinian state rhetorically and politically, it has shifted towards more material and ideological support as the Caliph has taken greater control. This includes, the funding of terrorist movements within Palestine, Lebanon, and Jordan, which have been responsible for multiple instances of terror-based events.
Israel has repeatedly alleged that the Caliphate has been behind these groups, and has received support from Western entities, though no material action has been taken against the Caliphate, frustrating Israeli officials, who are looking for more radical solutions to solve the issue of Palestinian terrorism.
ENTITY OF FOCUS – TURKEY: Since nearly the inception of the formal Caliphate, Turkey has been opposed to the very existence of an Islamic state, arguing that anyone claiming the mantle of Caliph is illegitimate. This line of rhetoric was chosen due to the perceived damage it was doing to Turkey's presentation to the world as the primary advocate of moderate Islam.
While relations were poor, they were limited to rhetoric and diplomatic venues. Following the Caliph's purge of the Avant sect, Turkey has become more aggressive in their condemnation of the Caliphate, and has begun laying the groundwork for direct intervention, and calling the Caliphate a perpetuator of Islamic terrorism.
Turkey has almost intervened several times – specifically when the Caliphate annexed Iran, though were held back by the urging of NATO and Russian entities. They instead worked to house prominent Iranian exiles, and continually stoked military sentiment among the general population, with relative success.
SHATTERPOINT – PALESTINIAN TERRORISM: Palestinian terrorists supported by the Caliphate have the potential to be a major flashpoint in a potential conflict. Terrorist attacks have intensified in recent years, indiscriminately targeting military and civilian groups and institutions, which have been tacitly justified by the Caliph in several public statements, to the outrage of Israel.
Palestinian terror cells are highly sophisticated, and are notably decentralized. Terrorists embed into legitimate Palestinian organizations with the intent to ensure that any crackdown will hurt only innocent Palestinians. The Caliphate is relying on this deterrent, but it is extremely unlikely to deter Israel from taking substantive action if the attacks continue.
Israel is currently considering a number of options, including a massive operation to arrest the leaders of all Palestinian groups, to determine which ones are compromised. More extreme options are the mass deportation of swathes of Palestinian citizens to neighboring Lebanon and Jordan, and the annexation of the Palestinian state. Israel has already prevented any travel to and from the Caliphate, and any Caliphate officials within the country are subject to detention and interrogation.
It is likely that, should Israel go through with more extreme measures to curtail Palestinian freedom and movement, the Caliph will take that as justification to intervene on their behalf, bringing Israel into a conflict. It is almost certain they would receive worldwide support, particularly from the United States, who would draw in additional allies against the Caliphate.
SHATTERPOINT – WESTERN ALIENATION FROM CALIPHATE: The relative independence the Caliphate has enjoyed for the previous decades has greatly increased the negative perception world powers have towards the region as a whole. The Inheritor King was a sufficient deterrent from foreign meddling and significant concerns, though this has greatly deteriorated since the Caliph began to assert greater control.
The Western world is extremely alarmed at the moves the Caliph has been making, and are anticipating that his ambitions at minimum encompass Turkey, the Levant, Pakistan, and potentially northern Eurasia. The idea of a significant chunk of the world being under a theocratic dictatorship that controls a large amount of natural resources is unacceptable.
These factors make it extremely likely that, should war break out, the West will immediately intervene to bring the Caliphate under control. Russia and China are also likely to, if not directly intervene, tacitly support the effort. It remains unlikely that the West would initiate a war, but they have signaled to both Turkey and Israel that they will be supported if action is taken.
SHATTERPOINT – TURKISH-CALIPHATE DETERIORATION: Turkey has recently and consistently indicated that they view the Caliphate as an immediate and inherent threat that must be dealt with. All diplomatic relations with the Caliphate have been severed in recent weeks, despite lobbying from China and Pakistan not to do so.
Both nations have been engaged in border conflicts of slowly rising intensity, which have caused a small number of casualties on both sides, though this has not yet escalated to open war. It is unlikely that the Caliph will outright invade, as he likely judges that if Turkey is the aggressor, any response will look justified to the outside world.
What the Caliph is failing to take into account is that the international community does not support him, and no matter if Turkey is the aggressor or not, there will be no support, rhetorical or otherwise, for the Caliphate. Turkey is aware of this, and every indication points to a military buildup that will be used to invade the Caliphate.
ANALYSIS – WAR LIKELIHOOD: A war is almost certain. As of the time of this report, it is more likely that any conflict will be initiated by Turkey, which will openly attack or invade the Caliphate, which would immediately trigger a counterattack by the Caliphate. Turkey would very quickly invoke Article 5, bringing NATO into the war.
It is also likely that, in the event of an invasion, Israel will implement one of their contingencies for Palestine. Both nations will likely react to each other, and, in the event that Israel acts first, Turkey would similarly implement their plans. No matter what, additional Western support for each country is assured.
Only immediate intervention can prevent a conflict.
ACTION – CONFLICT PREVENTION: While not impossible, successfully intervening to prevent a conflict between the Caliphate and exterior actors would be a significantly costly endeavor for us, and raises the risk of unwitting exposure that will be difficult to successfully suppress.
The core of a successful mitigation would be the United States, Russia, and China working together to de-escalate tensions within the region, or the United States signaling, overtly or otherwise, to Israel and Turkey that they would not support actions which would bring the country into a war.
The most important element is that the Caliph must immediately be removed from power. There is no feasible circumstance where Turkey would reconsider their aggressive actions so long as the Caliph is in power, and would call the bluff of the United States. Due to our limited political control within the Caliphate, this would have to be executed through our own agents.
It is unlikely that the general public, within and outside the Caliphate, would care or contest this development, and we can successfully frame it as disaffected Shia individuals taking action. It is very likely that more moderate elements within the Caliphate would quickly take over, and approach foreign powers to de-escalate. If we did this in conjunction with the execution of a number of the Caliph's allies, this would ensure a moderate takeover.
BENEFIT – REGIONAL STABILITY: Objectively, the greatest benefit to the prevention of a mass-scale conflict would be the maintenance of regional stability. In the event that a moderate party regains power within the Caliphate, it would likely improve policies in the region which had been reduced or removed previously.
It would allow us a new opportunity to properly establish networks within the Caliphate which were altered or prevented due to the erratic decisions of the Caliph. However, the issue of the theocratic nature of government remains a hindrance to ongoing operations, and their resistance to foreign investment and focus on self-sufficiency reduced the opportunity for subversion, making long-term operations costly and deeply involved.
A war would also lead to a significant destabilization of the world economy, and likely a crash in the oil markets, forcing a drive towards new oil fields and energy sources. It is possible that the economic ramifications could lead to a temporary recession in first-world countries, and lessen the stability of the global market overall.
ACTION – CONFLICT ASSURANCE: However, we can take the lead in this conflict and ensure that it happens as we wish it to. The actors and their motivations, capabilities, and intentions are well-known, and should certain individuals be moved into certain positions, as well as receive the necessary institutional support, the result of a conflict could not only ensure the permanent removal of the Caliphate, but also secure an existing network within the Middle East.
It would be extremely simple to push Turkey to initiate an attack against the Caliphate, especially if assurances of Western support are provided. Israel we could push to perform a full annexation and expulsion of Palestinian entities, especially if support is promised. Amplifying pro-conflict and anti-Caliphate sentiment prior to engagement will make the support for conflict high, and lead to a smooth intervention.
Unfortunately, the Caliphate has sophisticated self-sufficiency networks, which makes it difficult to effectively sanction, otherwise such would be suggested prior to an incitement. Instead, we should work to ensure that all involved nations are militarily prepared. Radical Islamist groups in non-Caliphate nations should also be dealt with using Venator operatives.
What must be properly managed is capitulation management. It is likely that when the Caliphate begins losing, they will attempt to sue for peace, which would leave the Caliphate intact. This is not a desirable outcome, and we would need to work to ensure that the war does not end until each element of the Caliphate, and the Caliph himself, is destroyed.
BENEFIT – REGIONAL CONTROL: The Middle East has been a region which has existed outside core EXALT influence, which was an unexpected development after British abdication in favor of Saudi rule. The subsequent unification of the region under a shared Islamic identity made it difficult to properly establish networks due to high pan-Islamist sentiment, as well as loyalty to the Inheritor King.
Recent operations were beginning to reassert our influence, which stagnated due to the Cold War, and Middle Eastern affairs were a lower priority as a result. With the Cold War over, it is necessary that our influence be asserted, as having a sizable semi-autonomous region is not in the interests of EXALT or Humanity. Control over the largest oil reserves in the world, as well as other deposits of resources, will be critical for future operations.
BENEFIT - DECLINE OF RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE: The approval of Islam worldwide has steadily declined as the Caliphate has taken more aggressive stances and rolled back modern religious laws into fundementalist interpretations. A war against the Caliphate would almost certainly reduce the influence and popularity of Islam across the world, as well as empowering atheist and anti-religious sentiments, agendas, and groups.
It is unlikely that Islam will lose popularity or influence within the region, but exterior nations will almost certainly be incentivized to put limits on Islam, including additional surveillance, laws banning certain practices, and psychological, cultural, and economic pressure which will make continued practice unsustainable.
This will likely empower a new wave of anti-religious action, and while it is unlikely that religions other than Islam will be greatly affected, working to tie Islam to the questionable practices and beliefs of other religions will accelerate the continuing decline of religion overall, fulfilling this objective significantly earlier than anticipated.
WILD CARD – PAKISTAN: Pakistan has steadfastly refused integration with the Caliphate, though this is not because of ideological disagreements, but due to American and Chinese pressure, leading to military statements that rejected the legitimacy of the Caliphate. There is the potential for Pakistan to fall into a civil war with enough possible support to capture the country.
This is an unlikely scenario because China would almost certainly not allow the Caliphate to gain a foothold on their doorstep, nor would India tolerate a more radical Islamic state. The military would additionally take steps to ensure that any civilian apparatus claiming to support the Caliphate is removed.
However, the potential for Pakistan to be thrown into instability is extremely high, and would open another front for the Caliphate to intervene in during a conflict.
WILD CARD – THE COMMANDER: The group of operatives working under the direction of the individual calling himself the "Commander" is not an entity that should be ignored. Despite their relatively small size, they have been causing a significant amount of disruption and damage to the Caliphate, to the point where the Caliph has privately ordered him to be dealt with.
While almost certainly a state-backed group, there are indications that this group is starting to act more on its own, as they are extremely aggressive and violent against the worst Caliphate entities, particularly radical Imams, the Ikhwan, and military officials. Their acts have inspired a current of fear within the Caliphate, which is not an expected escalation from a state-backed party.
Nonetheless, this group appears very skilled and potentially useful should we wish to utilize them more overtly.
TEL AVIV – The world awakens to war on the horizon, as the Caliphate of Arabia has declared the aggression taken by Turkey, as well as the actions of Israel against the Palestinian region would no longer be tolerated. Speaking earlier in the day, the Caliph declared that Israel's anti-terrorist activities against violent Palestinian groups and Turkish attacks along the Caliphate-Turkish border "were an unforgivable and imperial act, and the Caliphate will not allow the continued abuse of our brothers and sisters suffering under these illegitimate regimes." Caliphate and Turkish soldiers are already engaged in full-scale war, and border skirmishes are taking place along the Israel border as they work to secure Palestine.
This follows weeks where diplomatic relations with both countries reached an all-time low. Israel has long accused the Caliphate of sponsoring Palestinian terrorism through Lebanon, while the Caliphate has similarly declared Israel an apartheid regime that suppressed the rights of their Arab citizens.
Diplomatic relations were fully severed when Israel expelled several hundred Palestinian activists to the Caliphate, while imprisioning some naturalized Palestinian-Israeli citizens, and banned all Caliphate officials from setting foot in the country. The Caliphate responded by creating a national registry of "non-Islamic" religions, widely panned by the international community as a thinly-veiled attempt to track Jews living within the Caliphate.
A longtime critic of the Caliphate, Israel has been on the forefront of warning of Caliphate aggression, particularly when the Caliphate annexed Iran following the assassination of the Inheritor King, giving refuge to Iranian officials. They have introduced repeated resolutions to the United Nations urging a strong condemnation of the Caliphate. The Caliphate has similarly introduced resolutions condemning Israel. Neither nation has been successful in their efforts.
The relationship between Turkey and the Caliphate is similarly long and rocky. Border clashes have repeatedly occurred between the two nations, with each accusing the other of provocation. Turkey has denounced the Caliphate as an "illegitimate institution that exists to posture as the speaker for worldwide Islam". The Caliphate has attempted to affirm its legitimacy in response to this, which Turkey has repeatedly rejected.
Turkey, together with Egypt, has also condemned what they view as "Extremist expansion", particularly condemning the Caliphate invasion of Iran, as well as its aggressive tactics to bring other Arab nations fully into the Caliphate. It was repeatedly warned that the Caliphate was focused on assimilating significant parts of Turkey, which has driven a massive military buildup, supplied by American and Russian sources, over the past couple years.
Turkey has alleged that they have uncovered plans that describe the invasion of Turkey, and have announced their intent to destroy the Caliphate and "Liberate Arabia from their theocratic oppressors." As of several hours ago, Turkey officially invoked Article 5, and analysts predict that there is very little chance that NATO will not become involved in this conflict.
The United Nations has urged all sides to immediately de-escalate and has offered to mediate the disputes between Turkey, Israel, and the Caliphate. This was formally rejected by Israel, and ignored by both Turkey and the Caliphate. Most believe that full-scale war is inevitable between Europe, America, and the Middle East.
Already the Caliphate has ceased all exports, and analysts are predicting a significant price surge, due to the oil output of the region, and as military forces begin appropriating remaining oil for the war effort. Neither Russia nor China have signaled their intent in the coming days, beyond statements asserting that they are monitoring the situation.
Few view that as a good sign for the Caliphate's prospects. Inaction, several experts say, is tantamount to approval. Russia, considered one of the friendliest to the Caliphate, has seen its relationship with the beleaguered theocracy sour following the death of the Inheritor King and growing power of the Caliph himself.
While China appears to be unwilling to involve itself, Pakistan has announced its neutrality in the conflict, which is a blow to the Caliph's request, as he declared a Jihad against the invading countries. That one of the countries bordering the Caliphate is declining to take up arms also implies that other Muslim-majority nations such as Indonesia will also remain neutral – though with China looming over both, there are likely pragmatic reasons for doing so.
There is uncertainty as to the details of the conflict that is to come. Few experts doubt that a Western victory is assured - what is unknown is what the price will be, and already questions are being asked as to what would even be done after the deposition of the Caliph and capture of Arabia.
Nonetheless, the largest war in decades is just beginning, and most see it as the end of the Caliphate, a conclusion to a region which once experienced a golden age of prosperity and influence.
- Article | "Caliph declares Jihad against Israel and Turkey; Turkey invokes Article 5"
The War on Terror was a conflict which scarred the entire region, and the consequences of which remain present to this day. Even the most pessimistic of analysts who saw the clash of regions did not believe the war would last more than a few months. True war was something which the world purportedly did not have an appetite for.
It was a new era, a globalized economy was entrenched, education was at all-time highs, and few believed that so many would be willing to return to what was believed to be a more uncivilized age. Debate was not on if the war would end, but what the terms would be, and whom they would favor.
It was a mindset which even seemed to infect the military commanders and politicians, many of whom either believed the war would not last long, or downplayed their own roles, believing that the problems would resolve themselves, an assumption that would soon begin to collapse under its own weight.
Turkey saw initial success against the Caliphate, which buoyed hopes of a swift victory. This was utterly crushed when the Caliphate launched their counterattack. It was an unrelenting, brutal campaign against Turkey, which saw tens of thousands of Turkish soldiers killed in what has been described as one of the most sophisticated entrapments and encirclements of an enemy force in history.
With the Turkish lines shattered, the Caliphate marched into Turkey and vast swathes of the nation fell under the black banners of the Caliphate. It was when Ankara itself was threatened that the eyes of the observers cleared, their minds became sober, and they realized they were dealing with no ordinary man, nor any ordinary army.
Much like how the Caliphate subjugated the Iranians, terror and fanatic adherence ruled in the territories the Caliphate controlled. The people either converted or were subjected to increasingly degrading punishments and executions. Children were taken away and indoctrinated, only to return as brainwashed guards to the families and friends they had once lived amongst. Executions, torture, and fundamentalist law ruled, and only became stricter as the war continued.
In the east, an uprising occurred in Pakistan, where those loyal to the Caliphate rallied and seized large swathes of the country, denouncing the standing government. The civilian government was soon expelled by the military, who immediately wasted no time in pacifying the Islamist partisans, while requesting allied intervention. While strong allies with America, the United States were occupied with the Western Front - leaving the Chinese available to answer. American, Chinese, and Pakistani officers worked together, plotting out the specifics of intervention.
With the blessing of America, one hundred thousand People's Liberation Army troops marched into Pakistan and Afghanistan and began ruthlessly exterminating the jihadist threat. The military junta that took over used the opportunity to remove anyone who had ever been remotely sympathetic to the Caliphate, arresting, imprisoning, and executing them. Others were turned over to the Chinese government at their request.
Instability ruled Pakistan for a time, but the Caliphate never had a chance, and, as the Chinese and Pakistanis secured the border between the Caliphate and Afghanistan, they could offer no support to their brethren as the routes the Caliphate used to move soldiers and equipment through Afghanistan collapsed. China eventually pacified multiple regions in Afghanistan, up to the Iranian border, though were never able to fully control the region, as the country reverted back into tribal states. India similarly did not waste the opportunity, and used the chaos to formally claim the long disputed lands of Kashmir and Jammu while Pakistan was powerless to stop them.
With his hope to the east dashed, the Caliph returned his attention to the west, which was beginning to see a resurgence. NATO had rallied, Israel remained stubbornly impossible to invade, and the military victories of the early days faded as America began taking a more direct role in the conflict, with General Peter Van Doorn orchestrating many of the defeats of the Caliphate.
Yet, the war soon reached a stalemate of sorts, and conditions worsened within the Caliphate. Rule became harsher; and sabotage, plots, and economic deterioration continued to dominate. Through much of the war, the religious fervor of the holy war the Caliph had attempted to wage had been replaced with fear.
The Caliph grew more paranoid the longer the war continued, carrying out unpredictable purges of those he suspected were plotting against him, including decimating the Ikhwan, whom he alleged had planned to betray him. Dissidents were similarly punished or disappeared. Soon, nearly all of the original advisors had been expelled, executed, or replaced. The actions of the so-called Commander, the brutal insurgent within the Caliphate, also pushed the Caliph to a state incapable of rule.
The collapse of the Caliphate was predicted by many, a domino effect where defeats compounded, and soon snowballed, into the eventual collapse of the Islamic state. The Battles of Aleppo, Damascus, Riyadh, and many more were death blow after death blow for the Caliphate, the legitimacy of which was shattered beyond repair.
Soldiers were deserting by the hundreds, minor rebellions were taking place, and officers were openly and covertly surrendering. The collapse of the Caliphate was imminent, though there were a few actions not taken by NATO directly which spelled the final collapse of the Caliphate.
Both of these actions involved the Commander, an enigmatic figure that, to this day, no nation has claimed. The Commander had always indicated that he was self-sufficient, and no evidence has emerged which has confirmed or denied this. He and his forces were the third constant in the war; forces which matched the brutality and ruthlessness of the Caliphate with their own.
Most agree that the Caliphate did not fear NATO as they feared the Commander.
The one who orchestrated the atrocity at Damascus, who murdered many of the Imams who spread the Caliph's heretical version of Islam, who was been behind the assassinations of dozens of major Caliphate military officials and their families, he became the most feared man in Arabia. To this day the vision of a crucifix remains a potent sight - even during the war the crucifix was removed as a means of punishment due to its association with the Commander.
Yet nothing done by the Caliphate ever compared to when the Commander orchestrated the destruction of the Islamic Holy Cities of Mecca and Medina and desecrated the Tomb of Muhammad. That, more than anything else, was what ultimately broke the hold the Caliph had over his state. The act sent the entire world into a state of shock, where the lie of a holy war was exposed for all.
Many believe this news was what broke the mind of the Caliph, as afterwards he declared a worldwide jihad in a disjointed statement, which resulted in several major terror attacks happening, and attempted to orchestrate and fund worldwide acts of terror, which were prevented through law enforcement, intelligence actions, and increased surveillance on Muslim communities. The Caliphate remained shattered, NATO finished their campaign, and, finally, the Caliphate collapsed.
When the Caliph was taken into custody, his convoy was attacked and he was later found crucified. Most attribute his death to the Commander, finishing the job he had begun, though there are some who believe it was carried out by disgruntled militias, Israel, who would have never consented to imprisonment, or even NATO, who didn't want to afford him a trial.
With the Caliph dead, the few remaining Caliphate officials signed the Damascus Accords. The terms dictated by NATO and China, which were effectively written to ensure that no country in the Middle East could ever rise to become a sustainable or threatening country. There was no negotiation or deliberation, it was made clear to the Caliphate officials that they would sign the terms as drafted or they would be replaced until they found those who would.
Reluctantly, the agreements were signed by the nations within the Middle East, and the Caliphate was broken into the original nation states, ruined and destroyed under the Caliph they had once fought for. The Middle East remains in turmoil today, as bandits, militias, and terrorists roam the lands, with weak states struggling to keep afloat.
There is no doubt that, while the War on Terror is now over, its consequences will impact the world for years to come.
- Article | "The Last Caliph: The Failure of the Caliphate's Arabian Offensive"
"Tiringly predictable and...saddening. It is difficult to describe to someone who has not experienced it. Seeing what you believe in and love twisted and corrupted into a mockery of what it was. Worse, still, when people view the mockery as the real thing. The Caliph...what he did was unforgivable. He single-handedly poisoned the image of Islam around the world. His actions set off a chain of events that devastated us."
"I am not going to ignore the racists and opportunists who used his heresy to justify their crimes, but I want to be clear that the root of all fault lies with this man. Something which keeps me up at night is thinking how they were so wrong, how such a man could be elevated, worshipped, even. Did he change? Or worse, had he always been like that and no one had seen?"
[What do you think it was?]
"I was not privy to the talks when the Caliphate was created. I was a young man then, beginning my own journey. Arabia was not my home, and I never stepped foot in the region until my thirties. I have reviewed the history, the arguments made public, and I can find little fault with their process, which makes me fear the process was flawed. Or perhaps it is as simple as "he changed". That is the best I can answer your question."
"What I often reflect on today is just how...thoroughly a single person can corrupt and change a country. The Caliph was a single man, yet he alone twisted what he was supposed to protect into an extension, a reflection of himself and his desires. Something evil. The Caliphate was prosperous, it was tolerant, despite your liberals complaining otherwise, and it was a place of study, philosophy, and research. And one single man destroyed it all to fulfill his selfish desires."
"I fear that too many people do not realize the utter weight and power these singular leaders possess. Institutions are vulnerable because they are often untested, and when they are pushed, they will often crumble. The Caliph pushed, and exposed the flaws in our system. If they had been stronger, perhaps he would have failed. We as a species have a fatal flaw, and that is believing our leaders have our best interests at heart. This is a dangerous, and often incorrect and naïve, assumption to make."
[But you did realize when he began growing more erratic. Why did you not speak out?]
"We did. Every day. In the Caliphate I can accept that it was dangerous for your life, but us in the West had no such excuse. Our organizations, Imams, and elders were not silent as the Caliph made a mockery of our beliefs. You and your people just ignored us, because it was inconvenient in your crusade to paint us as a singular, evil people."
"You did everything the Caliph wanted. He wanted to drive a wedge between Muslims and their homes, and make them see the Caliphate as the only place where they would be accepted and free. He lied, but many believed him, and your media played right into his hand and did more for him and his cause than he ever could have alone."
[The Caliphate infiltrating Muslim communities around the world and recruiting was a well-known operation.]
"And when we found out, our people expelled them. Do you think we were ignorant or too savage to understand the barbarity of what the Caliphate was? Of course they tried to do so, and, in some cases, they succeeded. That is not blame you can put on Muslims, no more than paint all Americans as racist. It is a ridiculous, oversimplified, and unfair comparison that anyone would rightly reject - except when it comes to Muslims."
[This was during the War on Terror?]
"This was before the War on Terror. During the war it was worse. If before it was subtle discrimination, now it was overt. Us 'lucky' ones in the West, we only had to contend with surveillance of our communities. Mosques seeded with police and intelligence agencies. Laws that were 'not targeted' at us, but coincidentally restricted our beliefs."
"It was degrading, alienating, and created a culture of fear. I wonder how many were pushed to the Caliphate as the West did exactly what the Caliph said they would. It didn't matter what we did or said, our innocence or guilt, we were an enemy. The Muslims who lived in the West were lucky, as we were just subject to humiliation. Many others were not so fortunate."
[You refer to the attacks against Muslims in India?]
"Genocides. Use the correct term. You are right though, the Indians were ruthless towards us. The Hindus saw their opportunity and took it. Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bosnia. Extremists and nationalists who struck."
[I wasn't aware there was a Muslim community in Bosnia.]
"There isn't. Not anymore. The other Muslim communities in the nations I mentioned are scattered, ostracized, or have fled. All conveniently extremists and terrorists, so they said. The same excuse, over and over. No one cared enough to report on it, or when they did, it was regurgitating the lies. It was an ethnic cleansing across the world."
"China was more benevolent, a term I use loosely, as it did not kill the Muslims in its land, it merely forcefully assimilated them. Cultures destroyed, forced inter-marrying, and only approved Imams could teach them. Ironically, when the West looked for a way to control Islam, they looked to Chinese religious policies. Many were adopted in some form."
"Even our own gave in to the bloodshed. When the Iranians regained their homes, the first thing done was punish the Sunni minority. Many tribes were simply...wiped out. Forever. And there was no one who felt the need to call it out. They were Muslims, and they were the enemy. This is what the Caliph began, and what the rest of the world enabled. I do not need to recount what the Turks did while they stormed Riyadh."
[And now that a few years have passed, have you seen much change?]
"No, and I fear it never will. The world wants us gone. The Middle East has devolved into warring and infighting amongst ourselves, trying to survive and find someone to blame. The Damascus Accords were good for everyone - except those who still lived in the Middle East. Things will not change, they will simply become normalized. Perhaps in a few years some may allow discussion to happen, but I am not optimistic. I can only do what I can, and pray that one day the world will be more tolerant."
"I do not want to say that we do not share some blame for this happening. Retrospect paints a clearer picture, though one we can never reach. But we do not, and will not, accept blame for things we did not do. We are not evil for existing, nor do we deserve to be associated with a perversion of what we believe, as if we unconditionally accept it. Ignorance killed us as much as the Caliph did. If there is one thing I wish to share, it is that I implore people to learn. Do not assume, just learn with an open mind. That is the only way things will change."
- Interview with Imam Zameel al-Amini, 3 years after the War on Terror
Transcript | Anonymous French Soldier Following the War on Terror
[Interviewer]: "We can get started whenever you're ready."
[FS]: "Sure."
[I]: "You were one of the soldiers that took part in the African campaign against the Caliphate."
[FS]: "I was."
[I]: "Describe the leadup to the war – NATO was against intervention in Africa, specifically."
[FS]: "Hectic. There was confusion at first within the military. We didn't know if we were going to Arabia or not at first. Politicians wanted us to go, then they didn't, and then Africa came up, and the rest is history. I think someone saw an opportunity."
[I]: "Who, specifically?"
[FS]: "Us, the Italians, the Egyptians. Not difficult to figure out who. There was a strong element of patriotism to it as well. Africa was…more out of our hands. No one liked that the colonies were in the hands of fanatical Islamists. Plus, the military arguments were strong."
[I]: "General Van Doorn seemed to disagree."
[FS]: "With respect to Van Doorn, he only got to play the good guy because people like the Commander were running around being the butchers, not that it's relevant here. Fact is that it made no sense to target Arabia when half of the Caliphate was in Africa. The military rationale was strong."
[I]: "He specifically cited that Africa was not as supportive of the Caliph's crusade."
[FS]: "And to this day I don't know where he got that. The Caliphate in Africa didn't stop supporting Arabia, Egypt just made it impossible."
[I]: "Do you think the invasion was justified?"
[FS]: "For myself? For a lot of the soldiers? It was. I'm not going to pretend the politicians weren't doing it just so they could reassert control over their former colonies, they aren't saints. Doesn't change the fact that the region is better now that it is no longer under a religious cult."
[I]: "Instead under foreign advisement."
[FS]: "Yes. Temporarily."
[I]: "Do you believe it will be temporary?"
[FS]: "If for no other reason than staying in the long-term is untenable. The natives wouldn't accept it, neither would the world. Much as the politicians want their colonies back, they aren't getting them. Best thing that can be done is forging strong ties with them."
[I]: "To briefly switch topics, how were you and others received?"
[FS]: "Depended on the place. Some of the people hated us, and wanted us gone. Others were grateful we intervened. I won't lie and say we were received with open arms, but also pretending that a good number of people weren't grateful is similarly dishonest."
[I]: "The fighting you experienced was strong?"
[FS]: "Very. They had the advantages. They knew the land, they had popular support, and they were driven by religious fervor. A very potent and dangerous combination. Foreign Minister le Suivre was the reason we were able to start pushing deeper into the Caliphate."
[I]: "How so?"
[FS]: "He knew the right people. He spoke their languages, knew their customs, swayed them away from the Caliphate. And wrangled the Italians and Egyptians to put together a coherent offensive. Without his work, we'd probably have suffered many more casualties, and sustained revolts."
[I]: "Le Suivre is being praised for his role. So you're saying it's deserved."
[FS]: "Very much so. He probably saved the offensive."
[I]: "With the Caliphate destroyed now, what do you see as next for the region?"
[FS]: "I expect a lot of rebuilding, deconversion from the radicalism of the Caliphate, and we can hope for stronger relations with Europe as a result. It only seems right that we help rebuild their countries after damaging them."
[I]: "No doubt this is something to keep a close watch on. Thank you for your time."
[FS]: "You're welcome. I appreciate the opportunity to talk."
DAMASCUS - After several weeks of negotiations following the collapse of the Caliphate, NATO officials and Middle Eastern States of the former Caliphate have announced the final signing of the Damascus Accords, which formally bring an end to the conflict, often referred to as the War on Terror.
The conference was heavily protected, due to fears of lingering Islamic extremism, though the negotiations ended with no incidents. Most of the negotiations were conducted behind closed doors, with only certain pieces of information released to the public. The signing marks the first public revelation of what the Accords contain.
Analysts had speculated that it was effectively certain that there would be requirements that limited the number of soldiers and militias that could be raised, as well as restrictions on native businesses focused on extracting the natural resources of the region. Sanctions were also likely to be discussed.
As one source described it, "They are working to ensure that there will be no Caliphate that can ever form again." Other sources have described it as "economic devastation", and drew comparisons to the Treaty of Versailles in its harshness. "They want the region humiliated forever," said one. "And they're going to get it."
Negotiations have been described as tense between NATO negotiators and regional officials, many of whom were formerly of the Caliphate. Multiple regional officials were removed or arrested on charges of intimidation and terrorism during the negotiations, and new ones brought it. Many speculated that the regional negotiators were unwilling to concede to the demands, and were replaced.
The United Nations has offered to intervene and mediate the negotiations, and have been unilaterally rejected by every single NATO nation, though the regional negotiators asked for "Neutral arbitration". This was rejected by NATO officials, who barred the United Nations from all proceedings.
The newly unveiled Damascus Accords confirm many of the rumors regarding their content. Hailing the Accords as the "First step in achieving lasting stability, prosperity, and security for the Middle East," NATO officials unveiled the terms. The first was that the Caliphate would be broken into independent nations, and returned to their previous forms of government. Ninety percent of all military factories were to be decommissioned, and the remaining ones subject to NATO oversight and regular inspection.
The Accords bar all Middle Eastern nations from soliciting or purchasing foreign weapons, and heavily punishes any nation which sells them to any Caliphate nation. Additional sanctions are levied against all trade for natural resources, effectively removing a critical revenue stream for the region. Only basic necessities like food and medicine are allowed to be freely traded, with significant fines to decentivize unauthorized trade to the region. Officials have stated that there are significant concerns of potential fraud of militant groups, and that working through only sanctioned entities is best for the people of the region.
The many natural resources within the region are only allowed to be extracted through NATO-approved bodies, and already there are arrangements being made for American, Israeli, British, Russian, and Chinese corporations to extract the resources. Only twenty percent of all natural resources are allowed to be reserved for regional nations, which was judged as sufficient to supply their own energy needs. However, officials have promised that a majority of the revenue generated will be returned to the region through charitable and NGO groups. "We do not intend to personally profit off of this," one official said. "The wealth will eventually return to the people."
All Middle Eastern nations have also formally withdrawn from the United Nations, and per the terms of the Accords, are incapable of lobbying for reentry for the next twenty years. This was condemned by the United Nations, who claim they were not consulted. A NATO official provided in a statement "We do not take advice from organizations with no leverage or influence, especially ones which continue to apologize for a terrorist state."
However, NATO did ultimately make a concession, stating that "We will appoint a representative to the United Nations to stand for the region." It was confirmed that NATO would have full control over the choosing of this representative, with no requirement that said representative be from the Middle East.
All soldiers that were captured by NATO forces will not be repatriated to their nations of origin for reasons of security, and instead will be extradited to Israel, Turkey, America, Britain, and other NATO nations upon request to try them for criminal activity. Exceptions were only granted for civilians and government officials.
What is notable is that the Accords had two major aspects it did not cover. The first was Iran, which was exempt from the Accords due to its capture by the Caliphate. Instead an agreement was reached to arrange for the restoration of the Shah, with a NATO-led interim government creating a constitutional monarchy, where elections would be held in the coming months.
While Iran is subject to some restrictions, both Russian and Chinese lobbying convinced NATO to allow significantly greater autonomy, which was agreed to by NATO stakeholders.
The African nations of the Caliphate were also exempt from the Damascus Accords, after French, Italian, and Egyptian officials stated that they had come to multiple separate agreements with the former Caliphate nations after they were cut off from Arabia. This was accepted by NATO leadership and political officials.
Notably, the Accords contain very little in the way of religious restrictions. This was due to concerns about enforcement, and defining exactly what would constitute a reasonable demand or not. Specific religious crimes and overt terror support were banned, but Islam itself remains relatively free to practice - with the exception that it is illegal to appoint a Caliph, or declare a Caliphate or jihad.
The Accords have received a mostly positive, if tempered reaction, as experts suggest that it will effectively ensure a Caliphate will never form again, and curb radical Islam significantly. They have warned that there is a risk of regional instability due to the harsh restrictions, though concede that the appetite for conflict in the region is gone.
This has also proved an encouraging sign for a worsened global economy, as news of oil and resources being extracted has brought the stock market up to record levels. Celebrations have taken place all over the world at the signing of the Accords, as the world celebrates the end to one of the bloodiest wars in recent history, and hope for a new period of peace.
It remains uncertain what the future of Arabia will be, and only time will tell what the long-term effects of the Accords will be.
- Article | "The Damascus Accords Signed, Bringing an End to the War on Terror"
ADVENT Interrogation Session [REDACTED] | The Lion | Interrogator Steen Busk
[Steen Busk]: "Let's discuss the War on Terror."
[The Lion]: "Did you have a pleasant night with a lady yesterday?"
[SB] "I'm afraid we have more important matters to discuss, my personal life not among them. Now, if you could answer the question?"
[L] "The smell of her perfume is rather pungunt, so is the meticulous ironing of your suit. You've not been an interrogator long, no? How ambitious of you, to strive so eagerly for the difficult cases. How high would you like to climb?"
[SB]: "Your imagination is quite impressive, and irrelevant. Answer the question. Now."
[L]: "Your interrogation technique is flawed. But I feel generous, I'm willing to offer a bit of charity to a man in need. I will speak, but first, I want coffee. Kurdish coffee, there's a street downtown. Five stars. Tell them to put half a cup of milk, and six sugars. Might get a cup for yourself."
[SB]: "You'll have to do without today. Answer my questions, and I'll get you your coffee. Deal?"
[L]: "No thank you, I'm quite fine waiting for that cup to arrive. I have all the rest of my life for it."
[SB]: "Let's try this. I have someone get your coffee. While we wait for it, we talk. You get your coffee, I get my answers. Fair?"
[L]: "Much better. Ask."
Transcript Break | Reason: Coffee Order
[SB]: "I'll start with something simple. Did you think you could win?"
[L]: "I'll answer that with another question. Who do you think the Caliph was?"
[SB]: "Abbas Hazeem. The first and only Caliph of the modern era, ascendant to his position while young. A prodigy in religion and psychology, turned religious figurehead. One who despised living in the shadow of the Inheritor King. The Caliph, my friend, was a tyrant. I could use fancier terms, but that is what it comes down to."
[L]"Let us play a thought exercise, if we shall. Your father, interrogator, is the owner of a company. He loves you dearly, he sees in you as much as he sees in your brother. If I handed you a gun, would you kill him?"
[SB]: "Of course not."
[L]: "Your wife is a woman of mediocre social standing. The son she gives you is disabled, low of intelligence, and inept of speech. She is the woman you spent five years with, and your son is four. If I gave you a gun, would you kill them?"
[SB]: "No. Are you going somewhere with this exercise or just trying to determine if I'm a sociopath?"
[L]: "Abbas' father had run away when he was young. His mother died early. The Inheritor King took him under his wing. Loved him like a son, became his father in all but name. How did the Inheritor King die?"
[SB]: "Beheaded by the hands of Shia militias, during a visit to Iran. It is commonly believed, among certain circles, that someone shared his information to them."
[L]: "The Caliph's first wife was not of significant standing. His first child was disabled. He lived with and loved her for five years. How did the Caliph's first wife and son die?"
[SB]: "Assassinated during a service, with several dozen other victims, if I recall. Avant extremists, so it was claimed."
[L]: "The Caliph ordered the killing of the Inheritor King. A false flag. The Caliph let his wife and son be killed in a public tragedy. A chance to purge his political enemies. Tell me, who do you think he is, now?"
[SB]: "A tyrant and a murderer. A sociopath from your description."
[L]: "He was no sociopath. No psychopath. All he was, was a Human with power."
[SB]: "Ordinary Humans do not do the things he carried out."
[L]: "He was, so think. Think closely. Why? Why would he do any of that? Why would an ordinary man do that?"
[SB]: "For power, wealth, ideology. There can be many reasons. Men are driven to many things, but there are few who realize them in the way he did."
[L]: "For greatness. To etch his name into history. To carve it in the annals of time immemorial. Power, wealth, ideology, it meant nothing, if he was not great. Greater than all. His Caliphate would be a god, and he would be its prophet."
[SB]: "Ironically, in that respect he succeeded. He will not be remembered kindly, but he will be remembered."
[L]: "He did not care. He never cared. If he won, he would laugh at the mountain of the dead and butchered. If he lost, then why does it matter? What would he fear? Death? There is nothing beyond death. Defeat? If he lost, so be it. He'd make everyone hurt as badly as he did. He feared one thing. Insignificance. So tell me now, do you believe he wanted a costly war?"
[SB]: "I now question if he considered the cost, logistics, and chances of success or failure at all."
[L]: "The only thing he did not consider was humanity. He saw men as living animals. Little more than clever apes. To play a game with, to have them make tricks at his whims. He controlled fate, mastered it. Think again. Do you believe he wanted a costly war?"
[SB]: "No sane man would desire a costly war, for practical reasons if nothing else. Though it would not deter him."
[L]: "He fell upon his own sword. The image, the rhetoric, the power, the people he gathered, and the state he twisted into an abhorrent, diseased, reflection of himself. The very sword he wielded, cut him. He could not back down. He could not control it. He could not stop it. If he did, he would lose his image and power."
[SB]: "Let's refocus a little bit now. More direct answers if you could. I think this answers how the Caliph viewed the war. What about those beneath him, his generals, advisors, and priests? People like you, for example."
[L]: "It did not matter how we viewed it, or what we wanted. It only mattered what he did. In a flash, he had to act or lose. No advice, no reason, and no logic could change his predicament."
[SB]: "So you knew it was doomed."
[L]: "Yes, it was a pointless, frivolous war."
[SB]: "And yet you fought it all the same. All of the generals and soldiers did. Knowing it was doomed."
[L]: "Have you ever visited the Caliph's palace? The basement wings?"
[SB]: "Not personally, though I've read some of the stories."
[L]: "He hired a cadre of psychologists to design them for him. A series of infrasound microphones ran across them. A series of pipes, designed to be remote activated, leaked droplets of water at a certain interval, usually aimed at whomever was inside the cell. There is no light. There is no color. There are no people."
[SB]: "I've read the specs. Professionally done. Psychologically devastating for inhabitants."
[L]: "Everyone who insisted against the war spent three days in them. No one dared challenge him again. Or so he thought."
[SB]: "No one challenged him publicly. Expected, I suppose."
[L]: "They learnt the lesson, they saw the monster. So they bided their time. They waited; this war would be waged on two fronts. In the light, and in the dark. They had built this Caliphate, and they would die before they let the Caliph twist it."
[SB]: "So the rumors about there being an internal resistance were true. Unfortunate more supported the Caliph - out of fear or otherwise."
[L]: "The rumors were underestimating the scale. Africa was our stronghold, our reserve, our lynchpin. Before he knew it, he would be toppled, and his sycophants hanged. So we waited. For the golden opportunity we knew to come. His ego would be his sword of Damocles, and we'd merely swing it."
[SB]: "I suppose the French-led offensive disrupted these plans."
[L]: "Disrupted. Disrupted. What a kind term. Led to the deaths of millions, led to purges and slaughters and butchery. The offense ruined it all, our banner broken, and our dreams burned. It was nothing short of malice by intent."
[SB]: "From your perspective. Answer honestly - if you were facing a hostile nation, why would you only focus on half of it? No one - the French included - were aware this conspiracy was taking place."
[L]: "Do you sincerely believe that? Do you sincerely think Van Doorn intentionally left that theatre untouched, out of naivete and kindness of his heart? Oh, we both know better."
[SB]: "Mmm. With respect to Van Doorn, that decision was widely criticized inside and outside of NATO circles. I don't know what his rationale for that was, if he had proof of something, I suspect he would have shared it. Feelings weren't enough to deter the French, Italians, or Egyptians."
[L]: "Oh he knew, we made sure of it. We made sure those of relevance were aware. The French and Egyptians and Italians were not of relevance."
[SB]: "A mistake on your part, clearly."
[L]: "No plan survives contact with the enemy. Especially an enemy of an agenda that cares nothing, utterly nothing, of the consequences."
[SB]: "You were behind a number of the regional militias. In fact, for most of your career, that was a project of yours if I remember correctly. Something the Caliph reverted in favor of a centralized army. However, the militias remained part of the Caliphate, though notably played a minor role in the war itself. Why?"
[L]: "Because admitting to the opposite creates a less palatable narrative. Their role was not minor, but far greater, and they were far, far, more willing to lay down their lives, in the name of this war. They were the consistent, and endless, thorn in the Caliph's side. NATO answered to politicians. The Green Flags answered the desire for his head."
[SB]: "Judging from their inability to deliver any meaningful defeat, and the numerous instances where there were rebellions put down, I would contest that. The reason the Green Flags aligned with Van Doorn was because of their inability. I'm not interested in the reasons why they defected - we know them. I'm interested in the reasons that explain their inability in the first place. Equipment loss? Minimal training? Disorganization? Intentional sabotage?"
[L]: "None of these. Simply put, it was the Caliph's own prized bloodhounds. The Caliphate Counter Insurgency Forces. Their families were tortured, their children kidnapped, their wells poisoned, villages bombed with deadly gasses. The CIF had no lines they would not cross, and the militias could not keep up, they could not match them. They could not win this fight. They still fought it, and their presence was a complication that required devotion to erase."
[SB]: "I see. An understandable explanation for how the Caliph was able to keep many of the militias in check. We knew they existed, but they rarely engaged in the war themselves."
[L]: "They did engage, but only once their families were evacuated, or secured behind NATO lines. They prefered quick ambushes, and fast raids. Their success should not be ignored in favor of NATO's conventional firepower."
[SB]: "As Van Doorn seemed to agree, judging from his commendation of the allied militias that helped bring the Caliphate down."
[L]: "Few men fight as hard as those who taste the bite of a tyrant's will. They seemed possessed of an unbreaking spirit at times, and the lack of mercy the CIF gave them? That made them unwilling to cease fighting. Van Doorn used them well."
[SB]: "Indeed he did. Let's shift to another relevant topic. The infamous Commander. Insurgent, terrorist, butcher, depending on who you ask. Rumored to be the one man the Caliph feared. A man who certainly many in the Caliphate feared."
[L]: "Ah yes, the very clever man who cleverly butchered an entire city. How brilliant. Clearly, the deaths of a million plus lives made us less hesitant to fight to the death."
[SB]: "I wouldn't quite downplay the effect he had. There is quite a body of evidence that asserts the opposite of what you imply."
[L]: "He was at once a hindrance and benefit. For every movement he made that helped us, he so ingeniously shot us in the foot. For every name on our hitlist he so kindly killed, his methods created three more. One step forward, and two backward. What hideous pity that man invokes."
[SB]: "I don't believe I've ever heard the word 'pity' ascribed to the Commander of all people."
[L]: "He let the abyss swallow him, drown him, blind him. He became no different, no better, so similar to the very monster he sought to kill. He looked into the dark and it took him. Nothing he ever did fixed anything. What else but pity is there for such a man?"
[SB]: "You're more forgiving of the man than I had expected. How did the Caliph view him? Was he impressed? Fearful of another like him? Or do you not know?"
[L]: "It was something far, far worse. Joy. Joy and anger. How could someone so similar, so aware of the truth of this world, reject him? How dare someone like that, oppose him? For all the world, the Caliph could not understand it. And it angered him."
[SB]: "An irrational response. Was that how he responded to what happened in the war? The victories? Defeats? Damascus? Mecca and Medina?"
[L]: "Remember what I told you, what he thought of defeat and death."
[SB]: "I suppose that answers the question. He maintained this even as NATO was marching into Damascus?"
[L]: "In defeat, he had made a simple plan. The destruction of Mecca and Medina had given him volunteers. Islamophobia was practically standard, acceptable. The road to Damascus was hell, and every last soldier under his banner would die fighting. Time, he had time."
[SB]: "And his plan? Was it his last call to jihad?"
[L]: "The Caliphate machine gun was designed to be durable, rugged, and simple. The epitome of our golden age. It housed three hundred rounds. It could be built with simple tools. We shipped the ammunition. We shipped the designs, and as many parts. Right beneath your noses, they arrived. Each job needed only two men. Across the West, plenty of fanatics accepted the job. Police response time was averaged, ten minutes. Plenty for us."
[SB]: "Was that the plan? Nothing like that happened, unless my memory is failing me."
[L]: "The average number of students in school is around two hundred, to three hundred. A false fire alarm, and they would assemble. Practically lining up. Two machine gunners per school, hundreds of whom had received ammunition and assembled the weapons. Estimated death toll, easily a thousand at the minimum. At best, thousands."
[SB]: "A suicide plan."
[L]: "No, the key to his jail. Islamophobia would be justified. Innocents would be crushed beneath political will. In one, singular, move, he would force his people to fight to the death, or be trampled. Forever more, he would hide, and he would wage war. So long as he lived, he would make everyone suffer, until he won, or he died."
[SB]: "I suppose too much of it was exposed. The FBI, and intelligence services reported several weapons seizures around that period, if I remember correctly. They must have been tied to this plan."
[L]: "The wrong men, in the right place, make all the difference. The plan was flawless, beyond suspicion. One needed to make sure the flaws were those chosen. Idiots. Fools. Fanatics. A push of the domino, and the plan unraveled. As it was intended to do so. He knew then, there was a traitor. He could not escape Damascus. Not unless he found out who."
[SB]: "Did he find the traitor?"
[L]: "He guessed. He placed the assumed traitor into the affectionately named wing of his palace basement, the Breaker Wing, for two months, the traitor was tortured and isolated. Most cracked in three days. The traitor must have gone mad by the sixth. Never had a single man passed the seventh day."
[SB]: "Mmm. Did you know him?"
[L]: "No, I didn't. I knew what he always wore, a silver and gold pin of a Lion. They say he was behind the resistance. The arch traitor. I heard he was placed in the cell for sixty-seven days."
[SB]: "How...coincidental. Sixty-seven days, legends seem to take on a life of their own after a time. Unless of course, you know it was that long."
[L]: "Blatant lies. No man could survive that. No man could live through that. The Caliph liked to scare us, to cow us into submission. In all likelihood, whoever the traitor was, he cracked in four days, and was actually innocent. We hadn't lost any of our staff in that time."
[SB]: "That is right, no one could survive and remain functional. Which, of course, you know."
[L]: "Certainly. For if that rumor was true, whomever it was, had died in the cells. And we knew of no one who did. But the myth held power of its own. It became a living symbol. There was no better name to choose."
[SB]: "...Noted. Now, I have a final question, a more personal one if you're willing to answer."
[L]: "Yes?"
[SB]: "A summation on your feelings towards the war. The conflict, the victories and defeats, the Caliphate, the destruction of Mecca. No analysis, just your own perspective, not anyone else's."
[L]: "Ah, your masters do certainly love to get into people's heads. A pleasant hobby, I'm sure."
[SB]: "Trust me, you've said enough for us to put a relatively accurate model on your opinions already. We can either do that, or you can tell us in your own words. For the record, of course."
[L]: "I am a generous man, but my generosity has limits. An offer: coffee, daily, and I'll tell you. You can add it to my tab. I'm sure ADVENT can afford it. I want it at seven AM, sharp."
[SB]: "If we can't afford coffee, we're in a bad place indeed. You'll get your coffee."
[L]: "War is an inherently selfish enterprise. One wages war to take and retake. The Caliph's hunger had become a threat. Every attack, every suicide bomber, every civilian dead, that was an insult, a challenge that could not stand. He had taken away the sense of safety, and it had to be retaken. Yet, that alone was not worth the price to be paid. Do you know the value of the Middle East's oil wealth?"
[SB]: "I hope you're not insinuating that the Caliphate was a victim of a fictitious Western aggression, are you?
[L]: "I hope you're aware that a single supersonic missile, of which hundreds were used, is worth several million dollars. I am flattered, truly, that you think killing us is worth millions. But the expenses paid had to be recouped. Gains needed to be made. The value lost must be returned, else it is pointless."
[SB]: "Noted. Continue."
[L]: "Two trillion dollars worth of current oil profits, alone. The contracts for manufacturing of weapons, worth a two hundred percent increase in military industrial profit. Africa, an inroad to mineral and luxury wealth. Greed, desire, hunger, and the removal of the threat. Has there ever been a more perfect maelstrom to power war?"
[SB]: "One the Caliph gleefully started."
[L]: "He was no different. He simply planned to be the one to pillage and plunder. He fully endorsed the idea; it was only natural for the predator to strip his prey to the bone and devour even that. What better war, after all, than one waged for self interest, for power and greed and the destruction of the enemy without mercy?"
[SB]: "So that is your view on it? Pointless and wasteful in the end? No other commentary?"
[L]: "What did it fix? The scars from the tyrant's claws still wept in blood. The terrorists had left your homes, and now haunted ours. Our people scavenged the trash in winter, and begged for water in summer. The tyrant was dead, and he still had the last laugh from the grave. Our people scorned, sanctioned, derided, profiled, and left to die, their homeland a perpetual warzone. Is that what victory looks like to you?"
[SB]: "Not one of the cleaner ones, for sure."
[L]: "You have a penchant for understatements."
[SB]: "I've gotten that before. And I believe your coffee has now arrived. I think this is a good time for a break. Agreed?"
[L]: "Yes, please. I have missed my cell. The walls are a stunning white. You wouldn't believe it."
[SB]: "Your sense of humor is as sharp as always. Another good chat, ADVENT appreciates your cooperation."
Transcript Ends