The alternate history told below is heavily based on and inspired by the story campaign of the 2003 Real Time Strategy game Command and Conquer: Generals, reimagined to better suit the tactics, procedures, and cultures of real life military organizations. After spending about six hours on the idea, I have decided that I might as well release some of the text. Enjoy!

Comrade General, your tireless service to the People's Republic meets and exceeds all expectations. You have been authorized to unleash our full technological might upon the enemy of the civilized world, the self-declared Global Liberation Army. Our low to medium yield tactical nuclear arsenal is at your disposal at a moment's notice. Our fleet of experimental super heavy armored battle platforms arrived overnight. They are assembling as we speak, expected to be combat ready this evening. Good luck, Comrade General. Strike hard and without mercy.

General, the folks in DC are impressed with your performance so far! They've authorized you with the use of some in-theater assets. Keep it up and we'll all be at your promotion ceremony. Show 'em why we're here!

Where were you when Beijing disappeared?

October 10: A terrorist group calling itself the Global Liberation Army has proudly claimed responsibility for the Tiananmen Square attack that took countless lives and reduced the heart of Beijing- and centuries of cultural heritage- to ash. A Chinese People's Army division marches on Hong Kong to liberate the convention center from a GLA cell that has taken shelter within its vast halls. Intelligence estimates predict a long and costly siege ahead.

November 29: This morning, two MiG-39s belonging to the 8th Fighter Brigade, People's Army Air Force, attempted to destroy a GLA chemical and biological weapons plant on the banks of the Yellow River. Due to dense cloud cover, they could not accurately deliver their munitions without flying low and exposing themselves to nearby MANPADS nests. We do not yet have reliable satellite guidance for our air dropped bombs like the Americans. The facility remains standing. Only the wingman returned, and the maintenance team is still counting the holes in his aircraft. We must put a strike team on the ground to destroy the MANPADS stockpiles in preparation for a second attack. Time is of the essence, Comrade General.

December 18: A powerful ally and good friend has entered the war. They have brought with them their heavy strategic bombers operating from their base in the Indian Ocean. Nowhere is safe for the GLA to hide.

Commander, the fruits of our righteous struggle are plentiful. Men of courage and faith across the world have pledged bayah to you and to our cause. Many of them have already proven their value in combat while leading groups who share our hardships, and they humbly offer their own tools and knowledge to our aid. The global crusaders may believe they are safe in their warplanes and their tanks but we can make the whole planet unsafe for them and those they hold most dear.

The self-styled GLA, now known to bear responsibility for devastating terror attacks across China, the European Union, the United States, and the Arab world, is considered extremely dangerous. Their leadership now sits at the top of every international Most Wanted list on the planet. Our men and women in uniform will not tire in pursuing them to the ends of the earth until the entire terror organization is dismantled or brought to justice.

January 18: A deplorable ballistic missile attack has struck a crowded bazaar in downtown Baghdad. The missiles are believed to have been chemical tipped. Decontamination teams are already en route. Point of origin has been geolocated in the mountain range north of the city. Standby for national tasking.

January 31: A U.S. division has been ambushed in the Hindu Kush mountain range. Heavy casualties reported. A deployed detachment of Comanche attack helicopters at a small forward air base is the closest air support available. They will cover the retreat and regrouping of US forces pending the arrival of additional air assets in the area.

February 17: A task force around the USS Wasp is on station in the Caspian Sea to stage an amphibious landing against several coastal towns known to be harboring GLA training facilities. The Air Force's participation will consist of F-22s from the 94th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron operating out of Turkey and B-1s and B-52s based in the UK. Local governments have proven unable to contain the GLA: their involvement in the operation is to be kept to a bare minimum. Good hunting, General!

This is more or less a throwaway idea but it's proven fun to write. Will add further updates as I see fit.

Thanks for reading!