It lasts just a month

18th January 2017

The Middle East was no stranger to warfare, due to the tribalistic nature of many Islamic societies in the region. Once it was dominated by the Eastern Roman Empire, which came to be known as Byzantium or the Byzantine Empire, which lasted until the early renaissance era in the 15th century when it was snuffed out for the final time by the Ottoman Turks, who then established the Ottoman Empire and dominated the region until their dissolution after World War I.

When the Ottoman Empire lost in World War I, it also lost much of its territory in its dissolution following the postwar treaties it signed as the defeated party, only controlling its lands in Asia Minor. Barely a few years afterwards, the Young Turk Revolution was orchestrated by Mustafa Kemal Pasha, a military officer who became critical of the Empire and who sought to protect the country from further partition by occupational forces.

It was through his efforts that the remnants of the Ottoman Empire were rallied, and through money and weapons sent by the Soviet Union, was able to build up an army once he rallied popular political and military support. Armenians, Italians, French, Greeks, he drove them all back, and after signing a peace treaty with the Allies in July 1923, which recognised the newly independent Republic of Turkey, which has since embraced a more secular path to progress.

Now, things were being shaken up again and conflict raging once again, and this time it was a new Israeli-Arab war, one that many believed was decades in the making.

When the missile strikes over Israel made breaking news, it shocked the entire world to know Israel was just inches from annihilation, stopped only by its formidable Iron Dome defence system with no casualties or damage. Even more shocking was the fact that Israel girded itself for war once again, moving troops, tanks, aircraft and ships.

There were many who protested in spite of the missile attacks on Israel, believing the country using it as a flimsy excuse to conquer and annex its countries. Many more protested against the attacking Arab states, believing this an unwarranted attack. Many governments around the world either remained silent or condemned the missile attack, while Muslim governments in the Middle East called for peace and for Israel to cease and desist.

No one made any statement of support for Israel's war - not in this world that believed in the idea of peace.

Least of all Liberia.

"I never thought this would be happening."

Aviel sat watching the TV screen with conflicting feelings, unable to comprehend the chain of unlikely events that occurred in quick succession.

"There's too many things that don't make sense," She repeated to herself, "Why would the Arab states suddenly launch a missile attack out of nowhere? There was nothing that indicated such, and they weren't too keen on disrupting the state of things."

In fact, in spite of the Muslim generational hate of Jews as taught by the clergy and society, no one truly wanted to rock the boat by starting a war of all things. At most, civil wars were the wars that the West allowed to go on, the hypocritical bastards.

Though Palestine made much more sense; Hamas could never let lie the fact that the Jews occupied former Palestinian territory, regardless of however the Palestinians felt about their sporadic missile attacks.

"What I'm more concerned about is why is Barnabas choosing to declare war," Wakeyo commented, his brow furrowed deeply, "I don't know much about him, but I highly doubt the people would want a warmonger in charge."

"Yes, and that's what concerns me," Aviel nodded in agreement, "Who knows what happens next?"

And despite counting Liberia as her second home, she still held longing for her birth country, keeping up-to-date with the latest events in Israel and hoping there would be news of her surviving family.

"As much as I hate to say this, what happens in Israel's out of our hands, and... not our immediate concern," Wakeyo said, casting a glance towards Aviel.

Aviel reluctantly nodded, "Yes, I suppose that's the case."

She heaved a sigh, then asked Amos, "Amos, how are the dockyards and airfields coming along?"

"Smoothly with no delays," Amos remarked, "I'd say too smoothly considering possibilities of delays, but in this case it's a good thing; the new merchant navies are facilitating maritime trade and bringing in a lot of imported goods quickly taking our country by storm, but our own goods are also beginning to sell well. Our new commercial airlines too, with an uptick in tourists and expats visiting our country."

"And yet, I think we now have to worry about border security," Wakeyo informed, "Tobiah told me that there's been trouble near the Guinean side of the border and refugees were seen trying to approach Liberia without success."

Guinea was a small West African country to the northeast of Liberia, one that recently was embroiled in much political turmoil as the bureaucrats and military frequently butted heads over conflicting interests, corruption and all manner of Human crimes running rampant including female genital mutilation, a practice that sadly remains a common practice in many African countries.

Alone it was not a truly powerful country, but as of late the military was gaining rapid traction, a general Kairaba Guiss rallying popular support on promises of economic reform and rooting out of corruption. Aviel and the rest of the Liberian Congress was skeptical, for African generals never delivered on such promises.

"For now, we continue our economic reforms as per normal, but we should also get to modernising our defences," Aviel concluded, "In the meantime, have our Israeli contacts monitor the war and relay us any and all important information we need to know."

"Of course, Aviel," Wakeyo nodded.

"You can count on us," Amos affirmed.

Aviel's mind raced as she struggled to comprehend the reality of the situation in Israel; just what had possessed whoever launched the missile attacks to go through with it? So much of this did not make sense, it reminded her of the impossibilities that empowered her party and allowed her to ascend as president of Liberia and remove all political opposition.

It's almost as if Barnabas has help from an unknown source, but who? She thought, Wait... it can't be...!

Aviel remembered that anyone's name she knew, she could easily search using the Affection Multiplier to find out his particulars, and whipping out her phone she typed in Barnabas Angel's name, hoping to get answers.

The one she received made her stomach churn.

Function does not apply to other users of the Affection Multiplier.

It both gave her an answer and posed more questions, and Aviel suddenly frowned heavily in confusion and annoyance. To think the app that helped her so much also helped this man rise to power...

Exactly how the hell does this app choose its users? It doesn't choose any Tom, Dick and Harry, that's for sure.

Unless the app developers answered her questions, she doubted she would know anytime soon.

17th February 2017

Israel won the war against all odds.

It was a month of intense fighting as all of Israel's neighbours fought tooth and nail against the Israeli aggressors, but through the skill, tenacity and flexibility of the IDF, Israel triumphed and accomplished a complete and total victory, so the official statements read as given to the media.

In reality, even if Israel could make swift gains in the initial phase of the war, it would easily take several months to push to the extent the IDF did, and even then they would have sustained heavy casualties in the process; the IDF lost only a dozen vehicles, a battalion of troops and a dozen aircraft.

Further compounding the absurdity of the war's outcome was the fact that the entire bureaucratic and military leadership of Syria, Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan had been killed in bombings, and as a result these countries were completely leaderless and **** to coups and invasions by other countries. To prevent the rise of another ISIS-equivalent (and possibly to grow their power), Israel occupied these countries much to the recalcitrance of the locals.

Military experts throughout the world struggled to comprehend the absurdity of it all, consuming migraine pills and **** in devastating amounts as a coping mechanism. Others simply gave up and slept it away.

Aviel was the only one who took it in stride, knowing the true answer.

"Should we really just let this slide, Aviel?" Wakeyo questioned, "I mean..."

"I know what you want to say, Wakeyo," Aviel interjected, "And believe me, I know. But as you said last time, it's out of our hands. Right now, we've more pressing concerns at home."

"Yes, the fact that Guinean refugees are fleeing into Liberia," Wakeyo nodded grimly, "The general's been demanding that we hand the refugees back."

"That won't happen," Aviel declared resolutely, "I know enough of his type that he won't leave a growing power on his doorstep in peace."

"Thankfully, our defences are up to standard," Wakeyo stated, "I suppose if this General Kairaba Buiss does choose to declare war, we can steamroll him, no drama."

"I hope so," Aviel said.