Triumvirate
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| Foundation & Leadership | 1950s, .svg){kind=small} Italy |
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| Dominant Ideologies | Fascism, Despotism, Paternalism and few democratic ideologies |
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The Triumvirate is a multilateral military alliance and economic sphere founded in the 1950s by the Italian Empire, Iberian Union and the Republic of Turkey with the objectives of dissuading German acts of aggression - in addition to securing their possessions obtained during the Second World War. Its members are are the three preeminent powers of the Mediterranean and their respective satellites. Though nominally an alliance of equals, the Triumvirate was established unofficially and remains an Italian dominated sphere, much to the chagrin of its member states. Animosity between the Triumvirs grow by the day.
Tensions, though always present in the alliance, have become increasingly tenuous by 1962. Both the Iberian Union and Republic of Turkey grow increasingly dissatisfied with their perceived Italian domination of the Triumvirate, Italian control over the Suez Canal remains the primary flashpoint. Additionally, though Algeria is De Jure French, both Iberian and Italian settlers compete over the remains of the colony which France has been unable to secure. Italian support of a Greek support remains another Issue, as well as the occupation of the Dodecanese and border disputes in the Levant. Italian high command has increasingly considered Turkey less of an ally, but instead a potential foe.
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Triumvirate Founder | (Italian Empire)
Of all of the conquests and victories Italy enjoyed during the twentieth century, many consider the formation of the Triumvirate to be the greatest among them. The diplomatic pride and joy of the Empire, the Triumvirate is- on paper- merely a defensive pact around the Mediterranean for mutual protection against the German Reich to their north. In practice, however, it was a masterstroke for Italian foreign policy. Italy's central place in the Mediterranean, and the bounty from her overseas Empire has granted her the unofficial position of first among equals amidst the Triumvirate's Founders. The alliance has been on the decline, and as Italy seems to be its primary beneficiary, she is also the nation that has been fighting the hardest to keep it intact. Their Iberian and Turkish allies have not seem the diplomatic fruits of the partnership though, and without drastic action, this Italian bloc in all but name may indeed be reduced to merely Italy and her puppets. (Iberian Union) Of the three Founders of the Triumvirate, the Iberian Union faced the most direct peril at the hands of the rampaging Germans. They seized the former Portuguese colonies in Africa by force, after all, and then they tried to foist the Gibraltar dam upon them, a project that would have only brought misery upon Iberia and all the nations of the Mediterranean. What was a project in power projection for Italy and a way to shore up border concerns for Turkey was a matter of survival for Iberia, and as such Iberia fought for the formation and maintenance of the Triumvirate since its inception. But times are different now. The Germans seem to be retracting inwards these days, or at least stagnating somewhat, and Iberia no longer feels the existential threat of the Reich loom over them so heavily anymore. Now it is the time to ask what Iberia's ambitions are, and whether or not the Triumvirate is conducive to those aims. And if it's not, then perhaps it might be time to graduate beyond being a supporting actor behind the Italians on the world stage. (Republic of Turkey) The Republic of Turkey, unlike her western counterparts in Italy and Iberia, found herself aligning with the Italians and their Triumvirate not necessarily out of fear of the Germans to the north, but out of a need to secure their borders and foreign policy so they could focus on the nation's internal struggles. The Twentieth Century has seen great gains for the Young Republic, but with their massive successes, they have also gained much in the way of burdens, namely in the area of regional minorities that struggle ceaselessly against the nation. Turkey has needed breathing room to deals with these threats, and if nothing else the Triumvirate has provided exactly that. But times change, and to survive, nations need to adapt to those changes. The Triumvirate is, to put it bluntly, a dying alliance. It no longer offers the security or support to Turkey that it once did, having evolved into a vanity project of Italian duces over the years. Turkey once again strains within her borders, and looks to break out of the constraints that the nature of their alliance places upon them. |
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Triumvirate Member | There are three founders of the Triumvirate, that is where the name comes from after all. However, in spite of that, the alliance encompasses more than merely Italy, Iberia, Turkey, and their respective puppets. A number of smaller nations find themselves in the orbit of one or more of these secondary powers and have, for one reason or another, petitioned the Founders for induction into the Triumvirate as a junior partner.
These nations maintain their legal autonomy and independence, but find their interests largely subordinated to that of the "Big Three" members of the Triumvirate both economically and in terms of foreign policy. This is all, of course, in exchange for the protection and security that the Triumvirate provides. Even still, many consider the inclusion within the Triumvirate to be more of a burden than an aid, because while they maintain their technical sovereignty over their own borders, everyone knows that Rome, Istanbul and Madrid hold significant sway over the politicians in every one of the minor nations that seek out the Triumvirate. |
GDP Growth Boost:5% | |
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Triumvirate Client Member | Legally speaking, the various client states, puppet regimes, and regional authorities of the Triumvirate represent less of a junior or underclass of nations within the Triumvirate, and something more akin to tumors or growths off of their parent nations. The legal status of client states within the Triumvirate is murky, with the Founders desiring recognition for the full membership of their vassals, while also seeking to prevent the other two from doing the same.
For this reason, the status of clients and subordinate nations and regions will remain a grey area from now until the end of the alliance, which may be fast approaching. Despite how little they truly gain from the alliance, the Triumvirate has thus far kept their master nations restrained and at peace with one another, but with the disintegration of the Triumvirate looking as likely as it is now, the smallest of nations much to fear as the local juggernauts begin sharpening their knives. |
GDP Growth Boost: -2.5% | |
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Triumvirate Observer | Where the Triumvirate's reach extends beyond the Mediterranean, there can be found the associated nations known as Triumvirate Observers. Though not formal members of the alliance, they still take part in its activities and benefit from cooperation. Someday, these nations may seek to join the Triumvirate as full members... If the bloc can last that long, that is. | GDP Growth Boost: 2.5% |