The Atlasian-International Journal

[Senator Ben]

Netanyahu: UN better not ratify Palestinian Statehood
September 18, 2011

In a shocking display of arrogance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to threaten the United Nations on Sunday, saying there would be “significant trouble” if the bill for Palestinian Statehood was passed.  Netanyahu elaborated, noting that “the idea of Palestinian Statehood being ratified against Israel’s wishes is preposterous.  Israel will not stand for it.”

The international reaction to Netanyahu’s statement was universally negative.  British Foreign Minister William Hague called Netanyahu “completely out of line.”  Ahmet Davutoğlu, the Turkish Foreign Minister, called the statement “further evidence of Israeli bellicosity.”  Atlasian SoEA Ben said that Netanyahu “must understand that he has done nothing to help the peace process along.  He will have to deal with the consequences.”  An official at the DoEA, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that “[Ben] is livid with Netanyahu, because he is making [Ben]’s job more difficult.”

The UN is expected to soon begin discussing the Palestinian resolution, and it is unclear if the resolution will be vetoed by the Security Council; SoEA Ben categorically denied that Atlasia would exercise its veto, although he said that “no decision has been reached yet.”

[Senator Ben]

Protests in Yemen over Awlaki death
October 2, 2011

Protesters have taken to the streets throughout Yemen, criticizing the Yemeni and Atlasian governments for the killing on terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki by a drone strike.  The protesters focused on Awlaki's Yemeni heritage, arguing that the government should have "protected one of their own", as an anonymous protester said.  The protesters were generally peaceful, although several arrests were made.

Awlaki, considered the leader of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, was an Atlasian born Imam who relocated to Yemen after 9/11.  A previous attempt in May to kill Awlaki had resulted in killing two other Al-Qaeda operatives.

[Senator Ben]

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi Captured
October 26, 2011

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the second son of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his second wife Safia Farkash, as well as the dead Colonel's presumed successor, was captured today by NTC rebel forces.  al-Islam was nearing the border with Niger when he was apprehended, apparently with a leg injured during the raid that killed his father late last week.  Contrary to earlier reports, both of his arms remained intact.

al-Islam, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court in The Hague for crimes against humanity, will be extradited once he is deemed medically fit to stand trial.  Ali Tarhouni, the interim Prime Minister of Libya, announced the intention to extradite al-Islam in a short statement, noting that, "Libya will follow international law.  We must live up to the ideals we have set for ourselves."

[Senator Ben]

South Sudan, Somaliland, officially enter GTO
November 8, 2011

South Sudan and Somaliland, two nations which had earlier been approved for entry by Atlasia into the Global Treaty Organization, officially became members today.  The GTO met in full session in New York City today, and officially voted on the two petitions for membership.  Both countries met the 4/5 majority.

Somaliland was unanimously admitted, while South Sudan faced a more difficult vote.  "[Secretary of External Affairs] Ben had to work hard to convince enough countries to let South Sudan in.  He really stuck his neck out for them" said an anonymous DoEA official.

Somaliland vote tally (40 for, 0 against):
Atlasia
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
India
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portgual
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom

South Sudan vote tally (34 for, 6 against):
Atlasia
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
India
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portgual
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom

[Senator Ben]

Britain Considering Leaving EU
December 9, 2011

Following Prime Minister David Cameron's veto of a new EU treaty, which forced the EU to restrict its passage to only the 17 member Eurozone, as opposed to the full 27 member European Union, anonymous sources within the British government let slip that Mr. Cameron is considering abandoning the EU altogether.

"We're damn sick of all these problems.  We're being asked to give up our own sovereignty because of problems caused by irresponsible nations.  We are being punished for no reason," said an anonymous source within the Cameron Government.

While the move was popular with Cameron's conservative constituency, it was less popular outside the UK.  A source close to French President Sarkozy, in addition to releasing a stream of expletives, called Cameron's move "politically motivated and shortsighted."

In Atlasia, there is also displeasure.  A source close to the SoEA, who will be leaving on a trip to Brussels on Monday, said that the SoEA "cannot believe that [Cameron] did this.  The SoEA will, while in Brussels, attempt to change Cameron's mind.  However, it's a difficult position for [the SoEA], because of his relationship with Cameron, and his personal ideas about the EU."

[Yelnoc]

Let's hope the EU meltdown is handled realistically

[Senator Ben]

Iraqi Prime Minister Killed
December 18, 2011

Earlier today, 7 months to the day after a failed assassination attempt, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was shot dead while leaving the Iraqi Parliament.  Al-Maliki, who less than two weeks ago oversaw the departure of the final Atlasian troops stationed in Iraq, received four bullet wounds; two in the head, one in the left shoulder, and one in his right knee.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.  His assailant was unidentified and fled the scene, blending in with onlookers.

Secretary of External Affairs Ben, from Brussels, called the shooting, "a tragedy.  Nouri al-Maliki was a good man, and it saddens me to learn of his passing."  He did not mention Atlasia's recent departure, and when asked, commented, "Now is not the time to discuss this."  He also said that he intends to remain in Brussels in order to continue hammering out a deal with the Eurozone nations and the United Kingdom, who have experienced friction of late.

[Senator Kalwejt]

I'm joining all Iraqi patriots in celebrating demise of an infamous traitor

[Senator Ben]

SoEA leaves Brussels, heads to Seoul
December 20, 2011

Secretary of External Affairs Ben, despite previously announcing an extended stay in Brussels to help hammer out an EU compromise, has flown to Seoul, South Korea following the death of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il.  An aide, speaking anonymously, noted, "He [Ben] is deeply concerned.  He sees Kim's death as an omen of instability, and wants to make sure South Korea is ready."  The aide also noted, "Between this an al-Maliki's death on Sunday, it's going to be a stretch of upheaval coming up; Ben is terrified of that prospect."

[Senator Ben]

Source: UK to hold vote on leaving EU
January 15, 2012

An unnamed member of David Cameron's Cabinet has informed the A-IJ that Cameron will propose a vote in the House of Commons within a month on leaving the EU entirely.  While nonbinding, the vote signals Cameron's growing disenchantment with the EU.  In early December anonymous sources had hinted at just this - and those rumors have not died down.

[Senator Ben]

European Union close to adopting radical changes
February 12, 2012

In a new treaty to be potentially announced this week, the European Union will see the most radical changes made in its history.  These changes would include shifting a significant amount of control to the European Central Bank, including giving it veto power over any budget in the EU that is not running a budget surplus for the upcoming fiscal year, as well as forcing every nation in the European Union to adopt the Euro, which would require Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Sweden, and the United Kingdom to all switch over to the new currency.

[Senator Ben]

Serbia likely to join EU soon, says Source
February 26, 2012

Serbia, which has spent years trying to get into the EU, will likely be admitted within the next few months, a source within the EU tells the A-IJ.  In light of Serbia's recent agreement with Kosovo over Kosovo's status, a major block to Serbian membership has been lifted, the source says.

This may be the lesser of two important changes in EU membership to come, as it appears increasingly likely that Great Britain will be leaving the EU, especially if the organization ratifies the changes mentioned in the 2/12 edition of the A-IJ.

[Senator Ben]

Atlasia will not name new World Bank President
March 27, 2012

Despite traditionally having appointed each leader of the World Bank, Atlasia will not be naming a successor to Robert B. Zoellick, who has led the Bank since 2007 and is stepping down.  This opens the position up to a member of the increasingly powerful BRIC nations, or someone like Mehmet Şimşek, the Turkish Finance Minister.

[Senator Ben]

Iran to make major announcement in coming days
April 23, 2012

Later this week, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is expected to make a major announcement in a speech to Iran's Parliament.  The nature of the announcement is unknown, although some believe it has to do with the recent conflict between President Ahmadinejad and the Ayatollah.

[A-Bob]

Will the UK vote to leave the EU?

[Senator Ben]

Will the UK vote to leave the EU?

It's especially doubtful now that I'm out of office