[i]Gaza, Palestine province[/i]

[i]Palace of the Republic[/i]

[hr]

President Youssef al-Naoud was pacing around his desk again. He always did that, especially when so much was going on inside his head. To him, ideas in his head were like gas particles in a container, or like ricocheting bullets - always on the move, never stopping, colliding constantly with his skull. 

"Mr. President?"

"Ah!" Youssef was abruptly thrown out of his intellectual reverie when a small, diminutive woman in a red blazer appeared at his door clutching a thin folder.

"Aliyah, Aliyah! Come in. What is it, dear?"

"Aldoran has invaded the Turkestani states, sir." Aliyah handed the folder to the President as his eyebrows went up.

"But that is unacceptable. We have economic interests in that region."

"Vorehm has condemned the invasion, sir, and has sent troops to aid the rebel groups."

"No, no, no, no." The 65-year-old sat down and buried his face in his hands. The day had just started and the world was falling apart already. "We already have trade ties and numerous economic grants with the Turkestani Union. Without their help, we would have never gotten this country on its feet. Contrary to what those buffoons in parliament say, the military alone will not support this fledgling country. I was there during the war, when we took Beirut, and the men we have now aren't half the warriors we were then. Draft a statement of condemnation immediately. Judea will not stand for this."

"Right away, sir. Oh, and one more thing."

"What?"

"Just the other day, sir, in New Ilya, the police shot an imam. In a public market. The people are... somewhat discontent with this form of discipline, sir."

Youssef rubbed his eyes and temples and exhaled deeply. 

"Why was he not sent to a reeducation center?"

"The chief of police there, sir, his name is Abdul Shahmeni. He's a hardcore atheist, sir, and has encouraged a sort of... vigilantism among the ranks."

"Appoint a meeting with him immediately. If this continues, the people will see these religious leaders not as misguided people but martyrs. This country is falling apa--Aliyah, [i]what is that?[/i]"

Aliyah grasped her hijab tightly.

"I told you, no religious symbols in the palace."

"Sir, this--"

"Oh, don't tell me [i]you believe in God.[/i]" Youssef stood up in his seat, with a fire in his eyes Aliyah had never seen before.

"I would n-never, sir! I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Give me that."

"Sir?"

"I said [i]give it.[/i]"

Reluctantly, Aliyah pulled her hijab off her head, letting her curly locks fall to the ground, and handed over the bundle of cloth to Youssef, who took it from her with an abrupt snatch. After a few more seconds, the president spoke in an oddly fierce tone.

"I know your father was an imam, Aliyah, and an ardent Palestinian nationalist, but he has since been reeducated and reformed to serve the Republic. Cultural identity has no place in this country. It is a sense of entitlement, the selfish need to tout your nationality, that caused the great split between the Palestinians and the Zionists. You are neither a Palestinian nor a Muslim, Aliyah, but a Judean. Never forget that."

Aliyah stood silent with her head bowed. "Yes, sir."

"Now go, and draft that statement. Schedule a meeting with the New Ilyan police chief."

"At once, sir."

Aliyah found herself outside the great big cedar doors of the Presidential Office, with two assignments to do and a mental reminder to buy a hair band.

[hr]

[center][i]

The Republic of Judea officially condemns the recent Aldoranian military interventions in the Turkestani Union. Such measures will not serve to stabilize the region, but rather will be the cause of its further spiral into chaos and instability. The recent world war is still fresh in the minds of many all around the world. Would Aldoran want to destroy yet more lives in this meaningless, yet avoidable conflict? We strongly urge the withdrawal of all foreign troops in the area, and war reparations for damage done. 

As for any potential Vornehm activities to aid or arm the rebel groups within Turkestan, your actions are well-intended, but ultimately destructive and unhelpful. Do not escalate the situation.

Glory to al-Dalayah. Let us push for peace.

- Office of the President, Palace of the Republic, Republic of Judea [/i][/center]