Han Solo

Reserved.

Forum Name: ... Favorite Rule: lolweiner Gang/Crew Name: The Leoni Syndicate Crew Type: Italian Mafia Allowed Race/Ethnicities: Anyone of Italian descent or invited by leading members of the Mafia. Leader Name: Godfather Ottavio Leoni Five Leader traits (Cruel, sly, strong, etc): Disciplined, Honorable, Cruel, Respected, Intelligent Mark where you'd like to set up HQ (keep it relevant to your gang info, such as no Mexicans in Chinatown for their HQ):

Headmaster Austentine looks over several applications and nods his head in approval ((Already have a location but it'll take renovation so to speak)) Austentine stamps the application in approval, eager to have a magic teacher on board. Austentine smiles at the news of a student application. He approves it and starts drafting an admissions exam. Because of her economic background, he sees fit to give her a scholarship for her first semester and the fact that she is the first student applying. Austentine reads over this application several times. It is well-written and since he has a fond passion for Alchemy, he quickly stamps accepted. He also would send a letter to her notifying her the location of the University. ((Through PMs)) "Ah, a Librarian. I think we can have him as both a combat instructor and a Librarian." Austentine stamps his application in approval. ((The location of the University was kept secret for a reason, but everyone accepted will be given directions. Thanks for applying!))

The University Several posters advertising the University are found around nation capitals. The University is a place of learning, knowledge, discipline, and enlightenment. Here you can pursue your dream career and get a formal education on just about every subject you can imagine! Our job is to connect hardworking students with prestigious teachers and to enlighten the population across Athera. Everyone is welcome to learn, and those qualified enough are invited to teach. -=- The University is founded upon these basic principles: 1) Everyone is at the University to learn. Even I, the Headmaster. The University does not only dabble in a student's education, but it also strives to make everyone more intelligent and knowledgeable, including staff. Here, the teachers can continue or start their own research with the aid of the students. The University is a place of discovery. 2) Anyone can receive an education. Respect plays a huge role in the University. We do not turn away students based on race, religion, age, or gender. If you pass the admissions and can pay your set tuition, you are allowed to attend. 3) Knowledge is neutral. We do not align ourselves with a certain nation or group. All members from all nations can come and learn, but none will have our support in a conflict, and none shall be harmed by us. We are a non-biased non-profit organization. -=- What we teach: It all depends on the number of teachers and the collective knowledge we have. We do not have a set in stone curriculum on any subject and allow the teachers of one course to decide on a curriculum together. If we only have one teacher that teaches Alchemy, then we will only teach alchemy. If we have a hundred teachers that teach a everything from Astronomy to Electric Evocation, than we will teach all of those things. We would think it a great disservice to teach something we do not fully understand ourselves. Finances: Attending the University sadly does cost money, however we try to trim it down wherever we can. The University is completely non-profit and the only thing that covers our expenses (paying teachers, purchasing materials, etc) is covered by donations and tuition. The fee for tuition is determined by your admissions exam. Score well, it can be as low as ten mina per elven month. Do poorly, and it can be as high as a thousand mina per elven month. Hardworking pays off at the University, but we also give out scholarships to the most bright students who cannot afford an education. Each year, we set aside money as scholarship funds and award it to the less-wealthy, brighter students. Also, I and the higher-up staff do not get paid at all, aside from lodging and food. Recruiting: If you are interested at teaching at the University, please fill out an application below. Also note that we pay teachers based on our tuition rates for students, so in the beginning, income may be a little slow. You can apply to teach whatever you want, Admissions: If you would like to be a student and attend the University, please fill out an application below. If you state a profession you want to pursue, but there are no teachers available to teach it, you can take your exam anyways to determine your tuition. Tuition is paid after you start learning and there are no other fees. The University also provides shelter and housing for those who need/desire it. - Headmaster Austentine Cothe Applications: Teacher: OOC - Minecraft IGN RP - Character Name: Age: Race/Gender: What you would like to teach: Experience on Subject: Willing to prepare a demonstration (Y/N): Current Occupation (if one): Student: OOC - Minecraft IGN: RP- Character Name: Age: Race/Gender: What would you like to learn?: Economic Background (Poor, Middleclass, or Rich?): List of Available Curriculum: N/A

Sons of Liberty - Nationalist Rebels Toledo, Ohio: A man in a blue, buttoned down coat entered a small, homely inn. He studied the room around him. The inn was unusually packed with rabble-rousers and people without a real purpose - nobodies who were at one point somebodies. As the people noticed he entered, an eerie silence filled not just the inn, but somehow the entire town. Some people even saluted. A young boy - no older than seventeen grinned profusely. He ran up right towards the man and gave his report. "Mister President. We have the arms. They were well hidden in several crates and the Marines that guard the armory were sympathetic to our cause. Let us pass right through. Hell, we even recruited them. We have about a thousand-five hundred good an' trained men - all ready to fight for our freedom. We have enough M16s for all of 'em, and we even got some of them armored humvees if we need it." The President nodded, and smiled at the boy. "Of course we'll need the Humvees, Jeff. We'll need everything." The former U.S President was now the head of the movement, ready to rebel against the newfound merger and wanting a total unification of the former 50 states of America. He stood upon a podium, pulled out an honorary replica of a Japanese Katana he earned for serving his time in the U.S Army, and stabbed it into the ground and grinned. "Ladies and Gentlemen. The town is ours!" The Crowd laughed at the light joke since pretty much every resident in the small town sided with the Rebels. The President winked and continued, "Those at the top levels of our government have betrayed the trust of the American people! We do not want to combine our nation with a former Communist power. We shouldn't even be involved in Europe or Asia and instead focus on making our God Blessed nation great once more!" The crowd clapped and roared in approval. "In our Declaration of Independence, it states that "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. We have the right to rebel!" He slams his fist on the podium as the crowd roars in unison, "We have the right to rebel because they have not taken the consent of the governed into consideration and merge with an authoritarian regime and bypass our very own constitutional laws!" He slams his fist on the podium once again as the crowd roared. "As Thomas Jefferson, our forefather,stated: It is our right. No, it is our duty to form a resistance movement towards a tyrannical government! So as the first Sons of Liberty said centuries ago, We mutually pledge each other our lives, our fortunes, and our Sacred Honor!" The crowd roars extremely loudly once again. -=- As the limited amount of men are taught guerilla tactics and the entire town is able to look seemingly normal, ads on websites to join the movement go out temporarily, and also ask foreign nations for anonymous aid. Armed rebels would move towards other towns in Ohio, hoping to secure them discreetly, and asking the residents to join the resistance. Hopefully, these tactics will let them shadow-control the state of Ohio and send a state-representative to the U.S Congress in the coming election. ((Mod Needed))

The United States of America - Part of Russo-American Empire The President suddenly resigned, and was replaced by a pro-Russian leader named Axel Bird. The discontent among the merger was high and as people took to the streets to protest it, and the government looked to Russia for answers. Either way, the years of rebuilding had apparently been for nothing in the eyes of some Americans. A large resignation of many members of the White House faculty was something to note - paving the way for more pro-Russian leaders to take positions. Several infrastructure projects went underway and it seemed the entirety of the United States was not part of Russia - no, under Russia. The Bear now harnessed the Eagle and its vast resources. But some were not happy. Some were not happy at all. The President was infuriated. His resignation after the Olympic ceremony was not a surprise and a large group of politicians followed him out the door. The Union was now truly free from nationalistic principles. With the merger, the help from the Californians were appreciated and all the Projects were turned over to Russian hands - all but one. The blueprints for Project LION seemed to go missing. Stolen or destroyed, it didn't matter - life went on. Technology seemed to finally be cutting edged and the space mission made rapid progress. However some were not happy. Some were not happy at all. America had access to Russian resources and natural gas/minerals. Plus, there were many Americans that did favor the merger. The Vice President even apologized to the politicians at the Olympics for the ignorance of President Kennedy and his inability to see the benefits of a Russo-American union. He urged the politicians to recognize the unification and continue on with their diplomacy and that - Americans really were happy with it. Yet some were not happy. Some were not happy at all. The Union seemed to be under the control of Russia and had accumulated the largest landmass of any land empire on the planet. They had merged former enemies into a superpower and created a place to stand against oppression for years to come. However, it created a lot of resentment, since some were not happy. Some were not happy at all. -=The Union States are under the control of Draeris now=-

The United States of America The United States makes great progress regarding future space endeavors. With Russia and Britain in collaboration, the nations pool in their efforts and the Project RAPTOR takes a huge leap forwards since all three nations have been in Space, and Britain is currently still there. Their expertise would help the Americans and Russians join the other nations and explore the last great frontier. With Leprechaun rocket designs from Britain, and access to their Space Station, America's space program grows at a rapid rate. A mission is already underway and the destinations of Olympus Mons on Mars and the icy moon of Titan are planned, with seats available to collaborating scientists. All America needed now was the aid of the Australian Federation to quite possibly put them in space within the next year or two, and America would be set. A statement is made to the Federation requesting their aid, but if they do not, America starts preparing to test rockets in Alaska and try and get there without aid. In the Arctic, the American team creates an outpost with several Icebreaker ships and elite special forces soldiers to guard it. The oil is not touched or infringed upon, however, and a trade agreement between the NBC is made. With an abundance of oil now coming in from the Arctic and the Confederacy, America is set natural-gas wise. Project LION also goes well. Development stage is finished and a model is created. Although it would take years more to actually enter its first phase of combat, the model seems relatively viable and further research is ordered on the matter. In order to increase relations with the Californian Dominion, the U.S invites it to join Project LION and Project RAPTOR. The Californians were a mysterious bunch and little was known about what was inside their walls. The one thing that the Americans did know was they California was technologically superior - to them and the rest of the world. With a new government installed, President Kennedy hopes to heal old wounds and fix relations. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=- Brussels, formerly Belgium - German Empire: A tanned woman in her thirties sits in a Cafe. A fair-haired man who appears to be middle-aged sits across from her, a laptop open in his hands. He pulls out a USB flash drive and hands it to the woman. They pretend that they are on a date for the rest of time, and go about their business after that. Both of them spoke fluent and perfect German. They pledged allegiance to the German Kaiser daily, and appeared have a strong sense of nationalism. But the truth was, they didn't have any pride in the German Empire - and they definitely did not pledge allegiance to the Kaiser. Hell, they weren't even German. They were two Americans sent to Germany to figure out if the Germans were responsible for the kidnapping of Russian Politician, Vladimir Putin. They had very intricate backstories and could act really well - undergoing brutal CIA training for years. If they were caught, they'd pretend to be French Rebels and die a grizzly fate - their last words being, "Viva La France." They could never be identified as American, and they had several ways of ending their lives ranging from a cyanide capsule to pulling a simple string. The USB had orders from top American officials, and they begin their work. They would now try and get into high positions of power, as they have a fantastic resume and any official would be impressed at their fake life.

Really glad this thing picked up again and pretty awesomely too. GG all this is the longest lasting one yet. I'm gonna try and get at least 1-2 posts in every day - sorry for my previous inactivity - I was a bit busy.

The United States of America Internal: With the tiresome war now far over the Union had time to fix itself. It had time to think. The people had time to gather their thoughts and voice them in government. Fed up with all the humiliation - all the embarrassment, the American people impeach President Dalton - who sadly had big dreams for the nation, but who lived under the shadows of the arrogance of General Patterson. A new figure is elected into the Oval Office. A highly capable people's-man who radiated an aura of confidence, hospitality, and generosity not to mention his very American personality that made him an excellent candidate and politician. The first thing he did when elected president was change the name back to its former United States and have the flag redesigned to look more like the old Yankee flag from nearly three hundred years ago. His name was Roy Kennedy and his speech was broadcast all over national television, airing after the NCR railgun demonstration: "We the people have had enough of the former failures in the United States Congress and Unified Grand Parliament. Yes, we now own the vast territory of Canada and with that, most of North America, but at what cost? We have lost severe trust with our closest allies and our oil reserves are thinning - not that we had too much in the first place, anyways. Thank the Lord that the Confederates decided to look out for their brother, or we would be at the mercy of the reserves in the Arctic. We should no longer refer to us as the Union States - since the very name infers that we are the enemy of the nation that has offered to aid us repeatedly without asking for anything or little in return. We shall once again be the United States of America - and our flag will consist of thirteen stars to represent the states that fought hard for our own independence and success. I personally will not see undone what took us billions of dollars and thousands of lives to accomplish. Canada shall remain part of the U.S. and we shall see to it that these new Americans find their home hospitable. Thank you for giving me the honor to serve in the White House, ladies and gentlemen, and may God Bless you all!" Political: As soon as the President stated it in his speech, it was made official. The U.S accepted the oil deal with the Confederacy and quickly moved to thank them and pay a hefty sum of money in return. Immediately afterwards, the Unified Grand Parliament looks over the conditional peace that Britain had offered. The U.S agrees to let the Imperium have honorary rights in Canada and allows Canada to own a seat in the Commonwealth following the terms that Britain had offered. The Union did not suffer major losses at the hands of the British - only minor conflicts and a decent amount of damage, so reparations are not asked for. Britain is allowed the territory of Newfoundland on one condition - that American troops would be in a joint-occupation with the British. The territory would still be under British rule. The reason for this would be the general distrust of a foreign non-American power on North American soil by the people of the land. The Unified Grand Parliament under a new establishment also offers the following treaties for further peace between the nations: 1) The Imperium is offered a voice and seat in the Unified Grand Parliament. A legislative assembly dealing more with political affairs than social ones, it would act more like the UN and make sure treaties are honored. The Grand Parliament had replaced the U.S Senate and was far bigger and included the Vassal State of Canada and the Government of the United States. The Parliament had the power to keep the President in check and if the Imperium joined, it would help repair relations and strengthen ties. 2) The Grand Parliament would pay a debt to the Imperium for the damages and lives lost in the war with Canada. In exchange, the Code of Brothers rule would be enacted that would make future ties with the Imperium and the U.S binding so that the President or any leader would not have the power to betray a formed alliance or treaty unless under direct threat from that sovereign nation itself. It would be a two-way deal. 3) The Imperium and Britain would continue to farther diplomatic ties and conduct joint military operations again, hopefully being able to rebuild a military alliance and a close pact. A free-trade deal is also included The U.S accepts the deal with Russia and offers it a spot on the ((Mod-approved)) Project Raptor to eventually launch it into space. A defensive alliance to eventually form into a military alliance is also offered.The President makes a statement about this newfound friendship: "Both the U.S and Russia are fallen superpowers with a strong and brave population. Once enemies, we have rebuilt ourselves from the darkest depths of our own mistakes and now we strive to make ourselves great once again." Research/Technology: With ((Mod-Approved)) Project LION ((17 pages)) and Project RAPTOR ((21 pages)) underway, official drafting begins. The Projects are kept a total secret. None but top officials know the Projects even exist. Russia is the only sovereign power with its hands on the new developing technologies and a delegate is sent to Britain to ask if they would like to participate. The U.S thinks of involving the Confederacy and maybe even the NCR and hopefully repair ties. However, no official statement is made. ​The NBC is offered a trade agreement for oil, since they lay claim to it. The Team is on standby for further orders regarding any actions taken to secure it or not.

The Union States of America Military Force: America - once the beacon of hope that boasted the world's most powerful Army, AirForce, and Navy, was now starting to catch up where it fell behind. Strength is in numbers, combat experience, and morale. Lacking in technological prowess since other countries like Australia are starting to surpass them: ((I'm basing my numbers off of globalfirepower - I cut the numbers in half since the numbers were divided between the USA, CSA, and the NCR and I added to that afterword because I've been recruiting personnel and expanding America's military industrial complex for a multitude of pages. I also subtracted the numbers lost in the Pacific: If anyone has a problem, do tell me, because I don't want to feel like I'm PGing - I'm trying to be reasonable. Thanks!)) Army: Active Personnel: 2,500,000 (Mostly RHINO Armor Equipped - it's just cheaper more effective flexible body shielding) Reserve Personnel: 650,000 Tanks: 5,662 Artillery: 590 Attack Helicopters: 655 SPGs: 750 Armored Vehicles: 31,338 MLRs: 495 AirForce: Fighters/Interceptors: 1,446 Transport Craft: 3,991 Helicopters: 3,843 Attack Helicopters: 623 Bombers: 1,675 Navy: Pacific - Only on the coast of Western Canada, Oregon, and Washington: Aircraft Carriers: 3 (2 MTW Equipped) Submarines: 19 Destroyers: 22 Frigates: 2 Atlantic - Aircraft Carriers: 4 (3 MTW Equipped) Submarines: 35 Destroyers: 30 Frigates: 3 Defense Budget Annually: $477,000,000,000 --- Finally, war with Asia was over. Well, aside from Japan at least. Since the U.S lost all of its Pacific Territories already, it asks Japan for peace. If Japan continued to stay at war with the Union, the Union would not surrender or attack without premise. In the Atlantic, the U.S asks the British for peace. Union troops stay at the ready near Eastern Canada. The Atlantic Navy does its best to repel British ships and now, since the MTW has been repaired from its prior initial failure, it seems that there is hope for the USA to endure through the weary war. The fixed version of the MTW blueprint is sent to the CSA and apologies for inconveniences are made. A team of Americans are sent into the Arctic to scavenge for oil and natural gas near Canada and Alaska. ((Mod Needed)). Canada is made into a U.S State and the Unified Grand Parliament governs the joined nations. The small Canadian military is quickly absorbed into the U.S and bases finish completion - located all around the country. Canadian countrymen are offered better lives if they joined American Special Forces teams and create the Canuck Corps. Roads are expanded and school adopt the American system which is improved. In Washington D.C, plans to relaunch the abandoned Orion space project are made underway. It will take many years to launch a capsule into space with humans aboard, but the U.S thinks it is worth it. Russia, an enemy of Japan, is offered a non-aggression pact and trade agreement. The U.S offers aid to the Russians in the form of food rations and medical kits. The Brightswood Defense Corporation is offered asylum in the United States and a proposed deal. America's free market society would be a perfect place for them and the U.S military would pay a hefty amount for rapid technological growth. A contract is planned and a place in the Union is offered to them. In order to catch up technologically, America starts the planning phase of Project LION and Project RAPTOR. America asks for a trade agreement between all player-operated nations.

(Mobile Post: I'll send a real detailed post tomorrow, sorry guys I've been slacking and hopefully will have access to a computer soon) Union States: The Union accepts Australia's offer of peace whole heartedly, ready to end the tiresome war and formally cedes all of its Pacific Territories to Asia. The Union also states that Canada will still have semi autonomy as a U.S. state and all Canadians will be treated as American people. The M16 Spy gains a high position in the U.S. military, although suspicions about him are apparent. Americans begin excavating for oil in the arctic near Alaska and Canada. ((Mod Needed))

(Mobile Post - On a Trip): The Union fortifies Canada's coasts from attack and about 65% of the troops are in coastal cities. The rest are in various bases around Canada and turn Canadian citizens into Americans and give them full Union priveleges. The US also warns Australia that any attempt of an invasion of Canada or North America would be catastrophic since, well, they are quite a bit away and could not get near enough troops to match the sheer amount of Americans in Canada. Regardless, defensive measures are taken on all fronts.

The Union States of America The Inaugural Address of President Rick Dalton: "... That is why my fellow Americans we continue the campaign into Canada. Not because we view the Canadians as our enemy, but because in this very dangerous world they are weak and we must protect them. The British claim that we are liars and imperialists. The Chinese claim that we pretend to be the global force we once were. But in all truth with Almighty God as my witness, they are all hypocrites. The Japanese lay claim to the very islands that they once oppressed. The British give in to the demands of the Germans! They ignore the plea of their French brothers and call us liars!? What about the Australians? Can they claim that we are imperialistic when they mercilessly conquer islands across the pacific and dare try to question our morals? The Chinese say that we are 'pretending' to be the global force we used to be, but that is a lie. Since the downfall of our nation, we have rose up from the ashes and rebuilt ourselves as a world force to be reckoned with! From humiliation and division we have rose up! Forget the British, Australians, Chinese or Japanese! They cannot question our values without first looking into their own! The Canadians may be the cousins of the British, but they are our brothers! We now join together today as one unified Union and celebrate the newly founded Unified Grand Parliament! Forget what the world says, my fellow Americans. We are United and we will always be United. With our Canadian brothers now standing tall among us, we shall bring our glorious nation into the democratic and moral state we once were. God bless our troops, God bless our citizens, and God Bless America!" -=- Troops amass in Washington ready to repel a possible homefront invasion of the United States. Since the war with Canada is over, Union troops start to settle into the nation and mobilize along the East. The American Atlantic fleet meets the British in the Atlantic and war ensues. A common battle-cry is heard, "When the redcoats attack, we attack back! Remember the fallen in the Pacific!" Devastated by the humiliating loss in the Pacific that took America completely off guard, the morale to fight on the Atlantic is high. Fortunately, Project RHINO finishes mass-development and deployment ((Mod Approved and been over 10 pages)): RHINO Armor is a technologically forward, shielding, flexible, and a cost-effective way to make military gear. It is made for lightning wars, or Blitzkriegs, and special operations. It's HUD screen that appears on the helmet give users advanced communication abilities that allow orders to be followed precisely and the chance to give officers more control of situations and communication. It is prone to the MTW ray as the two were produced side by side: The MTW (Microwave Transmission Weapon): The MTW is a microwave emitting missile defense and offensive operating system. It sends focused microwave rays of high energy to take care of missiles at a distance and can be aimed at humans as well. The Union is careful not to use this against people since the ray is extremely painful and would most likely be considered a war-crime under that scenario. It is deployed onto ships and shields them from most missiles as well as targets certain ship components in an attempt to disable them. -=- In Canada, money is used to improve infrastructure and begin the naturalization process of Canadian citizens into Americans. The United States also secretly sets up work teams throughout the North to search for oil and natural gas, which is rumored to be abundant in the area ((Mod Needed)). The plans for the MTW system is discreetly sent to the CSA. It arrives with a post-it note that simply says "Thank You" and a box of chocolates. In the file it asks the CSA not to share the technology with any other nation.

Union Reply Post: President Richard Dalton, eager to end the fighting in the North to concentrate on the Pacific, accepts the offer. American troops hold their fire and negotiations begin. After intense debate on the senate floor and the passing of the previous president, terms are agreed to and Canada's political parliament merges with the Union's and the Unified Grand Parliament is born. Money is poured into Canadian infrastructure to make highways U.S Compatible. Several bases are planned in Canada and the Canadian leader is brought in as part of a joint-leadership committee that would administer the northern part of North America.

The Union States of America All NCR spies had failed - all but one. However, this spy had done what no one would have thought imaginable. After two days in the nation's most renowned hospital, General Patterson succumbed to a bullet wound. The NCR is suspected as the culprit but so is the UK and Japan, and no public accusations are made. Whoever the spy was had succeeded and that was all that mattered in the current moment. His vice president, Rick Dalton, was quickly sworn into office for the remaining two years of the term he had to complete. He was a lot more open than Patterson, however he did not end the invasion of Canada. In fact, the death of his friend strengthened his resolve to quickly win the war. The Union had no idea why China had elected to declare war on the Union, since they were not aware that Japan ever did, but regardless they went ahead to defend themselves. Thankfully, the Union's second major conscription ((started page 24)) was finally finished, and a total of 3,400,000 troops were now part of the Union military. However, most American economists considered this the cap and now only conscripted when needing to fill up open positions. === The war in Canada goes relatively smoothly, aside from the Guerillas. An anti-guerilla task force composed of Alaskans who are used to even more frigid conditions than the Canadians are, are sent to deal with them. In response to the British and Commonwealth reply, which was expected and planned, the new president agrees to meet with the Prime Minister. However, no statement is made about the situation in Canada. The Union expected worldwide retaliation which why such a sheer number of troops had invaded in the first place. Canada would be the easy part - the British, however, is who they were really at war with. With American forces now occupying major cities such as Ottawa and Toronto, Canada is expected to fall very soon ((Mod Needed)), and U.S forces move to defend their own east coast as well as Canada's from the British. = The Union army appreciated the friendly gesture from the Confederates, and vowed to themselves that the debt would be repaid. Timing seemed to be the best thing on the side of the Union and Project RHINO finally finishes. The armor was finally being mass produced and sent to frontline soldiers, while the weapon finished installing itself on most of America's aircraft carriers. In the Pacific, the Union readies to defend itself from Chinese, Japanese, or Australian aggression. = President Rick Dalton did what no American would think a Unionist would do - he withdrew troops from the surrounding NCR border. Instead, he focused them in Washington to deter a possible Chinese assault. He wanted to have good relations with all Americans and knew that the feud between California and the Union would be detrimental to both of their nations.