Arabian Union
The Arabian Union was born from the re-emergence of a historic idea, that of a Pan-Arab state. The Great War served to not only unite the region where previous foreign interventions had failed, but also repair the relationship with what was once called the “western world.” The flag of the Arabian Union was adopted in 2356 and features the traditional colors of the Arab Liberation movement. They are in part based on a verse from the 14th century Iraqi poet Safi Al-Din Al-Hilli:"White are our acts, black our battles, green our fields, and red our swords."
Structure
The government of the Arabian Union is, in theory, a fusion of parliamentary and presidential democracy. The Emir of the Arabian Union is elected by popular vote throughout the entire country, and serves as the head of state. While the Emir is largely ceremonial, they do have the power to call for a vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister of the Arabian Union is elected by the majority party or coalition within the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister is the head of the executive, and has a Cabinet composed of the leaders of the Arabian Union's executive ministries. The House of Representatives is a unicameral legislature, elected by popular vote.
However, the Prime Minister is not an absolute leader. The Prime Minister is beholden to the Arabian Union Charter, and should a Prime Minister attempt to overstep their bounds, they will be removed. Power politics within the Arab Union is determined largely by familial connections. The original members of the Union have formed powerful political dynasties which are in power over almost every aspect of the AU, from government ministries to large corporations. Thus, elections and the course of national affairs are determined largely by backroom deals between powerful families.
Over the years, many attempts have been made to topple the AU, and many more conflicts have arisen when rivalries between powerful families become violent. Often, weaker families will support opposition movements, allowing these groups to have a consistent source of funding despite government opposition. No fewer than three Prime Ministers have been ousted by the military, although in all three times the military had the backing of the House of Representatives and the Emir. The Arabian Union has become somewhat infamous for its heavy-handed tactics when suppressing dissent. Lacking the subtlety of experience , the security elements of the AU's government frequently resorts to bombarding protesters with paralytic agents.
Culture
Arab culture has survived into the twenty-third century more or less intact, but most regional differences have been scrubbed away in favor of a pan-Arab identity. The modern version of Arabic spoken in the Union most closely resembles the Egyptian dialect of the language, as most Arabic teachers on Earth were from Egypt. Elements of nomadic and tribal culture have more or less disappeared over the centuries, and only very conservative Arabs continue to wear traditional dress such as the keffiyeh. TheUnion has a thriving movie industry, although the Arab film industry is infamous in the UFN for making cheap knock-offs of popular American films. On the other hand, some Arabic media has become so popular in the UFN that spinoffs have been made.
Military
The military of the Arabian Union is notable for its large size, compared to other regional powers. The Union primarily uses export-grade models of Foreign equipment, equipment that is more than adequate for crushing a rebellion or fighting pirates. the Arabian Union considers domestic threats to be far more important than interstellar ones, and is key in providing garrisons across UFN territory.
Religion
The dominant religion in the Union is the Sunni branch of Islam. A fairly sizable minority of Shi'a Muslims live in the IAR, with very small percentages of Christians and atheists.
Trade & Transport
The economy of the Union is centered primarily around the manufacture of light industrial and consumer goods, agriculture and tourism, with some money generated through banking. The garment industry is particularly powerful in the Union, with many clothes sold throughout the galaxy originating from Union factories. In the past, the Union specialized in the mining and processing of rare materials, such as uranium, up until the point other nations could produce the ore themselves. While manufacturing has served as the backbone of the economy, the government has been trying to promote the local service industry, which is currently dominated by tourism. Tourism generates 65% of the service industry's profits.
There is also growing tech industry in the Union. The Union has, for several decades, encouraged their best and brightest to move to the universities of the UFN, and to move back to start their own businesses. The government has funded the travel, education and other expenses for these young students. Almost all Arab students choose to return, and have become wealthy by starting new tech industries. In recent years, controversy has arisen over stolen designs for new Japanese products rolling out of Arab factories. As the Union has been able to maintain its own line of spaceships, it has gotten into the shipbuilding industry as well, though it cannot compete with the larger corporations of other nations.
Policy-wise, the government of the Union takes a more interventionist approach than the market-oriented nations of Earth. Inspired by socialist principles, the Union's government frequently establishes national corporations, or nationalizes extant corporate entities. Natural resources in particular are under the control of government-owned corporations. That being said, the Union is careful not to nationalize the assets of foreign corporations, knowing that would lead to poor trade relations, and possibly even war.
"الأبيض هو أعمالنا ، الأسود معاركنا ، أخضر حقولنا ، ويحمر سيوفنا" "White are our acts, black our battles, green our fields, and red our swords."
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Training Level
Professional
Veterancy Level
Decorated/Honored
Demonym
Arabs
Leader
Head of State
Government System
Democracy, Parliamentary
Power Structure
Semi-autonomous area
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
Credit Standard
Legislative Body
House of Representatives
Parent Organization
Location
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Comments