South America: The Forgotten Continent

Day 659, 18:04 • Published in USA USA • by Lieutenant Scheisskopf

Wars dominate North America and the Eurasian landmass; eSouth Africa's domestic politics (highlighted by a very notorious immigrant) receive international press coverage; but until eColombia declared war against the eUSA, South American involvement on the international stage has been limited, apart from eBrazil's brief blocking attacks against eSpain. Given the most recent twist in the war, I thought I would devote an article to South America.

Continent Background
In terms of size, South America is home to approximately 10% of the New World's population, with the most populous four countries being eBrazil (~6331 citizens), eArgentina (~4340 citizens), ePeru (~2107), and eColombia (~1905); of these, only eBrazil and eArgentina are among the world's most populous 20 countries. In terms of experience points, eBrazil (11th) is the ONLY South American country in the Top 30, suggesting the continent's potential as an upcoming force; tiny eBolivia (12th overall) and eBrazil (17th) are the continent's only states in the Top 20 for average strength levels. eBrazil (ranked 6th) is the only country in the continent in the Top 10 for greatest exporters although ePeru (11th) and eVenezuela (24th) are in the Top 30. This probably reflects these countries' relatively small domestic markets and dependence on foreign support.

As far as foreign alliances go, eColombia is the only country with an active war against a FORTIS/EDEN member state (the eUSA), although most of the continent is part of the Hungary-led but officially neutral war games between eLatvia and eLithuania. Combined with the unremarkable numbers above, this relative neutrality and absence of aggression easily makes South America an afterthought in the international system.

A New Battleground
eColombia's blocking attack against the eUSA, although not a sustained offensive for conquest, has shone the light on the forgotten continent. In the coming months, this region could see increased attention given to it, due to its proximity to the eUSA and its potential as a new battleground.

Increased attention to the continent should also reveal the wealth of natural resources in it. With the exception of eChile, every country holds at least one high quality resource region, and many of these countries hold several. Economic infrastructure, however, is poor. A major issue of eVenezuela's presidential campaign noted that almost 80% of their companies were operating at 50% or lower employment capacity. Similar trends exist in other countries, as well.

Bringing South America In
The eUSA and FORTIS/EDEN would do well to capitalize on this opportunity to extend its alliance rooted in non-aggression and economic cooperation. eUSA politicians and diplomats could see the recent eColombian aggression as yet another example of smaller states being used as pawns for primary PEACE members, and use this behavior to encourage other South American states to join an alliance in which cooperation means "working together" and not "working for" a larger state. Rebuilding FORTIS/EDEN by extending its membership would allow the alliance as a whole to strengthen; states like eBrazil and eArgentina would be able to immediately contribute, although the alliance would do well to make sure the smaller South American states received an equal say and ample opportunity to grow. Were I a South American citizen, I would be afraid of PEACE's fluctuating intentions and fear that my country could be turned on or used to act against its will.

Economically, such an alliance makes great sense. South American businesses would be exposed to large markets in the eUSA population and would be incentivized to make their business practices more efficient. Similarly, the eUSA population would be able to purchase cheaper goods and incentivize eUSA industries to compete, allowing for the eUSA economy to rebuild itself quickly and constructively. The access to natural resources would also allow eUSA industries to get materials cheaper and use some (including wood) to revamp its infrastructure.

In a nutshell, such an alliance is a win-win for the eUSA, FORTIS/EDEN, and South America. It secures one more frontier for the eUSA, brings more countries into a confederation of cooperation against aggression, and gives smaller countries larger markets to sell their goods. I understand that many in these countries may harbor real life animosity towards the United States, but I believe that cooperation in the New World will make us all winners. To be sure, it is PEACE and not the eUSA or her allies who are pursuing an imperialist agenda which makes many loathe the RL USA.

God Bless America,

Lt. Scheisskopf