Birth of the Satellite - IOPFED11

The birth of the satellite – Near East Federation

EC2000 Battle for the Gulf of Oman

Just when everything was looking better for the Allies, India joins the European Federation and several Arab States to form the Near East Federation. Intelligence estimates that its only a matter of time before China, and several South East Asian countries join up. Strangely enough, Vietnam remains decidedly neutral and even leaning toward Allied sympathies; the desire for western capital is clearly their priority. Japan and Thailand also remain steadfast supporters of the Allied cause. However, Malaysia and Indonesia are firmly sided with the new Near East Federation, bringing with them enormous oil reserves. Having India and the various Arab states joining the conflict brings the Federation huge numbers of naval and air units to their cause. This is an immense problem for the Allies, considering the fact that assets have been spread very thin. However, thanks to forward thinking by some of the air force and naval brass, there were recent air reinforcements added to Diego Garcia and Hufhuf, Saudi Arabia. Add to that a number of new carrier groups repositioning to the Indian Ocean with several new destroyer and cruiser squadrons forming, and also some Iowa-class BB's and Virginia-class CGN's around which to center some new strike groups; the odds are becoming somewhat better. In addition, the recent withdrawal of France from the European Federation last month brings a much-needed ally to the Allied forces.