Friends,

 

As always, I am looking for ideas for new scenarios.

 

Here is a generic idea that could be fleshed out in a lot of ways; I would like to see your ideas about possible variations.

 

It all starts when country A does (or appears to do) something really annoying or even frightening to country B. Country B has a big enough navy to give it a regional or global reach, so it promptly blockades some or all of country A's major ports. Country B figures that the economic woes caused by the blockade will even the score (and, if all goes well, without bloodshed).

 

Unfortunately, things do not go well. One of two things happen...

 

1) Country A decides to attack the forces of country B, free its sealanes, and humiliate its rival/enemy.

 

2) Country C (an ally and/or trading partner of country A that has a pretty good navy, too, feels the blockade is unjust and tries to run the blockade using a convoy with several escorts. They feel strongly enough about this that they are willing to use force if they have to. And this convoy has serious teeth. Country A might join the fray too if things look like they're going to heat up.

 

Country B is not going to back down. Looks like a storm is coming...

 

All right...here are my questions:

 

1. Who are your favorite candidates for A, B, and (possibly) C.

 

2. What kind of thing did country A supposedly do to country B?

 

3. What era would you set this scenario...late cold war (1985-1990) or present day/near future (2005-2010)?

 

4. How is the blockade being conducted...surface ships, submarines, etc.?

 

I look forward to your answers.

 

Mark

It all starts when country A does (or appears to do) something really annoying or even frightening to country B. Country B has a big enough navy to give it a regional or global reach, so it promptly blockades some or all of country A's major ports. Country B figures that the economic woes caused by the blockade will even the score (and, if all goes well, without bloodshed).

 

Unfortunately, things do not go well. One of two things happen...

 

1) Country A decides to attack the forces of country B, free its sealanes, and humiliate its rival/enemy.

 

2) Country C (an ally and/or trading partner of country A that has a pretty good navy, too, feels the blockade is unjust and tries to run the blockade using a convoy with several escorts.  They feel strongly enough about this that they are willing to use force if they have to.  And this convoy has serious teeth.  Country A might join the fray too if things look like they're going to heat up.   

 

Country B is not going to back down.  Looks like a storm is coming... All right...here are my questions:

 

1. Who are your favorite candidates for A, B, and (possibly) C.

Country A: North Korea

Country B: Japan

Country C: China

 

2. What kind of thing did country A supposedly do to country B?

 

Launched a ballistic missile test through its airspace and over its territory.

 

3. What era would you set this scenario...late cold war (1985-1990) or present day/near future (2005-2010)?

Present day/near future

 

4. How is the blockade being conducted...surface ships, submarines, etc.?

 

Both surface ships and submarines.