I haven't posted anything on this for almost three months (USSR was to big a piece of work). Just a little something before christmas time.
Not exactly a region but I thinks its relevant. It was fun to write and I hope you'll like to read it. If anyone as some insights, I'll be interested. Don't always look for the logic behind this.
Before the Twilight War, there were a certain number of tiny states over Europe. Surprisingly several have survived and often their situation is better than elsewhere on the continent.
Jersey and Guernsey
These two sets of islands were administered by the British Crown before the war but it changes when the nukes start to fall. The islands, then, declare their independence and sign a mutual assistance treaty with France. As a result of that treaty, the islands harbors are closed to British shipping and French troops are deployed on several locations including Castle Elizabeth and Fort Clonque. With the destruction of most French ports on the Atlantic, this proves highly valuable. In return for the French military presence, the small representation at Caen has been turned into a full embassy and the French provide supplies and training for the communal militias. Another important element of the independence resides in the abandon of English as the official language of the state to be replaced by the traditional Jersiais and Guernesiais. However, these two languages being spoken only by a minority of the population English and French remain in common use. Because of all this, independence was not achieved easily and resulted in some fierce opposition and a revolt. In the outcome, the uprising was crushed and a quarter of the population was expelled to England.
After victory was achieved, the people felt safe as the islands were not badly hit by the various epidemics striking most of the world. Nonetheless, that changes when they started to suffer from indirect nuclear contamination and when Jersey was touched by a direct one from the nearby Hague nuclear treatment plant. Nowadays, the population has dropped to about 70,000. On the bright side, if food shortages are not unknown of, every citizen is entitled to devote part of its time to fishing or cultivating the fields and the islands are mostly self sufficient. They even do better than that and their fisheries are exporting to France, Ireland and the UK. Because of several choices predating the war, Guernsey remains the industrial center of the state. Nevertheless, talking of industry is a big word and little exists there outside above industry. The most important industry on the island is a small traditional naval arsenal producing a few sail boats and providing repair to the local fleet. Access to energy is the main problem and electricity is in very short supply, produced only from tiny wind power plant supplemented by a small number of power generators. Black market is also important and contraband transit constantly under the friendly eyes of the authorities.
As soon as fighting on the islands dries down, government fully revert to feudal laws and the power is now back in the hand of the Bailiffs (one for Jersey and one for Guernsey). Second to the Bailiffs are the Seneschals who are in charge of justice, civil security and welfare. Of course, running the islands daily takes more than four men and communes (12 in Jersey and 10 in Guernsey) are led by constables. Before the war, both Jersey and Guernsey had a number of chambers but these were abolished. They have been replaced by two new chambers. One is the house of communes which assembles the 22 constables and 74 deputies. The second is the feudal house which is attended by the 57 noble families: 32 for Jersey, 24 for Guernsey and 1 for island of Sercq.
For defense, the islands rely on a communal militia composed of 22 companies (1 for each commune) and an independent section (Sercq Island). These militias are light infantry forces. In addition, the Bailiffs have additional units under their direct authority. These, commanded by a Lieutenant-Governor, are made of the followings: 2 Infantry Companies, 1 Motorized Squadron (Land Rovers), 1 Cavalry Squadron, two artillery batteries (Brandt 120mm mortars) and an air defense battery (20mm anti-aircraft guns and a few Mistral anti-air missiles).
Principality of Monaco:
The principality escaped the war entirely and remains the refuge of the wealthy. That small city-state is administered by Prince Albert II and the population is stable at about 34,000. Every nationality is allowed to stay within the boundaries but several are closely watched by local Police and secret services: British, Dutch, German…
The main change in the country resides in a recent territorial extension resulting from a treaty signed with France after the nuclear attack. In return for increased taxation, the principality is now three times larger as it was allowed to annex two of the surrounding localities: Beausoleil and Cap-d'Ail. The principality now has some farmlands essentially producing fruits and allowing for cattle raising (sheep and goats). These farmlands are a welcome addition to the now flourishing fisheries and sea farms developed by scientists working at the ocean museum.
Unlike what was widely understood, the principality’s industry was quite numerous before the war. Factories are all in Fontvielle, sometimes located in skyscrapers, and many are still functional. Electronic is still produced while plastics, chemicals and medical goods are still manufactured. The main difficulty faced by these industries is that of raw materials which are reaching the principality in insufficient quantities. Recently, because of the conflict, part of the light machineries and part of the chemical plants were turned toward the production of ammunitions. Finally, the main luxury is that of the heating/cooling system using waste and providing a high level of comfort to the most wealthy.
None of this would have been possible if problems of power supply had not been answered before the war. Faced with significant power cuts during the years preceding the nuclear exchange, the Prince asked for solar power cells to be deployed on many buildings. The EMPs disrupted power supply for some times but the SMEG (Société Monégasque de l’Électricité et du Gaz) was capable of rebuilding the systems in a matter of weeks. Nowadays, the SMEG continues to administer the principality’s power supply. It still relies on solar power cells and complemented this by a floating power plant. That last plant is, in fact, an old steam yacht from the 1900’s confiscated and modified for the occasion.
Another problem for the principality was that of its defense. For centuries, this had been France duty but the ability to provide enough military support became uncertain. As an answer to this, the Prince decided to expend its military forces. First, the police forces remain important and still number more than 550 officers. Second, the sea patrol forces were augmented by enlisting several sailing boats and more small and medium motor boats. Heavy machineguns and light artillery were, then, fitted on these ships. Outside of the coastal patrol boats, motor ships are now forbidden by law and these residing in the port, prior to the war, have been emptied of their fuel and stripped of their vital components. In order to control sea matters, a minister of the admiralty was created and monitors these coastal forces and the sailing ships converted to fishing and transport. Third, avgas was stored and three helicopters are forming a small armed air patrol. They are seldom seen in the air but they can be called upon in case of emergency. Fourth, the regular military has been augmented and now counts five units instead of the original two: 1 combat diver squad, 1 motorized squadron, 1 fire corps (130 men) and 2 infantry companies of 112 men each (compagnie des Gardes and compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince). At last, a people’s militia has been formed but it is badly armed with too few weapons. However, its main duty is to provide crews from the refitted bronze artillery pieces that now defend the coast. Before the war, this outdated artillery would have been surprising but, nowadays, it represents a serious threat to pirates who seldom have access to modern ships.
Most Serene Republic of San Marino:
San Marino is a small republic landlocked within Italy and it survived the Twilight War. It is also the oldest sovereign state and the oldest Republic in the world has it had been founded in 301AD.
Anyone would have expected that small state of less than 30,000 inhabitants to dissolve in the chaos of the Twilight War but that was without counting on the population stubbornness. In addition, the state had little needs and it reverted quite easily to the cottage industry that now prevails. As in the two previous world wars, the Republic remained neutral under the leadership of its two captains-regent despite the major political change of 2006. After NATO bombed it by mistake, the people elected a communist government again but that didn’t change anything and the country remained neutral, nonetheless. In addition, despite that new government, the Republic still maintains strong ties with the Papal state.
As in the other microstates, except Monaco, electricity is rare and produced mainly by power generators using vegetable oil. Pre-war industries have disappeared and they have been replaced by small cottage industries. However, the true stability existing here is a real advantage and productivity is quite good. That is also true for the agriculture which produces enough to feed the population, to fuel the few remaining vehicles and to export part of its production. Sickness and hunger are unknown here.
Unlike the other microstates, building up San Marino’s defense was not so much of a problem has the country still had an army. This was quickly built up and volunteers enlisted in fair number.
The government itself is now guarded by three special units. There is the Crossbow Corps which is an undersize company (80 men) equipped with crossbows and acting as the main patrol to the City of San Marino. There is also the Guard of the Council (also known as the Noble Guard) which is a company (120 men) providing direct protection to the government. At last, there is the Gendarmerie which has been expended to three companies (150 men each) and provide for civil order in the countryside.
Then, there is what can be considered as the true military which is divided between the Guard of the Rock and the Army Militia. The Guard of the Rock (550 men) is the professional military unit and the only military component equipped with modern weaponry (pistols, submachine guns and assault rifles acquired not long before the war). It is composed of four elements: 1 Cavalry Squadron (horses and light vehicles), 1 Artillery Company (8 howitzers and 4 Bofors air-defense gun), 2 Infantry Companies. The Army Militia is the volunteer and part-time component of the military. However, unlike most militias in the Twilight War this one is quite professional. Serving in the Militia has always been a pride for the people of San Marino and, when they started to enlist in mass, many had some decent military knowledge. Today, that militia represent no less than 8 Battalions (400 men each) mainly equipped with KAR-98K, a World War 2 rifle. At any given time, two of these battalions are on duty and the 6 others can be called upon on very short notice.
Andorra and Liechtenstein:
These two countries had no army at all and they would have been more vulnerable. As a result, both followed a similar path, surrendering their independence in exchange for protection. Andorra is now occupied by the French and the sole opening in the border with Spain. Liechtenstein, for its part, is now including in Switzerland.