The Aramean flag
The Aramean Empire, or simply, Aram, is a theocracy whose territory covers almost all of the Eastern Mediterranean seaboard. The country rose from the ashes of the collapse of the Russian Empire following the eviction of its Communist-backed Emperors, defeating Russian troops in a series of revolts from 1986 to 1988. Aramean independence would not be formally recognized, though, until the Roman-brokered Treaty of Nicosia in 1988. It has become an economically powerful country with very liberal laws in terms of religious tolerance and freedom of expression, but the freedom to dissent politically is substantially curtailed.
The head of the Aramean state is the Pontifex Maximus, shortened to "Pontifex", who is the absolute ruler in religious affairs for the country's dominant religion, Aramean Catholicism. The Pontifex rules for life and is elected through a vote of all the Aramean Catholic bishops, most of whom reside in Aramean territory. The Pontifex, though, is not the head of the government, with that role going to the Pontifex-appointed Chancellor, who is given absolute power. The Pontifex does retain a lot of influence in Aramean affairs since, although the Chancellor rules for life, at any time the Pontifex can dismiss the Chancellor and appoint a new one.
Religiously, the country is dominated by Aramean Catholicism, a form of Catholicsm that grew in the area after the Romans established a Syrian protectorate after the First Crusade of 1099. The religion itself is a mixture of Roman Catholic beliefs and traditions mixed with more local traditions and practices, with Aramean Catholicism being known as an "evolving" religion. One key example of this is that Arameans picked up the practice of prayer five times a day from the Muslims, as well as having its holy day on Friday.
Aram's main economic engine is oil and natural gas, the former of which provides the world with 10% of its needs after the discovery of a massive oil field in the desert east of Edessa. This has given Aram the world's fastest growing economy, with analysts predicting it could become the world's No. 2 power in as little as ten years.
At A Glance
Nation Name: The People's Theocracy of Aram
Demonym: Aramean
Capital: Nicosia (administrative), Jerusalem (spiritual)
Independence: August 5, 1986 (proclaimed), January 14, 1988 (recognized): from Russia.
Population: 125,249,189
Official Language(s): Aramean
Government Type: Constitutional Monarchy
Head of State: Pontifex Maximus David Lamaze
Head of Government: Chancellor Aris Pomas
Official Religion: Aramean Catholicism
Largest Religion: Aramean Catholicism
Economy Type: Mixed
Currency: Aramean dollar (A$1=US$5)
Constitution: Yes
Summer Time: Yes
Calling Code: +66
Internet TLD: .arm
Maritime Boundary (nm): 24
Aircraft Code: AR
Military Strength: Fluctuates, but it stays mostly at 5% of the entire population
Military Capability Score (out of 100, rating by Worldwide Defence Trade Association (WDTA)): 80 (Good)
Technological Innovation Score: Military (WDTA): 80/100 (Good), Scientific (University poll): 80/100 (Good), Other (University poll): 60/100 (Average)
Economic Rating (by Standard & Poor): 85/100 (Strong)
Economic Freedom Index (by Standard & Poor): 85/100 (mpstly free- some government regulation, mostly in terms of anti-monpolism and providing some assistance to the poor)
GDP: A$770,014.80 million (US$3,850,074 million) (8th)
Health Care Rating (by Doctors Without Borders): 70/100 (Average)
Health Care System: Two-tiered, with support only going to impoverished individuals who qualify.
Political Freedom Index (by Reporters Without Borders): 70/100 (Average; freedom of expression and religion are guaranteed and upheld, political dissent, however, is not allowed and is ruthlessly stamped out)
Drug Laws: Only drug allowed is shisha, coffee and wine, all other substances are banned.
Gun Control: Only approved personnel (such as police or the military) are allowed by law to carry firearms, but in practice this is almost never enforced, allowing the public to buy and own arms at will.
Environmental Policy Rating (by Greenpeace): 65/100 (attention is paid to enviornmental concerns, but it can take a back seat from time to time)