caucasus region brief gta brief

ENEMY FORCES • SAPA are well trained and very familiar with the region along the Atropia-Ariana border. They operate normally in two to three man detachments using various combinations of machineguns, RPG-7 , and assault rifles. The movement of these detachments is controlled and coordinated to provide mutual support and synchronized action for long periods of time. • Primary mission is to destabilize local governments through intimidation. SAPA detachments will conduct reconnaissance, recruit local males, and conduct terrorist attacks against soft targets such as local political leaders, ethnic Atropians, and government institutions. Have also attacked NATO forces if they have a perceived advantage. • Other SAPA Tactics Include:  IEDs / Mines – designed to kill and intimidate  Raids – to seize supplies or forcibly recruit locals  Checkpoints – used to identify ethnic Atropians, recruit, and extort funds  Ambushes – conducted to harass or to gain additional food, weapons, etc.

South Atropian People’s Army (SAPA)

Atropian Police Force

Atropian Defense Force

COMMAND MESSAGE U.S. Forces are in Atropia to prevent SAPA and Arian from destabilizing the general security environment in the region, disrupting Atropian independence, and inciting ethnic unrest. Our purpose is maintain order and security of the internationally recognized autonomous country of Atropia.

MEDIA DO’S and DON’T’S: DO tell the Army story DO maintain security DO speak in sound bites DO spotlight your soldiers DO stay in your lane DON’T say “No Comment” DON’T grab the mike DON’T use acronyms or military jargon DON’T violate OPSEC DON’T lie or speculate. DON’T comment on matters of policy

COMMANDS Stop Do not move Pass Turn around Lower your hands Drop your weapons Move Hands up Move slowly Come here No talking Walk forward Surrender Come with me Calm down Do not resist Form a line Stay where you are One at a time Speak slowly Lie on your stomach

Alto No se mueva Pase Dé la vuelta alrededor Baje las manos Suelte sus armas Muevase Manos arriba Muevase despacio Venga aquí No hables Camine hacia adelante Entregese Venga conmígo Calmese No se resista Forme una línea Quédese donde usted está Uno a la vez Hable despacio Acuéstese bocabajo

QUESTIONS Do you speak English? Do you need help? Where are you injured? Do you have…? How many? Is it far? What? Who is in charge? Who? When? Where? Which direction?

Usted habla inglés? Usted necesita ayuda? Dónde estás lastimado? Usted tiene…? Cuántos? Está lejos? Qué? Quién está a cargo? Quién? Cuándo? Dónde? Qué dirección?

COUNTRY Ethnicity: Atropians ethnically different from Arianans. Both “tribes” speak a form of Spanish with the Atropians speaking a Castilian dialect. Most Americans cannot distinguish slight differences in dialects, and there are no physical differences in appearance. Atropia: 90% Atropian, 2.5% Donovian, 2% Minarian and 5.5% other nationalities Ariana: 51% Arianans, 24% Atropians, 8% Gilaki and Mazandarani, 7% Kurds, 3% Arabs, 2% Lur, 2% Baloch, 2% Turkmenistani, and 1% Other. Note: The northwest territories are almost 100% ethnic-Atropian.

RELIGION Atropia: Approximately 95% of the population of Atropia is Muslim. There are other faiths practiced among the different ethnic groups within the country. Atropia is a secular state and ensures religious freedom. Ariana: Ariana is an Islamic Republic and its constitution mandates that the official religion of Ariana is Islam. 90% belong to the Shi’a branch of Islam, the official state religion; about 8% belong to the Sunni branch of Islam.

VOCABULARY Hello Goodbye Thank You Please Ammunition Armed Vehicle Checkpoint Men Women Minute Morning Mountain Night North Pistol Radio Road Shelter South There Village Water Weapon West East Yes No

Hola Adiós Gracias Por Favor Munición Vehículo Armado Punto de Control Hombres Mujeres Minutos Mañana Montaña Noche Norte Pistola Radio Camino Refugio Sur Allá Aldea Agua Armas Oeste Este Sí No

CULTURAL CUSTOMS / GESTURES • Culture based on loyalty to family, clan, tribe, and region before loyalty to Nation • Old age is revered and honored; emphasis on obeying elders • Sense of time is casual and fluid; negotiations are normally slow/extended • No concept of personal space; there is no “3 foot American bubble” • Don’t move away if an Atropia “invades your space” • Public Display of Affection common between same sexes is accepted and often expected • Honor most important virtue; external public perception of honor; Never criticize in public • Shame equals humiliation; difficult for them to say “no” to a request because it is impolite; may intentionally mislead instead; “Yes” may mean I understand and does not always mean “I agree” • “Losing” not “Retreating” is considered a shame; they will often retreat in order to avoid shame and “live to fight another day”

CAUCASUS REGION WF GTA (For Training Purposes Only)

The Caucasus region is bordered on the west by the Black Sea and on the east by the Caspian Sea. The north side of the Caucasus Mountains includes a portion of the large country of Donovia, most of which is outside the region. The states of Gorgas, Minaria, and Atropia are in the middle of the region, on the south side of the Caucasus Mountains. Atropia has territorial disputes with most of its neighbors. In the west, Atropia and Minaria have both claimed the Arzak province since the early 1900s. In the south, extended ethnic-Atropian families straddle the Atropia-Ariana border. This region closely identifies itself with Ariana since the time of the ancient Arianan Empire. In 2003, the South Atropian People’s Party (SAPP) formed to represent the people of this region. It was unable to affect change and gave birth to the South Atropian People’s Army (SAPA). The rise of Islamic fundamentalism complicates the challenges faced by some countries in modernizing their political and economic systems to compete internationally. The major threat to international interests is the curtailment or loss of energy exports from the region. Further, past wars have created large refugee camps in Atropia, Gorgas, and Faisalia. Further instability and fighting still add to the regions civil unrest, refugee migration, and crime.

CULTURAL CUSTOMS / GESTURES • Hospitality closely linked to honor – refusal is an insult • Don’t shake a female’s hand unless she offers it first; don’t engage women socially • Don’t blatantly show the bottoms of your feet or cross your legs • Don’t use finger or hand gestures • Women are the custodians of family honor; rude to inquire about a female member of their family GUIDANCE for SEARCHES • Have Atropian Forces or local police conduct searches (if possible) • Ensure utmost respect when searching the elderly • Conduct same sex searches or use alternate search methods for women • Request permission from commander before searching any Religious Site; must have Atropian Forces or local police on site • Treat head of house with respect; females search female rooms; if possible, don't bring a large search party into a person’s home