For the first time in its history, Congressional Parliament is authorizing the use of force against a country in violation of international law. And in another first, the Great Powers passed Forum Resolution 17 (the ultimatum) unanimously.

Even Siggary, a country renowned for its pacifist ways, advocated for an ultimatum. The move has some suspecting that the Queen remains bitter over the Siggo-Hussaqi Crisis two years ago when both countries came very close to the brink of war over the ownership of Kamostopol.

Also, Marcusburg voted against its own proposal of an economic fine designed to bankrupt East El-Hussaq and in so doing, strip it of its Occidentale colony. Observers note that the move came in response to a hasty grouping of Gorditas, Lindsholm, and Rattanjeetland in favour of the Gorditan ultimatum idea.

Diplomats in Marcusburg were reportedly shocked to find out that Rattanjeetland and Lindsholm could come to any sort of agreement, citing the recent falling apart of proposed trilateral naval exercises between all three nations as evidence of historically hostile Jeeto-Lindsholmic relations dating from the Nexus-Confederate era.

So now the world plays a dangerous game of brinkmanship amidst a backdrop of massive upheaval, as the Secretary-General toys with the idea of stepping down and letting a genuine election for Congressional Parliament take place in January as outlined in the December Plan.

Furthermore, the winds of change are sweeping through Marcusburg as the Prime Chancellor fired his entire cabinet on November 30 and appointed a new more militant council to keep in line with the national doctrine of 'Responsible Determination'.

Whatever surprises the new year brings, it is almost without question that change will be among one of them.