CSAT Backstory

So I've always had this idea:

Why does CSAT automatically become the bad guys? (OPFOR ok) but why are they painted as an evil Persian Empire?

I think a far more interesting story for CSAT would be if a Secular Democratic Iran became forward thinking, and basically became the "good guys". But in doing so, they upset a balance of power in the world and make alot of big changes for the way NATO sees the world.

I dont want this to be political. It's just an interesting what if scenario.

Here is a rough outline of my idea. It has some connections to reality, and some connections to the Armaverse. (not, it is not a realistic Scenario, nor is it perfectly in line with Armaverse)

Tell me what you think:

A CSAT backstory:

November 2014- Iranian aircraft are seen operating in Iraq against ISIS targets. The President of Iran publicly states that if the Iraqi government asks for it, Iran will provide full scale military assistance.

January 1st 2015 – Iran launches operation Babylon. A full scale ground invasion of ISIS controlled territory in Iraq. The Turkish Government also deploys ground troops, but they are ineffective and quickly get mired down in heavy fighting. China openly provides air support for Irans ground operations and in a stunning move, NATO also offers aerial assistance to the Iranian ground troops. Which Iran refuses. NATO responds by stopping all air operations in Iraq and focuses on Syria, effectively abandoning the Iraqi government.

April 2015- By April, Iranian ground troops have secured over half of Iraq. The Iraqi government welcomes Iranian troops into territory not controlled by ISIS in order to provide security. China also sends over 1000 troops as military advisors to Iran.

September 2015 – Iranian Troops reach the Syrian border in the west and the Saudi Border in the South. Saudi troops are mobilized and moved to the border. In response, Iran promises not to violate Saudi Territory and pulls its forces away from the Saudi Border.

November 2015- Iran, China and Iraq have secured Iraq and forces ISIS into Syria. Turkish forces withdraw from Iraq with substantial casualties and little effect.

December 2015 – The war against ISIS has shown the different Islamic groups how much they have to gain from one another. Large groups begin to call for reform on the Iranian Government and several moderate politicians begin to campaign.

November 2017 – Elections in Iran succeed in electing a secular forward looking President. Sweeping reforms are made. The government becomes officially Secular, universal healthcare is implemented and a new Bill of Rights is signed that is viewed as something that even the Western Nations would be proud of. This new Iran offers the Iraqi people the opportunity to become integrated with a new, Modern Iran.

February 2018 - The Iraqi government holds a referendum on whether or not to unite with Iran. The Referendum returns an overwhelming 88% percent in favor of integration. Since Iranian troops have been in Iraq for 3 years now, the transition is smooth, with most Iraqi governmental structure remaining in place, and Iraq becoming a semi-Autonomous territory in Greater Iran. The West condemns the referendum as being hijacked by Iranian troops but the United Nations votes to recognize the decision.

March 2018 – In response to the referendum, ISIS remnants in Syria launch hundreds of rockets and mortars into Iraq onto Iranian military positions. Iran demands that the Syrian Government send troops to destroy the launch sites, but the Syrian Government does not respond.

May 2018 – June 2020 – Iran sends troops into Syria to attack the remnants of ISIS. The Syrian Government calls for armed resistance, but after years of civil war, the Syrian Military allows Iran passage. Iran soon occupies all of Syria and declares the Assad Government defunct. A new government declares a referendum to join Greater Iran, which passes with 74% in favor. Syria becomes the newest semi-autonomous Province of Greater Iran.

July 2020 – Iran declares ISIS destroyed. Iran now encompasses all of Iraq and Syria. Over the next several years, Iran consolidates its new position in the Middle East and on the World Stage. With massive Oil Revenue and a reformed Education system Iran closes the technology gap with the United States. It deploys Peacekeepers on UN missions in Sudan; it provides aid to several countries and becomes the 3rd largest contributor of money to the United Nations. It creates a new currency that exceeds the value of the Euro. Iran has reinvented its self. Iran is no longer a forgotten remnant of the Ancient Persian Empire. Iran is now a world class Superpower in its own right. It reaches out to Israel, Jordan and Egypt and establishes a permanent peace in the Middle East.

Iran seeks to solidify its relations with China and on July 8th 2020, the Canton-Protocol Strategic Alliance Treaty (CSAT) is signed between Iran and China. The new treaty is a mirror image of NATO, and clearly establishes a mutual defense pact, joint Military operations and economic cooperation between member states. Several other nations are quick to join; Pakistan, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Argentina, Vietnam, Libya, Jordan, Egypt and South Zagoria all become full members within 2 years of the treaty’s’ creation.

NATO finds itself facing a rival more powerful than even the old Warsaw Pact. NATO members increase military spending despite struggling economies. More and more, 3rd world countries call on CSAT for support instead of NATO. CSAT begins to replace NATO as the world’s foremost Strategic Alliance.

In 2022, CSAT creates a military force made up of units from the various member nations. This force is a Regiment Sized group organized as a Mechanized Infantry unit. The unit is Named Gryphon Regiment and is controlled directly by the CSAT council and not by the originating member states.

In 2025, A radical governments comes to power in Takistan. The king of Takistan calls on his NATO allies for assistance in restoring his rule. NATO sees this as an opportunity to reassert itself but does not act quickly. The king also requests help from CSAT.

July 2025 – CSAT deploys Gryphon Regiment (GR) In Takistan. GR quickly seizes control of Zargabad and the international airport there. Several weeks later, NATO forces belonging to the United States 1st Cavalry Division arrive in Takistan and seize Loy Manara AFB from the new Takistani Government.

Over the next few months, both sides conduct independent operations against the new Government forces. The UN calls for careful cooperation between CSAT and NATO but neither side is willing to make the first move.

As time goes on, a tense situation develops in Takistan…

In 2026, there is a coup against the Government of Altis. NATO sees this is its own backyard and deploys peacekeepers to the Island composed of British Forces and the US 111th Infantry Division. CSAT also deploys troops upon the request of the Altis Government….

2028, two years pass and NATO forces were keen on making sure they had the upper hand over Altis than CSAT. Botha sides helped the Altis Government, but economic structure seemed to be crumbling under the Greek states, even on Altis. In serious pressure, the Altis Government, seeing that NATO and CSAT Forces were very active around their islands, sent it's entire Navy back to mainland Greece I case of collapse, leaving it's remaining small Army and Army Air Corps on the island to police and enforce laws. With the remaining money the AAF had, it ordered export Armor and equipment from European Countries, in anticipation of a pending conflict from both NATO and CSAT, as the Altis Government remains sovereign with its stance. The people of Altis, are divided.