The gathering thunderheads of doom

The world, on the brink of war, awaits America’s decision. Confronted with an apparent no-win situation, President Obama has made the decision. There will be a total blockade of Venezuela. Any attempt to run the blockade will be repelled. The president and joint chiefs of staff take the unprecedented action of placing U.S. armed forces on DEFCON 1, the state of maximum readiness, a level that has never before been declared. Even during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the highest alert used was DEFCON 2.

The Russian armada arrives in the Caribbean and anchors within sight of the American Second Fleet, which has positioned itself 20 miles off the Venezuelan coast. The Chinese position their carrier battle group 20 miles off the North Korean port city of Hamhung, positioning themselves between the Korean coast and the American Seventh Fleet, speeding from Honolulu. One hundred thousand Chinese troops cross the Korean border to help prop up the North Korean regulars to fend off any attempt by the United States to cross the 49th parallel. Iranian president Ahmadinejad asks Russia and China to send troops to stave off another American incursion into the Middle East. Both countries agree and each sends five airborne divisions to repel any western assault.

Russia’s Putin has asked Mendoza, of Cuba, and Chavez, of Venezuela, to join the admiral aboard his fleet’s flag ship to plot a strategy to breach the blockade and thwart any impending invasion. General Secretary Hu Jintao of China invites Ahmadinejad to join his general staff aboard their aerial command center located at the Tehran International Airport. He then calls Kim Jong-un of North Korea to see if he will address the Chinese strike force that has assembled at a staging area located 10 miles west of the capital city of Pyongyang. The stage is set. There will be no turning back. Unlike the Cuban Missile Crisis, there are nine nations involved, and no one expects any of the major powers to flinch. The world prepares for war.

President Obama addresses Congress after briefing their leadership of the crises. At 9 p.m. the next evening, Obama will address the nation. To stabilize the economy and prepare for war, he has been granted unparalleled, sweeping authority to take whatever actions necessary to prepare for war and to guarantee the safety of America.

All the peoples of the world wait to see who will begin Armageddon. At 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on September 10, 2015, China and Russia issue President Obama an ultimatum: remove the blockade within 24 hours or we will remove it for you. Twenty-four hours pass, but due to a six-hour news blackout, the world has been kept in the dark.

At 9 p.m. on the 11th of September, Obama steps to the lectern. “At this moment, similar newscasts are being broadcast by Chairman Putin in Russia, General Secretary Hu Jintao in China, and President Pratibha Patil in India. All three broadcasts are being telecast worldwide.

“During the past year, high-ranking representatives of the United States, China, Russia and India have met secretly on numerous occasions to address those geographic areas of concern that either pose a serious risk to world peace or have been unable to bring peace and prosperity to the people of that region. Our discussions covered the proliferation of nuclear and biological weapons to countries whose leaders are destined to provoke and destroy, rather than engage in constructive dialogue. Several of the countries discussed have strengthened ties to terrorist organizations and have, at times, sponsored or condoned indiscriminate worldwide attacks on heavily populated areas, attacks that continue to destabilize, demoralize, devastate and inflict massive loss of civilian life.

“The civilized world can no longer ignore and tolerate this behavior by those in power. Therefore, the four most populated nuclear countries have banded together as the CIRUS Alliance to end the carnage and turmoil, reduce the threat of a major world conflict, calm world markets and stabilize those governments and geographic regions of the world that have been a major obstacle to peace and prosperity.

“Consequently, CIRUS has taken the following actions: At 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Mendoza of Cuba, Chavez, of Venezuela, Kim Jong-Il of North Korea and Ahmadinejad of Iran have been removed from power. Because the members of CIRUS wanted to remove these leaders without confrontation and excessive loss of life, the deployment of forces that occurred during the past week by China, Russia, and the United States, were part of a precise, well-planned strategy. Our sole objective was to contain the deposed leaders at a predetermined time and place to isolate them from their command.

“China will set up a provincial government in North Korea and will invest one trillion dollars to improve infrastructure and kick-start the failed state. The economy will be converted from that of a military state to an agriculturally and industrially based economy. Full diplomatic relations will be restored with the United States, South Korea and our partner countries. A five-year free economic trade zone will be established between CIRUS members and North Korea, Cuba, Iran, Israel and Palestine to help these governments repair their battered economies and improve their infrastructure. The U.S. will begin removing troops from South Korea in 12 months, with all troops being removed at the end of three years. The DMZ will be dismantled and a peace accord will be signed between North and South Korea. The United States will withdraw the majority of our troops from Germany, leaving a skeletal force to maintain Ramstein Air Base.

“An agreement has been reached with Taiwan. Taiwan, like Hong Kong, will in 10 years become a special administrative region of China, but will remain autonomous, electing its own government, but accountable to China.

“The U.S. will pay off all debt owed China and her other allies by year’s end. Cuba, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and Iran will keep their present administrations until free elections can be held in two months. The U.N. will administer and monitor the elections. The people of each country will decide who and what type of government will govern their nation. Regardless of the outcome, the U.S. and its allies will restore full diplomatic relations with all four countries.

“Russian and U.S. war ships will remain off the coast of Cuba and Venezuela, should external intervention be necessary to maintain a civil transfer of power.

“Russian and Chinese troops will be joined by Americans who, together, will maintain stability in the Mideast until elected representatives take office.

“Within one month, candidates in Cuba, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and Iran must announce their intentions. Within two months, elections will be held. Within three months, all foreign presence will be removed from these countries.

“Representatives from CIRUS will hold a summit with all members of the Middle East, including their religious representatives. Israel and Palestine will each have their own state. Each country’s right to exist will be recognized by all countries of the Middle East. Any country that refuses to acknowledge such recognition will have their diplomatic and economic ties severed with members of CIRUS. Israel will, in turn, give up the Golan Heights and the West Bank, including all existing settlements in ceded territories. CIRUS will reimburse Israeli citizens for displacement and loss of property.

Palestinians will lay down their arms and negotiate a peace with the state of Israel. Jerusalem will remain a designated World Heritage Site, and although managed by Israel, will be open to peoples of all faith. No form of arms will be permitted within the city limits and the ban will be strictly enforced by members of the U.N. at all points of entry. No member of CIRUS will retain troops on Muslim territories unless an ally is threatened. No member of CIRUS will advocate or dismiss any form of government, including an Islamic state, if such a form is the choice of the people. If peace in the area is unattainable, the alliance will break off diplomatic relations with the aggressor countries involved and will send one million CIRUS troops to protect the threatened country and maintain peace in the area.

“No member of CIRUS will ever nuclear arm any nation that borders a member nation. Any act of aggression or terrorism against any member of the alliance will be considered an act against all members of the alliance and will be dealt with in a swift and decisive manner, with total alliance participation. No members of the alliance will place any additional forces in another country unless agreed to and represented by all members. The one exception to the placing of forces will be the state of Israel. Due to its vulnerable location, the United States will be allowed to provide immediate interim defensive measures in the event of an invasion by any hostile force.

“If an ally of any member of the alliance is aggressive to any member of this pact, that country will no longer be considered an ally and will be dealt with by the pact members. No member of the alliance will meddle in the internal affairs of any other member nation or its allies. If any of the four members fail to honor the treaty, the remaining members will break off all political and economic ties to said nation and all debt owed to that nation by any CIRUS member will be considered forgiven.

“The four nations of CIRUS believe their alliance to be in the best interests of world peace and economic revival. The actions taken today by CIRUS will ensure peace and economic stability, thus allowing the peoples of all nations to live without the threat of conflict, so that time and resources can be redirected to develop political and economic systems that will allow all to enjoy prosperity.”

President Obama takes no questions, but tells the American people that in one week, he will inform them of the dire economic decisions that have been made that will support the above actions, and the impact these decisions will have on the American people and the depressed economy. He makes one final statement before departing. “Congress and I have agreed on taking unprecedented steps that will infuriate many and anger most. However, I can assure you that the peace we have ascertained will be equaled by a robust economy that will emerge due to the changes we are about to implement.”

However, no one is prepared for the sweeping changes and reforms he will announce in seven days.

To be continued next week.

Roy Eaton is the author of “Soldier Boy” and “The Chosen Few.”