Twilight 2000 2nd Edition/1999

• US Congress convenes. Senator John Broward (D, Ark) is elected president of the United States by the House of Representatives
  • General Jonathan Cummings, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, refuses to recognise the validity of the election
  • General Cummings declares a continuation of martial law until such time as it is practical to elect a new president
  • President Broward demands General Cummings' resignation. Cummings refuses
  • Some military units side with the new civilian government, but most (especially those overseas) continue to take orders from the Joint Chiefs of Staff
• The governmental split causes further erosion of central authority in the United States. Many localities simply ignore both governments
• The German military government and Polish government in exile continue relations with the Joint Chiefs. The partisan commands of Yugoslavia and Romania recognise the civilian government
  • The remnants of the CIA obey the orders of the civilian government, while the NSA, loyal to the joint chiefs, organises a new branch to replace the CIA "defectors"
  • Officially, the forces of the two governments refrain from violent confrontation, but there are some clashes over key installations, coups within military units and "dirty tricks" by rival intelligence officers
• In the autumn, a few more US troops are sent to Europe, initially by the civilian government. The military government also dispatches troops, trying to outdo the civilian government
  • A few warships are available as escorts. Merchant ships are used as transports
  • There is widespread resistance to the call-up, which only affects the Atlantic coast
• Some light vehicles and ammunition is sent to Europe, but the reinforcements consist primarily of light infantry
  • Mortars are in widespread use, since they can be easily manufactured in quantity
• The front in Europe is static for most of the year
  • Infiltration raids become the most common tactic, due to the low troop density
• Troops start farming and manufacturing to meet their supply demands
  • Locals are recruited to farm and carry out administrative tasks. In return, the troops provide security from marauders, an increasing problem for many. In some cases, the military units operate a "protection" racket
• Some units, particularly those in remote areas who do not get supplies, become marauders. Initially they only attack enemy-held areas, but later start to attack areas held by previously friendly troops
• Production of the HIV vaccine is stopped, as the AIDS active infection rate in Central Africa reaches 50%
• Scientific stations in the Antarctic and orbiting space laboratories are abandoned as the war goes on