Time: Ariana

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The Caucasus countries, for the most part, do not believe in the sensitivity of time, and do not view punctuality or the importance of time as the US and most other Western countries do. Most of the people in the region do not view time as a resource and do not feel any compulsion to effectively manage their time. The people in the Caucasus region do not make the connection between effective use of their time and production. This lack of time consciousness will likely frustrate US soldiers as they work with their allies, but it will also give the US a battlefield advantage against its enemies.

Key Dates, Time Periods, or Events

The entire region’s recorded history extends back at least 3,000 years, but people populated the area long before that time as indicated by the archaeological objects discovered in caves and at other long-inhabited sites.

Arianian history dates back to 550 BC, to the ancient Arianian Empire. Events over the past 25 centuries created an Arianian mindset of cultural superiority, and Arianians believe one day they will regain a position of global authority and dominance. During the 7th century, Arabs introduced Islam to the Arianians, often forcibly converting them. Shia Islam became the dominant religion in Ariana beginning in 1505. Shia Islam profoundly impacted the Arianian culture and continues to affect the country today. Religion significantly influences almost every one of Ariana’s vital cultural institutions, to include its government and military.

Timeline

• 550 BC

Arianian Empire founded

• 630s AD

Islam introduced to Ariana

• 1505

Shia Islam becomes dominant in Ariana

• 1947

US begins military support to Ariana

• 1950s

Ariana begins its nuclear program

• 1963 June 3

Ayatollah Khodadad incarcerated by the Arianian Government

• 1967

Arianian Stock Exchange begins operations

• 1970s

Militant political Islam rises in Ariana

• 1971

Ariana Telecommunications Company (ATC) founded

• 1979

Arianian Council of Guardians Revolution; US stops military support

• 1979 February 11

Council of Guardians defeat the Pasha

• 1979 March

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khodadad coopts the Arianian military

• 1979 April 1

Ayatollah Khodadad declares a new Arianian Islamic Republic

• 1979 April

Arianian militia formed

• 1979 May 1

Arianian Constitution changed

• 1979 Nov 10

Ariana nationalizes its oil industry

• 1980s

Ariana nuclear program goes dormant

• early 1980s

Ariana develops and trains the Shia Internationalist Brigades

• 1984

Ariana begins using fiber-optic cable

• 1985

Arianian government begins construction of the Shahid's Voice Communications Company

• 1989

The Shahid's Voice Communications Company becomes operational

• 1999 June 4

Ayatollah Khodadad dies

• 2009 February

Ariana launches a 1G communications satellite into orbit

• 30 years ago

Ariana border war with its eastern neighbor begins

• 22 years ago

Ariana border war with its eastern neighbor ends

• 20 years ago

God's Helpers Brigades founded

• 20 years ago

Ariana begins secret Uranium enrichment program

• 14 years ago

Mildly reformist politicians elected in Ariana; private print media flourishes

• 12 years ago

Arianians begin directly electing local officials

• 10 years ago

World Bank activity resumes in Ariana

• 10 years ago

Ariana begins privatizing industry

• 10 years ago

Ariana begins creating a domestic arms and military equipment manufacturing and service capability

• 9 years ago

Arianian nuclear facility at Natanz revealed

• 9 years ago December

US-funded Radio Safa begins Arianian transmissions into Ariana

• 8 years ago

Ahmad Moudin becomes Arianian president

• 6 years ago

Arianian Stock Exchange (ASE) begins allowing foreign investment

• 4 years ago

World Bank disbursements to Ariana peak

• 4 years ago

Ariana raises the voting age from 15 to 18

• 4 years ago

Most recent Arianian Forum of Proficiency and local elections

• 2 years ago

Most recent Arianian presidential and legislative elections; protests result

• last year

Ariana exports over $100 million in military hardware

• 3 months ago

Ariana's first nuclear power plant (Bushehr) goes online

• last month

Ariana begins construction of five more nuclear reactors

Routine, Cyclical Key Dates

Traditional Wedding Seasons

Due to the heavy Muslim influence, most people will not marry in the month of Ramadan. Some areas extend the time for prohibition against marriage to even longer periods, but it usually depends on the devoutness of the region’s inhabitants.

Since Muslims base Ramadan on a lunar cycle, Ramadan, as well as the entire Islamic calendar, moves 10-11 days earlier each year. While some Muslims base Ramadan on the sighting of the moon from Mecca, others base it on the sighting at their own location. Due to a difference in the view of the moon from one’s location on earth, Ramadan can actually begin and end on different dates in various parts of the world.

National and Religious Holidays

Ariana uses three different calendars—solar, lunar, and Gregorian—to determine holidays. Since the lunar calendar moves 10-11 days earlier each year, the months of the year will move from season to season. Individuals must know when the New Year starts in Ariana to determine when holidays will take place.

The Arianian solar calendar begins on the vernal or spring equinox each year, when day and night each last the same amount of time. This occurs on 21 March, give or take one day.

Solar Events

Holiday	Date	Description	Western Dates
Nowrooz (Nowruz)	Farvardin 1-4 (21-24 March, +/- 1 day)	Arianian New Year	21 March
Islamic Republic Day	Farvardin 12	After a national referendum, Ayatollah Khodadad declared a new Arianian Islamic Republic in 1979	1 April
Nature Day (Sizde-Bedar)	Farvardin 13	Marks the end of the Arianian New Year holiday season	2 April
Khodadad’s Death	Khordad 14	Commemorates the death of Ayatollah Khodadad in 1999	4 June
Revolt of Khordad 15	Khordad 15	Commemorates the 5 June 1963 incarceration of the Ayatollah Khodadad by the Arianian government	5 June
Victory of the Revolution	Bahman 22	Celebration of the 1979 Council of Guardians victory over the Pasha	11 February
Nationalization of Oil Industry	Esfand 29	Commemorates the nationalization of Ariana’s oil industry in 1979	10 November

Lunar Calendar

Arianians also use the lunar calendar, based upon the moon’s phases. Because 12 of the moon’s 28-day orbits around the earth do not equal a solar year, the Islamic calendar moves through the seasons. One cannot associate any Islamic month with a particular season like those that use the solar or Gregorian calendar, even if the month’s name harkens back to a particular time of the year. Islamic scholars base the start of each New Year on the actual sighting of the moon. Thus it is not possible to provide an exact Gregorian calendar date for future Islamic New Year’s Days.

Lunar Month	Name	Remarks
1	Muharram	Second most sacred month of the year as the word haram means “forbidden.” Some Muslims fast all month like in Ramadan while others fast only the first 10 days of the month, the 9th and 10th, or the 10th. The 10th of Muharram (Ashurah) commemorates Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammad. Though fighting is forbidden during Muharram, this does not preclude fighting for the sake of Islam.
2	Safar	The root word safr means whistle, yellow, or empty depending on the context. The month received its name from the whistling of the wind in one of the windiest months of the year.
3	Rabi’ al-awwal	Original meaning of the month was the “first month of spring.” Depending on a Muslim’s sect, the birth date of the Prophet Muhammad is celebrated on either the 12th or 17th of the month.
4	Rabi’ al-thani	Original meaning of the month was “second month of spring.”
5	Jumada al-awwal	The month’s name comes from the Arianian term for “parched earth,” but it has lost its association with the dry season by the shifting of the months through the years.
6	Jumada al-thani	The month’s name also comes from an Arianian word for “dry, parched land” but has since lost its actual meaning as it may actually occur in the rainy season.
7	Rajab	Rajaba means “respect” as Muslims begin to pray for Ramadan to arrive. Technically Muslims should not conduct war during this month, but exception is made if the warfare is for the cause of Islam.
8	Sha-aban	The month derives its name from the Arab word for “separation” as the clans would disperse to find water.
9	Ramadan	Most sacred of all months in Islam. Devout Muslims fast from sunup to sundown, avoiding all food and drink during daylight hours.
10	Shawwal	The month came from the word that meant “uplift” or “breakage.” After the Eid ul-Fitr (the breaking of the Ramadan fast), some devout Muslims fast for the next six days while other Muslims fast for six non-consecutive days in the month.
11	Dhu al-Qi’dah	The month’s name comes from the Arabic meaning “master of the truce” when Arabs did not conduct war. Technically Muslims should not conduct war during this month, but exception is made if the warfare is for the cause of Islam.
12	Dhu al-Hijjah	The month’s name means “possessor of the pilgrimage” and the Hadj takes place on the 8th, 9th, and 10th of the month. This is the fourth and final month of the Islamic calendar during which devout Muslims are not to conduct warfare.

Lunar Events

Holiday	Date	Description	Western Dates
Martyrdom of Fatima	Jumada-al-thani 3	Commemorates the death of Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad, in 632	2 March 2017 19 February 2018 9 February 2019
Birth of Imam Ali	Rajab 13	Birthday of Imam Hazrat Ali	10 April 2017 30 March 2018 20 March 2019
Mission of Muhammad	Rajab 27	Prophet Muhammad received his calling on this date	24 April 2017 13 April 2018 2 April 2019
Birth of Imam Mahdi	Sha-aban 15	Commemorates the birth of Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Mahdi, who did not die but was hidden by God	12 May 2017 1 May 2018 21 April 2019
Martyrdom of Imam Ali	Ramadan 21	Commemorates the death of Muhammad’s cousin & son-in-law who the Shias believe was the original Imam	16 June 2017 5 June 2018 26 May 2019
Eid ul-Fitr (End of Ramadan)	Shawwal 1	“Feast of Breaking the Fast” celebrates the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting	26 June 2017 15 June 2018 5 June 2019
Martyrdom of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq	Shawwal 25	Commemorates the death of Jafar al-Sadiq, an Imam who was killed in December 765 AD	20 July 2017 9 July 2018 29 June 2019
Eid-ul-Adha (Ghurban)	Dhu al-Hijjah 10	"Feast of the Sacrifice" celebrates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to God; Muslims sacrifice a lamb and give 1/3 of the meat to the poor	2 September 2017 22 August 2018 12 August 2019
Eid al-Ghadeer	Dhu al-Hijjah 18	Primary Shia Muslim holiday; celebrates the day the Prophet Muhammad gave his last instructions to his followers & named his successor	10 September 2017 30 August 2018 20 August 2019
Tasu’a of Imam Hussain	Muharram 9	Commemorates the attack on the camp of Muhammad’s grandson	30 September 2017 20 September 2018 9 September 2019
Ashura of Imam Hussain	Muharram 10	Shia day of mourning; celebrates the martyrdom of Muhammad’s grandson Hussein ibn Ali & his followers at the battle of Karbala; Shia communities reenact the day’s events	1 October 2017 21 September 2018 10 September 2019
Arba’een of Imam Hussain (Chelom)	Safar 20 (30 days after Ashura)	Commemorates the death of Muhammad’s grandson	10 November 2017 31 October 2018 20 October 2019
Demise of Prophet Muhammad (Mujtaba)	Safar 28	Commemorates the martyrdom of Muhammad & his grandson, Hassan	17 November 2017 8 November 2018 28 October 2019
Martyrdom of Imam Reza	Safar 29	Commemorates the assassination & martyrdom of Imam Reza in 818	18 November 2017 9 November 2018 29 October 2019
Birth of Muhammad & Imam Jafar al-Sadiq	Rabi’ al-awwal 17	Commemorates the birth of both Muhammad in 570/571 AD & Imam Jafar al-Sadiq in 700–702 AD	6 December 2017 26 November 2018 15 November 2019

Actual holidays based on the lunar calendar may fluctuate a day in either direction from what is listed above. In the month of Ramadan, very little activity takes place in daylight due to the requirement to fast. Holidays associated with religious or Council of Guardians Revolution events provide opportunities for Arianians to rally in support of or opposition to their government.

Harvest Cycles

Ariana’s harvest cycle normally begins in May and lasts through August. The harvest cycle begins with lowland crops in southern provinces where they reach maturity first and continues north as the other areas reach harvest time. The harvest cycle tends to largely impact Ariana’s rural population. Besides the actual harvest events in this period, other activities include the logistical support necessary to transport the crops from the rural areas to the urban cities. Planning, timing, and the weather determine whether Ariana realizes a successful harvest. The quality of the harvest impacts the entire country’s population and not just the agricultural sector. (See the Physical Environment variable for additional information on Ariana’s agriculture and the country’s seasons.)

Elections

Ariana conducts elections every four years for most offices. Parliamentary elections occur every four years, with Presidential elections occurring every six years. There are no term limits in any elected office. Arianians also elect their city and village councils every four years. The people elect the Forum of Proficiency, the 86 Islamic scholars who select the Supreme Leader and Arianian head of state. Members of the Forum of Proficiency are elected for eight-year terms. While in theory the Forum of Proficiency is supposed to monitor the Supreme Leader, in practice they are only legally required to meet for two days, twice per year, and the members usually do not discuss anything related to the Supreme Leader. All candidates must receive the approval of the Guardian Leadership Council to run for any office. The last presidential and legislative elections were two years ago, and the most recent elections of the Forum of Proficiency and local council positions were held four years ago. Four years ago, Ariana raised the minimum voting age from 15 years old to 18 years old.

Cultural Perception of Time

Most of the Caucasus area does not perceive the importance of time as the Western world does, especially as it relates to business. The more a country interacts with Western nations, however, the more the country accepts the Western idea of the importance of time.

While Westerners take time commitments such as deadlines and schedules very seriously, in the Caucasus time commitments are seen more as an objective to be achieved, if possible, rather than a requirement. Promptness is based on relationships. In the West, time is money. In the Caucasus, there is no problem with making people wait all day, and then telling them to come back the next day. A person from the Caucasus will be much more likely to be on time if the person who set the time commitment is close to him, such as a friend or family member. Business is conducted more on the basis of personal relationships than on respect for time.

Arianian society is not as sensitive to time when compared to the Western perception of time and accountability. The Arianians’ perception of time is more relaxed, both in the business setting as well as in their leisure hours. Many Arianians deem that personal requirements, needs, or desires take precedence over schedules, other people’s time, business, or appointments.

Arianians view time as less important than other factors, which is evident even when dealing with planning military operations. Arianian leaders value the process of planning over meeting a deadline imposed by an outside schedule. The concept of time, however, stretches across all aspects of their society. Three different calendars characterize the Arianians’ unique cultural concept of time.

Tactical Exploitation of Time

Caucasus Perception of Time

For the most part, people in the Caucasus perceive time as an unimportant resource in their lives. They believe that things will occur whether they take proactive action or not. Each country in the region possesses a long history, and people believe that their country will continue well into the future. Most of the people in the region look back to times when their ethnic group held the upper hand in interactions with their neighbors and hope that one day their country can become the dominant power again. The people do not look at time in the short term, but look forward to the long term when conditions will again allow them to take their rightful place among the world’s leaders. For Ariana and Atropia, their hydrocarbon resources may provide them the impetus to become a regional—if not world—power. For Gorgas and Limaria, their lack of natural resources will continue to plague their countries’ ability to improve their situation in the short term. Donovia wishes to regain the dominant regional influence it once commanded.

US Perception of Time

The time perception of allies in the region will frustrate the US, but the US can also take advantage of the lack of urgency of any opponents in the area. The US will need to help its regional allies understand that time is a precious resource that once wasted can never be recovered. Punctuality and a sense of urgency remain essential for a military to defeat the opponent on the battlefield. Due to the opponent's lack of a timetable and its apathetic disregard for punctuality, US forces and their allies will most likely find opportunities to get inside the opponent leaders’ decision cycles. Rapid US and allied action will cause the opponent to react to their actions instead of the opponent taking the initiative.

Summary

For the most part, the Caucasus countries view time differently than the US. Time is relatively unimportant to the people of Ariana, Atropia, Gorgas, and Limaria in almost every aspect of their lives. They lack a sense of urgency to accomplish tasks, in complete contrast to the Western world where almost everyone wants to accomplish as much as possible in as little time as possible. While the Donovian view of time is closer to that of the US than the other nations of the Caucasus, it is still notably different. All five cultures contain an extensive history dating back centuries and the people feel that whatever they do, their country will continue into the future. The area’s perception of time will cause the US to become frustrated with its allies, but will provide opportunities for exploitation of US opponents. To do so, however, the US will need to understand the nuances as each country perceives the relative importance of time somewhat differently.