Europe

DATE Europe Regional Map (Donovia expansion due in 2019)

The purpose of the Decisive Action Training Environment (DATE) Europe is to provide the training, education, and leader development community with a detailed description of the conditions of a series of composite operational environments (OEs) in the European region. Its intent is to present trainers with a tool to assist in the construction of scenarios to support specific training and education events rather than a specified scenario. DATE Europe offers discussions of OE conditions through the framework of political, military, economic, social, information, infrastructure, physical environment, and time (PMESII-PT) variables. DATE applies to all US Army institutional and operational units (Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve) and partner nations that participate in DATE compliant Army training exercises.

DATE Europe's composite countries encompass over 751,000 square kilometers (290,000 square miles), of a varied and complex region which encompasses much of Scandinavia. The region includes the OEs of Arnland, Bothnia, Framland, Otso, and Torrike. It also incorporates the influences and activities of OEs from other DATEs; principally Donovia-West, Olvana, and Pirtuni. The region has a long history of instability and conflict; ethnic and religious factionalism; and general political, military, and civilian unrest. In addition to these internal regional divisions, outside actors have increasing strategic interests in the region. DATE Europe thus represents a flashpoint where highly localized conflict can spill over into widespread unrest or general war.

DATE Europe adversary nations observed and analyzed western military operations since the early 1990’s. This includes but not limited to military operations such as Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, etc. Using knowledge developed from these observations, the nations redesigned their respective force structures, types of equipment, and doctrinal constructs to achieve the desired objective of a peer to peer to at least a near peer capable force. Respective modernization efforts began as early as 2008 and progressed steadily on a timeline to reach full modernization to a Tier One structure by the target year 2026. Recognizing that NATO Article 5 agreements specify that an armed attack against one or more partners constitutes an attack against all, the OEs shape their relations with NATO through the Gulf of Bothnia Cooperation Council (GBCC).

Key Points

• DATE Europe is neither a scenario or vignette. It is a conditional framework to facilitate the development of a scenario or vignette.
• With the exception of Arnland, Bothnia, Framland, Otso, Torrike, Donovia and Pirtuni all other countries in DATE Europe are real-world.
• Incorporates the complexity in the region created by both NATO members and partner nations.
• Real-world countries cannot be an adversarial country.
• Threat Force Structures (TFS) for each OE are equivalent to Administrative Structures in Western armies; Orders of Battle (ORBATs) are task-organized units from within a TFS.

DATE Europe Operational Environments (OEs)

Arnland

Main article: Arnland

Arnland sits on the southern tip of the Torrikan peninsula. Originally part of the Skolkan Empire, it gained independence in 1917. Arnland is a multi‐party democratic republic with open elections. There are currently seven political parties with varied representation in the National Assembly, two of these—the center right and the social democrats—have dominated the political landscape for the past 25 years. Arnland’s foreign policy supports the country’s strategic goal of maintaining its independence. The Arnish maintain neutrality in the region while fostering diplomatic—and in some cases military—relations with their regional neighbors. The regional and international relationships maintained and the priorities that are placed in maintaining them change as the ruling parties change, and are a major cause of internal political tension. The European Union (EU) has been in negotiations with Arnland over membership but has yet to enter into any formal agreement.

The Arnland Armed Forces consists of two distinct components. The Active Defense Force comprises the regular Army, Navy and Air Force units subordinated to the General Staff, while the Standby Defense Force is a regionally based reserve force that answers to the regional governor in peacetime and to the General Staff during war. Arnland’s military forces are essentially dysfunctional. Although there are pockets of excellence, the majority of the forces is poorly trained, poorly equipped, badly paid, and ineffective.

Bothnia

Main article: Bothnia

Bothnia is a socialist state; although officially there are three main political parties, in reality the Socialist Party of Bothnia dominates the political environment—in effect allowing the other two parties to exist to offer the illusion of choice for the population. Relations with other former Skolkan Empire countries are good except for that with Torrike, which has been strained over Bothnia’s growing claims on the island of Gotland.

The essence of Bothnia’s defense policy is to defend the State and the achievements of the Bothnian people against all aggressors and threats, whether external or internal. To this end, the purpose of the military is to prepare, plan and execute the total defense of Bothnia, in conjunction with all other agencies of the Bothnian State. The policy allows for all methods to be used to ensure the survival of the State and does not preclude preemptive actions or actions limited to the territory of Bothnia. As such, Bothnia’s military is sizeable, with some 120,000 troops in service and theoretically, another 1,000,000 eligible to be mobilized from the Reserve.

The deterioration of relations with Torrike and the expansion of NATO have forced Bothnia to reevaluate its status in the region. It increasingly sees Donovia as an ally and a useful counterbalance to the influence of NATO and the EU. Bothnia is also wary of the motivations of the Baltic States following their admission into NATO; as a result, Bothnia perceives “threats” from multiple entities.

Framland

Main article: Framland

Framland is a prosperous country to the east of Torrike; it stretches from the Baltic Sea to north of the Arctic Circle. The country is a multi‐party constitutional monarchy with open elections and political power vested in the prime minister. Its population enjoys freedom of speech and expression, and its relatively stable economy ensures a reasonable standard of living. The Framish people clearly consider themselves Europeans, but are hesitant to become a member of the EU, seeing it as compromising their national identity.

While maintaining good relations with the rest of European nations, Framland is extremely aware of the strategic visions of Bothnia and Torrike. Their claims to power and land within the region create the potential for confrontation with Framland. Notwithstanding these perceptions, Framland cultivates and enjoys good relations with both of its larger neighbors. It is a member of the UN and continues to build its relationship with both NATO and the EU, albeit keeping the latter two at arm’s length. Framland and Donovia have normal political relations with growing economic and cultural exchanges, especially on a regional basis; however, they both foster an age‐old distrust, and have diverging attitudes toward democracy and human rights.

The Framland Defense Force is unusual in the region in that it is all volunteer and as such is also the smallest force in the region by a considerable margin. Notwithstanding size, the armed forces in general, and the army in particular, have considerable operational expertise gained through deployments in support of UN and other international military missions. In keeping with the country’s modern and Western outlook, the armed forces are completely apolitical. The Framish government uses its armed forces as a useful diplomatic tool to build stability throughout the world.

Otso

Main article: Otso

Otso sits on the easternmost edge of the region. Previously part of a larger Otsobothnia, it has been an independent nation since the end of World War II. Otso is a constitutional monarchy with open elections and three prominent political parties. The country prides itself on being neutral not only within the old Skolkan region, but also in regards to the EU and NATO. In reality, the government and populace tend to have Donovian sympathies. Donovia originally utilized Otso as a buffer between itself and the wider alliance of Torrike and Bothnia. The recent souring of the relationship between Bothnia and Torrike created the opportunity to use Otso as a stepping stone to advance Donovia’s influence in the region.

Otso’s main political and military aim is to contribute to regional stability through the application of a firm and fair policy of neutrality. Otso considers itself as setting an enlightened example and support for the UN is a key pillar of this policy. A primary component of this is to ensure that any dispute is brought to arbitration at the earliest opportunity and full engagement of the relevant international bodies is actively pursued.

Otso has a small population and its armed forces are correspondingly small. The basic structure is built on the Otsonian perception of the Canadian model, with a single service (defense forces) and specialist branches (land, air, naval). The forces are largely conscripted, with a professional core; the ratio of regular personnel to conscripts varies depending on the complexity of the assigned task. On completion of service, conscripts have a reserve liability until their 50th birthday.

Torrike

Main article: Torrike

Torrike lies furthest west in the region and represents the heartland and remnant core of a once considerably larger and more powerful political entity, the Skolkan Empire. The country’s formal political system is a democratic republic, with both President and Parliament being subject to periodic election. However, Torrike’s power structure is highly centralized and features appointment rather than election to most offices, with control of patronage resting with the President. Parliament is dominated by the Torrike Unity Party, either alone or in coalition with the Torrikan Nationalist Party. There are formal and informal mechanisms for dealing with political dissent that are used ruthlessly when needed; however, most Torrikans are content with their system, and those who oppose current policies have little traction.

The basis for the country’s foreign policy is the overriding principle that Torrike is the natural regional leader and that the other nations should align themselves under its benevolent guidance. Frictions are high between Torrike and Bothnia due to the latter’s recent Gotland Island claims, despite it being in Torrikan waters. This is further exacerbated by the improving relationship between Bothnia and Donovia, putting not only the Torrikan concept of resurrecting a Torrike-led empire in jeopardy, but also strengthening Bothnia’s position within the region. Torrike has increasingly come to regard NATO as an aggressive, expansionist, and interventionist political entity that poses a potential strategic threat to the country’s regional ambitions. Framland is considered a reliable neighbor, albeit one with a differing international outlook.

The Torrikan Armed Forces are modern, structurally sound, and well equipped. As a largely conscript force, national service is used to identify suitable candidates for long-term service and the reserves. All adults are subject to conscription and must complete an induction period that provides basic military training and an assessment period for identifying potential future leaders. The armed forces have always had a highly intellectual approach to warfare, seeking to maximize their effectiveness through a vigorous analysis of strategy and tactics. However, the Torrikan Armed Forces have little actual operational experience and have only exercised with Framland and, to a lesser extent, Arnland. Otsonian military observers monitoring Torrikan exercises have found them to be somewhat rigid in their operations and tactics.

Donovia-West

Main article: Donovia-West

Donovia West is situated in Eastern Europe on the East European Plain, the eastern part of the Great European Plain, the largest mountain-free landform in Europe, although a number of hills and highlands are interspersed within. The country is bordered to the north by the White Sea, the Barents Sea and the Kara Sea, all arms and bays of the Arctic Ocean. In the west the country is bordered by Norway, Otso, a small part of the Baltic Sea (at the Gulf of Bothnia), the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, then Belarus and Pirtuni (from north to south), there is also a border with Poland (at Kaliningrad).

United Republics of Donovia is nominally a republic, but in reality operates as an authoritarian state. Despite outward moves toward democracy, the small political/economic elite maintain power through control of the dominant political party, the Unionist Democratic Party (UDP). The UDP, in turn, dominates the political and economic landscapes. Despite a tumultuous past, the Donovian political structure is generally stable. Despite the creation of a strong central authority, Donovia strives to retain a veneer of democracy and a free market economy. While corruption within the government has long been tolerated, the population’s willingness to overlook abuses of power is tied to their economic outlook. Western Donovian military leadership, practice, and ad hoc deployment along the Baltic borders all suggest Donovian Leadership is much more likely to pursue a hybrid approach in the Baltic in coordination with a conventional mechanized invasion to maintain its borders and protection of Kaliningrad.

Strategic Positioning

The Skolkan Empire once comprised all of what are now the countries of Arnland, Bothnia, Framland, Otso, and Torrike, with lordship over Norway. The Empire periodically attempted to extend its power into Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, but its influence was always tenuous. Toward the end of the 19th century it became more and more obvious that the cohesion among the Skolkan nations was rapidly degrading. The Empire ultimately split into the countries of Arnland, Framland, Torrike, and Otsobothnia, with the latter eventually dividing into the nations of Otso and Bothnia; Norway also gained independence during this turbulent time.

Relations among the countries in this region are heavily influenced by this past history and proximity to Donovia. Framland considers itself a staunchly neutral European nation and is wary of its stronger and more ambitious neighbors of Bothnia and Torrike. Arnland works to maintain its independence through neutrality and diplomacy, and leans toward the West and EU membership; it also borders the regionally important choke point between the North Sea/Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic Sea. Torrike is working to re-establish an empire and sees itself as the regional leader—thus setting itself against Donovian interests in the region. Torrike’s alliance with Bothnia helped bolster its position until their recent falling out over the island of Gotland. As the westernmost country on the Gulf of Finland, Bothnia can potentially limit both Otso’s and Donovia’s wider maritime access to the Baltic Sea as well. However, the country is unlikely to do so: it simultaneously views Donovia as an ally and Otso as a buffer against the same—thus helping to ensure its continued independence. Otso seeks to utilize this position to its advantage, fostering positive relations with both Donovia and Bothnia in order to cement its position as a neutral neighbor and buffer state.

Strategic Logistics Conditions

For each country the strategic logistics complex is the foundation for support of national military objectives. Fundamental logistics objectives make possible the twin notions of total war and employing all means necessary. As a consequence, each country fully integrates civilian and military components of both its materiel and service industries to support national defense. Thus, the strategic logistics complex includes the national industrial base with its supply points, distribution centers, arsenals, plants, manufacturing facilities, medical support, and personnel support centers. While this national industrial base is capable of building everything from small arms to nuclear-capable missiles, the government of each country sets policy to define logistic priorities that direct the selection of system designs, production targets, and support of fielded systems.

The design of national level logistics systems focuses on meeting the needs of the nation for both civilian and defense sectors. The degree to which government policy emphasizes one sector over the other determines the type military force available to meet national objectives for offense or defense. Ultimately, each country approaches national security strategy with the view that both its military force and the entire population be prepared for the sudden outbreak of war or for response to natural disasters. Each country directs and provides resources to make major improvements in all aspects of its logistics system based on these priorities.

OE Security Policy

In planning and execution, each OE establishes priorities and assigns responsibilities to each department or ministry for support of national defense. The government leadership specifies a lead individual, directorate, or agency to act as the executive agent, responsible for integrating all the instruments of national power under one cohesive national security strategy. Each OE accomplishes this security function using different techniques but ultimately their objective is overall defense of the country.

The executive agent marshals all elements of national power to fulfill security policy. Policy execution ranges from identification and allocation of civilian and military manpower to designation of raw materials to maintain a ratio of consumer goods to military systems. Management of manpower resources entails several approaches; maintenance of a standing army, a mix of military cadre supported by a large reserve for wartime mobilization, or even a reliance on private military contract expertise. The method selected determines peacetime military force, training, and other resources as well as the mobilization structure required to achieve full national defensive posture.

Regional Views of the US

The view that each country holds toward the US primarily aligns with its political leaning and strategic position. Torrike is wary of the US for several reasons: the plan to revive some form of a Torrike-lead empire; US dominance in the Atlantic Ocean—and thus ability to curtail Torrikan access to the same; and US presence in neighboring NATO member Norway. Bothnia takes a similar view of US power and influence in the region, and for comparable reasons. Otso is careful to remain neutral in its interactions with the United States in light of its geographical position as Bothnia’s and Donovia’s neighbor. Framland and Arnland are inclined to view the US as part of the NATO and EU counterbalance to Bothnia, Donovia, and Torrike—which helps ensure their continued independence—and react accordingly. While US strength is respected throughout the region, none of the countries would place the United States in the category of “friend or protector.”

Regional PMESII-PT Overview

Political

The governments in DATE Europe tend to fall on opposite ends of the spectrum. Arnland, Framland, and Otso are liberal democracies, while Bothnia and Torrike are effectively one-party autocratic governments. With the exception of Torrike—which desires regional hegemony—all of the governments act in ways to ensure their country’s continued existence as an independent entity, either by working to remain neutral or by allying themselves with other, more powerful nations or organizations.

REGIONAL SUMMARY
	Arnland	Bothnia	Framland	Otso	Torrike	Donovia-West
Political	Democratic republic Multi-party Open elections Ineffective government	Socialist state One dominant political party with two peripheral parties Government centralized control	Democracy Multi-party Open elections Social democratic leanings	Constitutional monarchy Multi-party democracy Open elections Neutral diplomatically	Parliamentary democracy in name only Multi-party with one party domination Open elections Political core of former Skolkan	Constitutional democracy, but in practice an oligarchy One dominant political party, with adjunct parties Centralized control and political stability valued Candidates for office controlled by the party

Gulf of Bothnia Cooperation Council

The major regional entity is the Gulf of Bothnia Cooperation Council (GBCC), an intergovernmental political and economic union. Member States consist of all countries of the Gulf of Bothnia: Arnland, Bothnia, Framland, Otso, and Torrike; Donovia has Observer status.

The GBCC members have an established security cooperation agreements with Donovia. The agreement ensures annual training and exchanges with a focus on equipment, military doctrine, counter-terrorism, arms control, and broader government cooperation. The GBCC has been working with Donovia and other western countries on buying counter-UAV technology, robotics, and training. 

Military

Military forces in the region vary in size, but have similar purposes. Arnland has a small, dysfunctional defensive military that is focused on the country’s perception that Torrike poses a threat to its independence. Bothnia’s military forces are strongly defensive in nature and focused against the West, though possession of ballistic missiles means the country could choose to take the offense. In addition, the nation is modernizing its defense equipment. Framland possesses the smallest armed forces in the region. Acutely aware of this fact, the country focuses on other methods—diplomatic and economic—to help ensure its continued existence as an independent entity. Otso’s military focus is two-fold: defend against external aggression, and support world peace through deployments in support of international peacekeeping or humanitarian missions. Torrike fields modern, well-equipped armed forces designed to prevent interference with its regional ambitions by outside parties—namely NATO. While the military is supposedly defensive in nature, Torrike states it will not hesitate to use power projection in order to protect its interests. Each nation within the GBCC as well as Donovia are trained in river crossing operations and bridge construction. Typical capabilities include assembly of a pontoon bridge up to 544 meters in length over water in 24 hours that is capable of supporting rail and vehicular traffic. Each nation also can assemble a 200 meter pontoon bridge of similar type and function in approximately 12 hours.

Despite its public statements about being a political and economic entity only, defense matters are discussed within the forum of the GBCC but there has been no suggestion of any military alliance. However in the last three years there has been an increase in military activities. Recent GBCC activities have expanded to include increased military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and counter‐terrorism.

There have been a number of GBCC joint military exercises. The first of these was held in 2003, with the first phase taking place in Torrike and the second in Bothnia. Since then Torrike and Bothnia teamed up for large‐scale war games in in odd-numbered years (2005, 2007, 2009, and 2011) under the auspices of the GBCC, but since the dispute over the sovereignty of Gotland began there have been no further joint exercises.

Many observers believe that one of the original purposes of the GBCC was to serve as a counterbalance to NATO and other organizations such as the EU with a military structure, however this never quite came to fruition.

REGIONAL SUMMARY
	Arnland	Bothnia	Framland	Otso	Torrike	Donovia-West
Military	Small military (41,000) Poorly equipped (Tier 3 to 4) Mix of Regular and Conscripts Priority is 'Defense and preservation of the Arnish state'	Sizeable military (120,000) Equipment ranges from Tier 1 to Tier 3 Around 50% are conscripts (mainly Land Forces) Priority is defense, but does not preclude 'Preemptive actions'	Very small military (20,000) Equipment is mainly Tier 4 No conscription Priority is to defend to allow a diplomatic solution	Very small military (25,000) Equipment is mainly Tier 4 Mix of Regular and Conscripts Priority is to remain neutral	Large military (150,000) Equipment is Tier 1-2 Mix of Regular and Conscripts Priority is 'Protection of the homeland'	Dominant regional military Equipment is Tier 1 Conscription 12 months for ages 18-27 Possesses a strategic first-strike policy

Economic

The economic conditions in the five countries cover a wide spectrum, ranging from strong open markets, to weak capitalistic systems reliant on international aid, to oppressive state-controlled ones. Despite their differences, the countries’ economies are heavily intertwined with each other. Arnland exports goods and electricity to Torrike and the EU. Bothnia’s primary trading partners are other regional countries. Framland receives part of its energy from Torrike—one of its most important trade partners. Otso is heavily dependent on raw material imports from other regional countries. Torrike relies on Arnland for energy and labor. Any major change to just one of the regional economies could have significant ripple effects on those of the others.

REGIONAL SUMMARY
	Arnland	Bothnia	Framland	Otso	Torrike	Donovia-West
Economic	Mixed economy that continues to weaken GDP USD58.4 billion Poor financial management practices Corruption highest in the region	Economy centrally planned and controlled GDP USD203 billion Weak economically but new resource discovery holds potential for growth Corruption evident and an issue in some sectors	Diverse economy GDP USD103 billion Government is fiscally responsible and conservative with expenditures Corruption is actively controlled and is second lowest in the region.	Industrialized, mixed economy GDP USD 52.6 billion Resource poor Little corruption, lowest in the region	Market economy GDP USD317.6 billion Government emphasis on high technology industries and arms production Maintains stringent anti-corruption administrative and legal measures	Centralized economy with wealth concentrated with wealthy elites GDP USD4.008 trillion Prioritizes military spending over other domestic areas Leading world producer of oil and natural gas

Social

The countries in the region vary little in social aspects. All possess a nearly homogeneous population in terms of both ethnicity and language, with English as a common second language. Christian religions—primarily Lutheran and Catholic—are the most common faiths, but church attendance is sparse and an increasing number of people do not identify with a religion at all. Though indigenous religions are present, they are followed by only a small minority of the population. Birth rates are low throughout the region, while the percentage of elderly is growing. Education is highly valued in all countries as a way for individuals to improve their socioeconomic situations, and public education is universal and usually high-quality. The exception is Arnland, where residents must rely on private tutoring for any hope of gaining acceptance to a university. Crime in the region tends to be similar in type and level to that of other Europeans nations.

REGIONAL SUMMARY
	Arnland	Bothnia	Framland	Otso	Torrike	Donovia-West
Social	Health care free but ineffective and inequitable Primary religions: Protestant, Catholic, Islam, and others Income per Capita: Lowest in GBCC Languages: Arnish, English Human rights: Low	Health care: Government administered system Income per Capita: fourth in GBCC Religions: Protestant and Catholic Languages: Bothnian, Donovian, and English Human rights: Moderate	Health care: Marginally effective government system Income per Capita: third in GBCC Religions: Primarily Catholic with some Protestant Languages: Framish, Torrikan, Sami, English Human rights: Moderate	Health care: Both public and private Income per Capita: second in GBCC Religions: Predominantly Protestant with a small Catholic segment Languages: Otsonian, English Human rights: Progressive	Government health care is efficient and widespread Income per Capita: Highest in GBCC Religions: Protestant, non-aligned, Wicca Languages: Torrikan, Framish, Arnish, English Human rights: Outwardly strong but neglected in reality	Government health care is poor to good, dependent on wealth, with the wealthy seeking healthcare outside the country Income per Capita: Religions: Christian, Muslim, Judaism, and Buddhism Languages: Bashkir, Chuvash, Erzya, Moksha, Komi, Hill Mari, Meadow Mari, Tatar, Udmurt Human Rights: Routinely ignored as a priority

Information

The countries all possess a modern communications architecture and each government recognizes the importance and influence of media and its control. Approaches range from extremely loose to tight governmental control. Bothnia and Torrike practice strong control over public communications media in an attempt to control their populations, while Arnland, Framland, and Otso do the opposite. However, even in the latter group there is some soft censorship: extremist views are rarely published, and Otsonian media outlets are wary of distributing material that would easily offend Donovia or Bothnia. New means of information-sharing using modern technology are rapidly adopted by the population, unless the government intervenes in an attempt to control information flow.

REGIONAL SUMMARY
	Arnland	Bothnia	Framland	Otso	Torrike	Donovia-West
Information	Modern communications infrastructure and architecture Free from government controls or manipulation INFOWAR capabilities are dated and lagging behind. Space-based capabilities obtained from partners or commercial sources.	Technologically advanced telecommunications infrastructure Government control of information media Robust INFOWAR capabilities Commercial contracts provide space-based communication, observation, and navigation functions.	Telecommunications infrastructure is modern and well-funded Privatized media outlets dominated by former government agencies Older INFOWAR systems with current capabilities provided by commercial sources Commercial contracts provide space-based communication, observation, and navigation functions.	Telecommunications infrastructure is modernized and technologically advanced Free and unrestricted media Limited INFOWAR capabilities Leases space-based capabilities from Donovia	Highly developed with advanced telecommunication infrastructure Government controlled and monitored information media Advanced INFOWAR capabilities in niche areas Leasing space-based systems and developing independent systems	Highly developed telecommunications infrastructure Government influences and controls media platforms Information warfare (INFOWAR) capabilities are highly developed and world-leading in a number of critical areas Possesses wide range of satellite capabilities, dual-used by the military

Infrastructure

The region displays relative uniformity of infrastructure in types, scope, and maintenance levels. Over 60% of the populace resides in cities; the one notable exception is Framland, where fewer than half of the residents live in an urban environment. With the exception of the far north, utilities and transportation are well-distributed in both urban and rural areas. Power generation relies heavily on hydropower, nuclear, and fossil fuels, with renewable fuels (biomass, peat, wood) and wind power playing a lesser role. All countries have modern Western-style roads, rail, airports, seaports, and mass transit, though maintenance levels vary somewhat. Framland and Torrike’s infrastructures are well-maintained; Bothnia and Otso have recently completed infrastructure development programs, including improvements to their ports for cold-weather operations; while Arnland’s deteriorating infrastructure reflects the country’s struggle to fund maintenance. Of the five countries, Otso is the only country whose infrastructure is somewhat lacking in scope. Regional travel is efficient and can occur by road, rail, ferry, or aircraft.

Donovia has multiple rail lines to support the transport of commercial and military cargo and equipment towards the borders of Estonia, Latvia, and Belarus. During the past 12 years, Donovia has conducted multiple upgrades to the rail network system (digital switching, improved track, and diesel powered engines) to support the movement of heavy cargo such as coal, oil, petroleum products, industrial chemical products, and containerized cargo. The rail lines are generally single track broad gauge. However, there are some segments that are double track.

REGIONAL SUMMARY
	Arnland	Bothnia	Framland	Otso	Torrike	Donovia-West
Infrastructure	Balanced transportation networks from Skolkan era Roads - 40,000 km / with 20,000 paved - bridges in poor repair Rail - Standard gauge Fleet - 40 ship merchant marine fleet Seaports - 10 major ports, 8 minor ports Air - 1 international and 7 regional airports Power - Hydroelectric, fossil fuel, nuclear, and wind sources Urban areas predominantly along the coast with many in complex island terrain	Donovia sponsored transportation development programs Roads - 39,524 km with 19,630 km paved - bridges in good repair Rail - 3,642 km broad gauge of which 1187 km electrified Fleet - 90 ship merchant fleet Seaports - 13 major ports, 12 minor ports Air - 4 international and 12 regional airports Power - State owned renewable, fossil fuel and nuclear power facilities Larger urban areas on the coast with several inland cities in the southern part of the country	Roads - 55,000 km with 27,000 paved - bridges are in good repair Rail - 2,660 km Fleet - 54 merchant fleet vessels Seaports - 6 major ports, 10 minor ports Air - 1 international and 15 regional airports Power - 70% from renewable sources Smaller urban areas with limited numbers of residents	Limited transportation network Roads - 53,000 km with 15,000 km paved - bridges on paved roads are in good repair Rail - 2,410 kilometers of broad gauge Fleet - 57 ship merchant fleet Seaports - 2 major ports, 2 minor ports Air - 1 international and 12 regional airports Power - Renewable (waste-to-energy, wind) and fossil fuel power facilities Limited number of large urban areas with all located on bodies of water	Modern, well-developed infrastructure Roads - 154,000 km with 119,000 km paved - bridges in good repair Rail - 12,000 km of various gauges Fleet - 96 cargo ships, 7 icebreakers Seaports - 9 major ports, 11 minor ports Air - 1 international and 12 regional airports Power - Renewable (waste-to-energy), fossil fuel, and nuclear generation Urban - 14 metropolitan areas	Modern and well-developed in large urban areas, with less attention paid to rural areas Roads - Highway System is vast and poorly maintained outside major urban areas Rails - total length 2,700 km, mostly electrified Seaports - Last year, 136.6 million tons of cargo carried over inland waterways, with 53 22.8 million passengers Air - highly dependent on, ranging from grass strip airfields to international airports and naval air stations and air bases which may also provide civilian airport support. Power - Electricity supplied by thermal, coal, hydroelectric, and nuclear plants. Urban - Federal entities in the west are more densely populated, with more developed infrastructure

Physical Environment

Arnland, Framland, and Torrike lie to the west of the Gulf of Bothnia, on the same peninsula as Norway, while Bothnia and Otso are on the eastern side. Each country possesses a mainland area, a coastline, and a few outer islands. The countries all consist of flat to rolling terrain except Torrike, which also has a mountainous spine on its western border. Heavily treed, the far southern part of the region has deciduous trees, while the more northern areas boast conifers. The elevations of Torrike's higher mountains lie above the tree line and are covered with hardy grasses. The southern areas experience a temperate climate, while the northern climate is subarctic in nature. All countries have four seasons, with winter increasing in length the farther north one travels—resulting in a corresponding lessening of agricultural cultivation. Major geographic features include the Torrikan Mountains and a plethora of rivers, lakes, and streams. The most important bodies of water are the seas and gulfs, which provide both sustenance and a means of transportation. Several islands in the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Bothinia, such as Gotland and Bornholm, lie in obvious strategic locations that dominate shipping, telecommunications, and commercial air routes throughout the region; there are however, 39 islands in the region, each offering differing opportunities for both friend and foe. Multiple natural hazards exist, including droughts, floods, forest fires, land and mudslides in the mountains, and ice floes on the major bodies of water.

REGIONAL SUMMARY
	Arnland	Bothnia	Framland	Otso	Torrike	Donovia-West
Physical Environment	An even topography less than 400m above sea level Land area - 52,292 km2 Inland water - 12,900 km of coastline	Thousands of lakes and large forests cover 2/3 of country Land area - 155,927 km2 Inland water - 30,800 km of coastline	Even topography less than 300m above sea level Land area - 99,520 km2 Inland water - 24,000 islands and islets	Heavily forested with numerous lakes Land area - 52,292 km2 4,700 km inland waterways and 60,000 lakes	Even topography less than 400m above sea level Land area - 52,292 km2 Inland water - 35,964 km2 mainly in the southern part of the country	Two plains, two lowlands, two plateaus, and mountainous areas, with 100,000 rivers greater than 7 miles Land area - 1,528,965 Inland water - 23,553 (est)

Time

All DATE Europe countries use the Gregorian calendar. Arnland, Framland, and Torrike are in the Central European time zone (GMT +1), while Bothnia and Otso are on Eastern European time (GMT +2). All of the regional countries observe Daylight Savings Time (DST). The relative proximity to the North Pole means that the days are very long in summer (up to 18 hours of sunlight) and short in winter (seven hours of sunlight).

Approaches to time are consistent throughout the region: good timekeeping is the norm, and poor timekeeping is seen as disrespectful. The only notable exception is Bothnia, in that the more senior/high-ranking an individual is, the more lax he will be in adhering to a schedule. This is accepted and should be taken into account when planning meetings, etc.

REGIONAL SUMMARY
	Arnland	Bothnia	Framland	Otso	Torrike	Donovia-West
Time	Monochronic Observes all Christian Holidays, New Year's Eve and Day and six other regional holidays	Polychronic Observes all Christian Holidays, New Year's Eve and Day and nine other regional holidays	Monochronic Observes all Christian Holidays, New Year's Eve and Day and five other regional holidays	Monochronic Observes all Christian Holidays, New Year's Eve and Day and eight other regional holidays	Polychronic Observes all Christian Holidays, New Year's Eve and Day and six other regional holidays	Polychronic Observe Christian holidays, New Year's Day, national patriotic holidays

Hybrid Irregular Armed Groups

Criminal Organizations and Activities

Crime is a growing problem throughout the region. Most common is smuggling of several varieties. However, transnational organized crime organizations exist in each country and have linkages to the Caucuses, the Pacific, Africa, and Europe; more details of those transnational criminal organizations operating in the European region can be found within the Threat Actors page.

DATE Europe Transnational Criminal Organizations

Transnational Criminal Organization	Criminal activity	Gulf of Bothnia Cooperation Council (GBCC) Countries	Extra-regional linkage
Atbrivosana/ATB	Hackers-for-hire. Linked to ZI. No allegiance to NATO or the former Skolkan countries but will work with them for the right price.	Bothnia, Framland, Otso, Torrike	*Suspected of assisting Donovia in disinformation campaigns  *Linked to ZI in Latvia
Baltic Buddies	Cyber theft Media manipulation Perception management through the Internet Development and dissemination of “fake news”	Bothnia	*Estonia *Latvia *Lithuania *Suspected cells throughout Europe
Blood sport	Smuggling and human trafficking	Arnland, Torrike	Donya Syndicate from Kujenga, Africa
Donovian Mafia	Prostitution, drug trafficking, smuggling etc.	Bothnia, Framland, Otso, Torrike	Donovian Mafia in the Caucasus
Furnace Motorcycle Club (MC)	Drug production and distribution, prostitution, smuggling etc. Murder for hire	Bothnia, Framland, Otso, Torrike	*U.S. chapters  *Bocyowicz Crime Family (BCF) in Atropia
“G.Y.” = Gammal Yrkesbrottsling	Protection, cigarette smuggling, pimping	Torrike	Criminals in Norway and Framland
Legion	Robbery Extortion	Torrike	Hodari Cartel in Amari, Africa
Nutakus	Asian smuggling Corruption stevedores at ports, local law enforcement officers and judges	Bothnia, Torrike	Nutakus in Olvana
Saints of Cognitio (SoC)	INFOWAR capabilities, Computer warfare	Bothnia	Elements in Ariana, Atropia, and Donovia, with increasing activity world-wide
Uber Cyber “Tree”, AKA “SPRUC_3”, “Spruce 3”, “3ntity”, and “Entity”	Decentralized Anonymous network of “Black hat” hackers. Anti-NATO in political position.	Arnland, Bothnia, Torrike	Europe
Ziepiekkalns Izturiba (ZI), AKA “Ziepiekkalns Resistance”	Kidnapping, prostitution and trafficking, extortion	Arnland, Otso	*Latvia  *Europe  *ATB