Global Liberation Army

The Global Liberation Army, often known by its abbreviation GLA is a quasi-terrorist, transnational organization, operating mainly in the Middle East. Its memberships and affiliates included terrorists, freedom fighters and political idealists. The growth and actions of the GLA during the early decades of the 21st century provoked a World War with the allied forces of the United States of America and the People's Republic of China, with saw many brutal battles fought across Europe, Asia and Africa between the GLA and the military of the superpowers as well as between GLA splinter factions.

Base of Operations
GLA bases are scattered across the globe, though over a period of several years the GLA has steadily been building up their strength and support in the Third World, mainly in the Middle East. It had a number of 'main' bases, although the destruction of these often did little to halt the GLA's spread, and so it is debatable as to whether or not the organization had a central 'nerve center' at all.

Their empire stretched to:
 * Kazakstan
 * Germany
 * Iran
 * Iraq
 * China
 * Aldastan
 * Crete
 * Egypt
 * Somalia

Resources
The GLA began with a financial injection from a number of shadowy, wealthy backers (many of whom, such as Prince Kassad, would go on to become GLA generals), and gained much of its funding hence from raiding resources, such as United Nations foreign aid supplies. They also had ties with the Black Market which brought them a steady cash flow as well as access to advanced weapons.

The GLA was highly resourceful, raiding old Soviet weapons dumps and employing ex-Soviet scientists and even scavenging spare parts from the battlefield. While GLA vehicles could not match their modern competitors on the battlefield, GLA commanders were highly devious and unscrupulous, and American and Chinese generals underestimated them at their peril.

Political Structure
The GLA is known to be highly decentralized. This is one of the reasons UN attempts at negotiation has failed so miserably. Their leaders are scattered across many countries and the GLA are divided among themselves into factions. At times, with a skilled and strong leader at the helm, the GLA is capable of operating as a somewhat cohesive entity. With the absence of an effective leader, however, infighting is not uncommon.

Relations between GLA factions is thus a complex web of alliances, deals, betrayals and power struggles. When a prominent GLA researcher and leader Dr. Thrax was killed, a power struggle ensued between General Mohmar "Deathstrike" and Prince Kassad. Defections by GLA splinter cells to either the Americans or Chinese sometimes occurred.

Ideology
The goals and motives of the GLA are, even now, unclear, such is the secretive nature of the organization. Their ideology can be summarized as aggressive pseudo-religious populist anti-imperialism.

The GLA is seemingly opposed to anything they deemed exploitative, imperialist or immoral, whatever they are. The GLA was opposed to the superpowers having any involvement in the affairs of lesser nations, as they perceived their involvements (including humanitarian support) as neo-colonialist acts. GLA leaders referred to the Americans and Chinese as 'scourge of humanity', characterizing China as 'The Dragon', USA as 'The Killer Falcon' and even referring to their enemies as 'infidels'. For example General Mohmar referring to rogue Prince Kassad as 'infidels'.

The aspiring freedom fighters and desperate fanatics who made up its ranks often truly believed they were standing up for the downtrodden peoples of the world, in spite of the fact that they often culled civilians in their way. During its existence the GLA succeeded in inspiring a great fanaticism among its considerable number of followers, to the point where many were willing to kill themselves for the cause.

Political Influence
The GLA managed to gain the support of many of the world's disenfranchised peoples. Its splinter cells are scattered around the world. In certain areas, the GLA acted as the de facto government (as was the situation in Mogadishu, Somalia). The GLA also used the media to spread their propaganda - ARC News is allegedly funded by the GLA or one of their backers, and it is through this channel that the GLA leadership issued official statements.

Known Leaders

 * Dr. Thrax
 * General Mohmar (Also known as "Deathstrike")
 * Prince Kassad
 * General Juhziz
 * Jarmen Kell
 * Kanwar Khan

The GLA War
Experts traced the origins of the GLA back to the first decade of the 21st century, to the string of terrorist attacks masterminded by several major figures in the Middle East, including Rodall Juhziz and Prince Kassad, who would later become the leaders of the GLA.

In 2020, the GLA made major news when they began to infiltrate Western China. There, the GLA began to build popular support for a secessionist movement. The uneasy confrontation in China exploded into a full-scale conflict when GLA military units suddenly attacked the Yecheng Military Depot. They stole thousands of rounds of ammunition before destroying a nearby nuclear reactor, contaminating large areas of China with dangerous levels of radiation, understandably incurring the fury of the Chinese government. Insisting on dealing with the GLA themselves, China refused to allow UN monitors into the country or any UN attempt to negotiate with the GLA. Although the United States provided satellite surveillance of GLA and Chinese troop movements, it refused any further commitment.

Around this time the true extent of GLA power became clear. They seized several major cities in Asia, including Baghdad. Their forces also moved into the countryside and operated major terrorist cells in Chinese and American cities. The Chinese leadership's attempts to bolster public confidence were spectacularly derailed when a GLA suicide bomber detonated a low-yield nuclear device in the midst of a military parade in Beijing. This action, however, incurred the enduring wrath of the Chinese, who were now committed to the total destruction of the GLA. The Americans, meanwhile, joined the conflict to secure its own interests in the region.

The USA and China fought the GLA intensely, on battlefields as far apart as Hong Kong and Adana. All factions involved incurred significant losses; the GLA bore the brunt of the massive firepower at the disposal of US and Chinese generals while striking back as best as it could. Initially, the Chinese forces managed to - with great difficulty - drive the GLA out of China and destroy its main base in Dushanbe, Aldastan. However, the GLA struck back, dislocating Chinese forces in Kazakhstan (burning down the capital city, Astana, in the process), even destroying the Incirlik Air Force Base in Turkey. Chinese attempts to turn GLA splinter cells against each other by sending them nuclear weapons backfired spectacularly when a loyalist force intercepted the nuclear convoy near Lenger. At the end of the GLA offensive, their forces captured Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, from where they were free to launch missiles anywhere in the world.

When one of the biochemical missiles was intercepted by the American SDI system mere moments before it hit a major American city, the United States realized the GLA to be a serious threat. The American military was fully committed to the fight. A series of hard-fought battles culminated in the destruction of the GLA HQ in Akmola, Kazakhstan.

Countdown to Zero Hour


The GLA, although much weakened by the American offensive, was still in control of the Baikonur launch facility. When it looks like they were going to be quickly defeated following the destruction of their main base in Akmola, another bio rocket was prepared and launched at an American Naval Base in Europe. Their moment of glory did not last long, as the American launched a second offensive. American forces leveled Baikonur, and proceeded to wiped out what they perceived to be the GLA's leadership (notably Dr. Thrax). However, the GLA soon regrouped once again under a new leader, ('Deathstrike'), and quickly decided to strike back at the US, first by destroying their fleet in the Mediterranean, including the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, and then by infiltrating the US mainland and stealing chemical weapons. Appalled by this, United States officials pulled back much of their military presence in Europe to strengthen homeland defense. Seizing the opportunity to strike, the GLA invaded much of mainland Europe, taking the main US base in Germany while US forces were still pulling out.

The rest of the world was shocked to see the world's greatest superpower suffer such a defeat. China, its own borders secured and its confidence and vigor higher than ever, entered the picture again. The use of Chinese weaponry against the USA during the GLA campaign in Europe has harmed China's reputation and the new Chinese offensive is aimed at restoring that reputation and showing the world China is committed to keeping the global peace. With the use of nuclear weaponry, mass numbers and overwhelming firepower defeated the GLA in Europe, capturing most of the GLA leaders and reclaiming the US base. China, having replaced the humiliated United States as the world's foremost superpower, established the organization of Eurasian Unity to guard against any future GLA threat. Surviving GLA leaders were tried by the World Court.

After the War
At this stage, it seemed that despite their annihilation in Europe GLA cells continued to operate in the shadows, waiting for a moment to strike back once again...

Events
Operations :
 * Black Rain
 * Almaty Supply Raid
 * The Astana Riots
 * Down from the Skies
 * Toxin Trade
 * Splinter Cell
 * The Taking of Baikonur
 * The Great Escape (or Flight of Deathstrike)
 * Hidden Agenda
 * On the Waterfront
 * Jarmen Kell and the Forty Thieves
 * Sneak Attack

Military Doctrine


"We shall descend upon them like lightning from a cloudless sky!"

- GLA Militia

The GLA Military Doctrine involved used stealth and speed as their main tactics, as well as surprise attacks and suicide bombers. They were also known to implement biological and chemical weaponry, notably anthrax, in their fight against the United States and China.

The GLA recruited their troops mainly from the angry, desperate, disenfranchised and disillusioned people of the Third World. They can be easily indoctrinated into the GLA cause. There were no shortage of these recruits, and the GLA is able to build up their forces quickly to challenge their foes on the battlefield. The typical GLA infantry is armed with cheap weapons and often has little training, although the GLA employed overwhelming numbers and the element of surprise to challenge their foes. Some are so fanatical as to strap bombs to their own bodies and sacrifice themselves in an attack.

A visitor to a typical GLA base - if he or she managed to evade an untimely bloody death at the hands of the defenders - will find a lot of tunnels. The GLA tunnel networks are one of the wonders of modern warfare. It allows GLA units to travel quickly and in comparative safety anywhere where there is a tunnel entrance, and also served as arms depots and field hospitals. If a GLA structure is leveled, it will soon be rebuilt provided the tunnel entrance ("GLA Hole") beneath it is not destroyed. GLA military structures also required no outside power to operate - unlike many American and Chinese military structures, although, when a GLA general was able to capture an Cold Fusion Reactor or an Nuclear Reactor(or capture a Dozer and build them themselves), their build times are reduced by 50%. The GLA recruited civilians to work as workers building structures and base defences and carry supplies for their armies. They are cheap and quickly replaceable if they fell in battle.

In general, GLA units are cheap and quick to build. Their vehicles are assembled with whatever spare parts the Arms Dealer happened to have at hand. This however means GLA vehicles often lack the firepower or armour of American and Chinese counterparts. The GLA partly made up for this by scavenging parts from wrecks on the battlefield to upgrade some of their own vehicles (namely the Technical truck, Quad Cannon, Marauder Tank and the Scorpion rocket for the Scorpion Tanks). GLA commanders can also purchase extra upgrades off the Black Market. When fully upgraded, a GLA force can be quite powerful on the battlefield. Whatever weakness the GLA could not compensate by upgrades, they do so with tactics. The GLA excelled at guerrilla warfare, especially hit-and-run tactics, as its forces are highly mobile. They also employed ambushes, disguises and traps. Camouflaged rebels may attack out of nowhere, skilled vehicle hijackers may suddenly appear, a hidden roadside Demo Trap may suddenly detonate, and a friendly Crusader Tank may turn out to be a GLA Bomb Truck. GLA workers may even tunnel deep inside an enemy's base and conduct a surprise attack. If given the opportunity, GLA Generals will steal and pillage any useful hardware from their superpower rivals and use it against them. The GLA will do anything that is necessary to win.

The GLA claimed to be liberating oppressed peoples from imperialists. In reality civilians were often the victims of GLA aggression. In fact, collateral damage was of little concern to GLA commanders, as they believed in the absolute righteousness of their cause. Civilians receiving UN foreign aid were dismissed as 'sheep', to be killed if necessary. When the GLA attacked or took control of an area civilians would almost certainly be caught up in the fighting. The GLA also committed atrocities such as testing their biological weapons on civilian populations deemed sympathetic to their enemies. In short, civilian casualties are considered necessary sacrifice for the noble cause.

Traitors to the GLA weren't taken kindly either-in fact, a splinter cell that defected to the Chinese were wiped out using the very own weapons their new allies (stolen by the original GLA, of course) had provided them with. In general, the GLA will go to the extremes, perhaps even the impossible to eliminate their enemies they claim as "infidels".

Technological Level
The GLA is the technological inferior of the USA and China. For instances, unlike the superpowers, the GLA lacked any airpower beyond transport planes. However, it is known that the GLA employed ex-Soviet scientists, as well as their own scientists, who conducted (sometimes unethical) research to improve their arsenal.

Technologies known to be used by the GLA included chemical and biological weapons, missiles (the ex-Soviet SCUD is an excellent example of this) and GPS scrambler technology (allowing GLA forces to stay out of enemy sight).

Behind the Scenes
The group is a reference to the modern world's real strategic terrorist threats, as the Brotherhood of Nod probably is too, and this group is an overt allusion to the public conception of Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda and its Taliban allies. This especially likely because Generals is a post-9/11 game and many of the scenarios faced in it correspond with real threats that America has encountered in its ongoing military operation.