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Countdown to Conflict (USA side)

(Based on the 1984 made-for-TV movie "Countdown to Looking Glass")

In October 1984, a global financial crisis sends shockwaves through the Middle East. A series of South American debt defaults leads to collapsing oil markets, fueling political instability. In Oman, a Soviet-backed coup topples the government, creating a new regime aligned against Western interests. The new Omani leadership imposes a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, demanding tolls for passage and halting the vital flow of crude oil to global markets. With the region on the brink of chaos, the United States deploys Carrier Battle Group One (CVBG-1), led by the USS Nimitz (CVN-68), to restore order and maintain freedom of navigation.

The situation escalates rapidly. Neutral tankers begin to pile up outside the Strait, awaiting safe passage. Some tanker captains, desperate to fulfill contracts, declare their intention to run the blockade. Meanwhile, intelligence reports confirm the presence of Soviet submarines in the Strait, further complicating an already volatile environment. The USS Nimitz is tasked with deterring aggression, protecting neutral shipping, and ensuring the safety of the battle group—all under the scrutiny of a global audience.

CVN reporter Michael Boyle, embedded aboard the Nimitz, provides real-time coverage of the crisis. His reports capture the high stakes, the political pressure, and the personal sacrifices of the sailors and officers involved. As tensions mount, you must navigate the complexities of military strategy and geopolitics, balancing decisive action with the risk of further escalation.

Your mission: protect the USS Nimitz and its battle group, ensure the safety of neutral shipping, and eliminate any threats to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The enemy is stealthy and determined, and the fate of the global energy supply—and U.S. credibility—hangs in the balance.