Tensions mount leading up to International Security Summit
This week several heads of state come together to discuss the issue of mutant terrorism under the thin veneer of international safety. Especially tensions between the US and Russia are high due to disagreements on how to best tackle the issue. Russia has famously declared it's borders open for mutant refugees while the US has tried to introduced a number of potential bills aiming to restrict mutant rights in response to a series of terrorist attacks perpetrated by mutants. This comes at an unfortunate time for US President Oswald as he seeks reelection this fall and his approval numbers are at a record low in response to passing what many feel is a too forgiving Mutant Registration Act. The Republican nominee Tucket has already promised to pass what he calls a 'wall of protective legislature' to get the situation under control and 'take executive action' once elected.
Many European countries are looking to side with the US on the issue, although Chancellor Marius Hofmann and Prime-Minister Gavin Sands famously oppose the anti-mutant notion, despite mounting violence. They are expected to take a strong pro-mutant stance at the summit and met yesterday, likely to discuss strategies. Officially the meeting was due to a recent attack of Nazi troops on UK soil that Chancellor Hofmann apologized for, an attack that was averted in no small thanks to the Mutant University in Maldon, Essex. The University couldn't be reached for comment at the present time. The terrorist group HYDRA along with other Nazi remnants have long since haunted Germany's image along with other remnants, likely contributing to their open-minded stance regarding mutants.
Numerous attempts to get Russia to join a political pro-mutant alliance have been met with little success as the nation under Vladimir Putin seems determined to deal with the problem on their own. Putin will not be attending the summit personally, instead opting to send his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikodim Bogdanov. Numerous people have criticized Russia's isolationist stance, though it has found a lot of support, especially from former Soviet nations as well as the Middle-East. It's estimated that Russia has taken in hundreds of mutant refugees from Syria alone, however they continue to refuse to make their operations transparent and numerous sources claim that the refugees are not treated as well as Russia claims.
China, India and Japan are expected to attend but have historically turned a blind eye on a lot of issues in order to not upset the precarious balance in South-East Asia. The rogue nations of Madripoor and North Korea hold too much potential for conflict and many tolerate the situation in order to avoid destabilizing the region like the Middle-East has been.
The summit will take place in London due to the extremely high security concerns and the city's famously dense security camera coverage. Several Mutant Right groups have announced they will be protesting the event in response to the decision to not include noted mutant community leader Professor Charles Xavier in person. He is, however, expected to talk at the summit via video-conference.