Command & Conquer Generals: Maelstrom/Global Liberation Army

Introduction
The Global Liberation Army (جيش التحرير العالمي (Jaysh al-Tahrir al-Alami)), also known as GLA, is a violent non-state actor that is also one of the most successful terrorist factions in the world. In Maelstrom, the GLA reappeared after ten years of slumber and was responsible for the countless terrorist attacks in many countries. And by the end of the ten years war became a superpower by taking control of Africa, the middle east, Israel, Cuba, and half of south America.

Generals & Zero Hour Timeline (First War against the GLA)
Around 2013, the true extent of the GLA's 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 was spectacularly derailed when a GLA suicide bomb truck detonated a low-yield nuclear device in the midst of a military parade in Beijing. This action incurred the enduring wrath of the Chinese, who are now committed to the total destruction of the GLA. The Americans, meanwhile, joined the conflict to secure their own interests in the region around the same time.

The USA and China fought the GLA intensely, on battlefields as far apart as Hong Kong and Adana. All factions involved suffered significant losses; the GLA bore the brunt of the massive firepower at the disposal of American and Chinese generals while striking back as best it could. Initially, 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 the 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 that the GLA became 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.

The GLA, although much weakened by the American offensive, was still in control of the Baikonur launch facility. When it looked like they were going to be quickly defeated following the destruction of their main base in Akmola, another bio rocket was prepared and launched against an American Naval Base in Europe. Their moment of glory did not last long, as the Americans launched a second offensive. American forces leveled Baikonur, and proceeded to wipe out what they perceived to be the GLA's leadership (notably Dr. Thrax). However, the GLA soon regrouped once again under a new leader, Mohmar 'Deathstrike', and quickly decided to strike back at the US, first by destroying their fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, including the aircraft carrier USS Reagan, and then by infiltrating the US mainland and stealing chemical weapons. Appalled by this, United States officials pulled back their military presence in Europe to strengthen homeland defense. Seizing the opportunity to strike, the GLA invaded 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, with its own borders secured and its confidence and vigor higher than ever, intervened again. The use of Chinese weaponry against the USA during the GLA campaign in Europe harmed China's reputation and the new Chinese offensive was aimed at restoring that reputation and show the world China is committed to keeping the global peace. With the use of nuclear weaponry, mass numbers and overwhelming firepower, the GLA has finally been defeated in Europe, capturing most of the GLA leaders and reclaiming US bases in Germany. China, having replaced the humiliated United States as the world's foremost superpower, established the Eurasian Unity League to guard against any future GLA threat. Captured GLA leaders were tried by the UN's International Criminal Court and condemned to life imprisonment.

Maelstrom Timeline (Second War against the GLA)
However, as the GLA has lots of tunnel networks, it is still thriving underground. Worse, all of the most important GLA generals are actually still alive and kicking. They disguise themselves as ordinary citizens in many countries. With patience and thanks to Dr Thrax's secret fundings, the GLA resurfaced in 2023 and successfully devastated most of the world and conquered a lot of territory in the chaos, including Israel, conquered by the freshly promoted General Miriam. And had thoroughly humiliated the Chinese and Americans by surviving in the decade later and took control of Africa, the middle east, Israel, Cuba, and half of south America, not to mention the countless in hidden in other countries, to show the world that they are a force that shouldn't be taken lightly. Now, they are still fighting for their cause.

Military Doctrine and Technology
The GLA military doctrine involves the use of stealth and speed as its main war tactics, as well as surprise attacks and suicide bombers. It is also known for implementing biological and chemical weaponry, notably Anthrax, in its fight against the United States and China.

The GLA recruited its troops mainly from the angry, desperate, disenfranchised and disillusioned people of the Third World. They can be easily indoctrinated into the GLA's cause. There was no shortage of these recruits, and the GLA was able to build up its forces quickly to challenge its militarily-superior 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 and defeat its foes. Some were so fanatical to the point they strapped bombs on their own bodies and sacrificed themselves in an attack against any enemy.

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 relative safety anywhere where there is a tunnel entrance, and also serves as an arms depot and field hospital. 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 require no outside power to operate - unlike most American and Chinese military structures, meaning the only things limiting GLA bases are terrain and funds, but whenever a GLA general captures a Cold Fusion Reactor or a Nuclear Reactor (or captures a Dozer), his/her build time is reduced by 50%. The GLA "recruits" civilians to build structures and base defenses and carry supplies for its armies. They are cheap and quickly replaceable if they fall in battle.

In general, GLA units are cheap and quick to build. Their vehicles are assembled with whatever spare parts the Arms Dealer happens to have at hand. This however means GLA vehicles often lack the firepower or armor their American and Chinese counterparts possess. 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 cannot compensate by upgrades, it does so with tactics. The GLA excels at guerrilla warfare, especially hit-and-run tactics, as its forces are highly mobile. it also employs 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 dig tunnels 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 and everything that is necessary to win.

In Maelstrom 's timeline, the GLA has at least mastered basic technology in the early 21st century. The GLA now has various chemicals that can be used in any battle, stolen nuclear supplies for suicide attacks, stolen technologies and even more advanced improvisation techniques.

GLA buildings seem crude, with appearance that is similar to those houses in poor areas since they are supposed to be built quickly for rapid deployment. The structures also mainly focuses on improvisation to receive amenities, often resulting in a messy arrangements (pipes that poke out from the gates and items scattering on the grounds) and was built on only wood and bricks (even the scaffolding is just purely wooden planks and occasionally the buildings need hardened soil as a wall for underground facilities). However, the structures also has a little Arabian Culture Influences in decorations such as onion domes and Islamic geometry patterns. Some of the smaller details like "tent cloth" and protruding radars also show the civilian life in GLA territories. GLA's units are rather "dirty-looking" due to outdated equipment and aggressive improvisation techniques with a significant number of vehicles seemed to be rusting.

Notable members

 * Dr Thrax: Toxins General
 * Prince Kassad: Stealth General
 * Rodall Juhziz: Explosives (aka Demo) General
 * Mariam Antiqam: Armored Assaults (aka Assault) General
 * Mohmar "Deathstrike": Horde General
 * Jarmen Kell: GLA's main terrain agent (hero unit)
 * Kanwar Khan: Comms Officer (announcer)