ImportantNobody said
I think we should go with the Saudi Arabian empire as the man baddies for the first roleplay. France being the more powerful and leader of the World Revolutionary Powers (WRP), the main antagonists, would be better suited as the main threat later on. Perhaps Great Britain would be the main ones fighting France while the US would be more involved in the middle east. They'd probably need a powerful ally over there...India, Isreal, maybe Egypt? However, I don't see Egypt surviving long against the empire, as they Empire has spread into Africa so they must have already defeated Egypt in the process. I doubt China is on the US's side so they are out of the question. China might even be with the WRP.
How about Isreal? They're small, but they pack a punch.