As a strategic point on this matter -
Gatesville moved in a heap more troops a couple of weeks ago because support for L&C is dwindling, and quite rapidly.
Now, let me put on my Otto von Bismarck hat for a second and explain the practicality of this treaty.
1.) L&C will fall no matter what, it's just a matter of time.
2.) When he does, Gatesville will have egg all over its face, however,
3.) It will make a permanent enemy of Gatesville whereby we will be on constant conflict with Gatesville;
4.) At the present rate, when L&C falls he will likely be supplanted by someone who is not friendly to us, like TwoSlits or the like.
5.) By agreeing to a treaty that is tantamount to a non-aggression/non interference pact with Gatesville, we can eliminate L&C instantly (Gatesville has a second flag/group that they control that isn't labeled with big flashing neon Gatesville flags in case no one noticed) and GBM will instantly at update become the Delegate.
6.) This also means that if we get a presence/treaty with as many regions as we can, Gatesville won't give us any grief (it becomes a race to ally with as many regions as we can get to first).
7.) All Gates wants is to have a free hand at manipulating WA resolutions - let him have at it. In all practicality, WA resolutions don't mean anything to us and it's no skin off our collective arse.
In all realms in this issue, we come out on top, we gain a de facto ally, or at least a neutrality relationship with Gatesville and in the long run, Gatesville will eventually drive more nations into our sphere of influence my regional migration - if we play it right.
If we engage in a little Realpolitik ourselves we will always come out on top or with the better end of the bargain.
Under the present conditions we need to be primarily concerned with getting our region back as quickly as possible. Gates is looking for an 'honorable' way of withdrawing from the region without taking a PR hit in the process. I say let's oblige him in that goal. We can give him what he wants in that department and he can give us what we want and its no skin of anyone's arse at all.
And this is the crux of our 'mutual' objectives and goals. A prolonged conflict is neither desirable nor productive and will only lead to more conflict.
If we pass this treaty, in a couple of months time no one will care let alone remember as long as we are not the ones who abrogate the treaty. If Gatesville ever violates the treaty (which I doubt) we still have our region back anyway. If Gatesville abides by this proposed treaty, we still have our region back. It's a win-win situation.
OTOH, if pride comes before the fall, we could be stuck with L&C or worse for a very, very long time. I prefer we all be practical about this and look at the big picture in relation to immediate returns. Think about it.
And frankly, I would think that future friendly relations with Gatesville would not be all that bad of an idea. Having Gatesville on our side in the event of another rogue delegate incident would be worth its weight in gold. Remember, Gatesville is a military organization that we can learn a lot from and we aren't required to go to war for them. But the likelyhood that Gatesville would support us in the event of another rogue episode is vastly increased with such a treaty.
And this is yet another set of reasons why I support this treaty.
R
