This might sound strange , but I like being next to Monezuma or Alexender > that way they start a war with me first and I dont look bad to the other AI instead if I started a war.
Just let them throw those useless and stupid attacks at you , you have the defensive advantage anyway on your own soil. Then once they start running out of troops hit them hard with a counter attack. Works everytime , suddenly they're wanting peace after I've captured their most productive and close city right on my border.
I dont like AI that will never attack , because then if you start a war , you get the red minus - 'you attacked our friend' from everyone else.