SoS: Updating our foreign relations goals

[DaveShack]

In a previous term, we classified the other nations by our preferred relationship with them. A lot of time has passed, and I think it's time to discuss whether we want to make any updates to this policy.

Russia was classified as most favored nation.
Germany was classified as common neighbor.
Mongolia was classified as a suspect nation.

Do we want these ratings to continue, or make changes? How do we want these ratings to affect our actual relationships? Do we want to strengthen Russia by giving them favorable trades? Do we want to weaken Mongolia by not trading with them at all?

Do we want to dominate the region, or just be first among relative equals? If we do want to dominate, do we choose who to "liberate" based on the relationship classifications above, or on the resources, geography, or relative power?

 

[Oldbus]

When these were posted last time I was worried that by voting we restricted ourselves too much in diplomatic relations. However, they do have the benfit of keeping everyone informed how relations are proceeding with other nations and there is a lot to be said for that. Providing we keep it up-to-date of course.

I think we should relax our status with Mongolia a bit. I would agree that Genghis is likely to become a problem in future, but at the moment he has some techs to offer us and our relations seem to have been quite good. Obviously the -2 close borders modifier may develop into something more serious, but I think there are benfits to good relations at the moment (not least because we are weaker).

Genghis may stab us in the back, or we may choose to stab him in the back. Either way I think we ought to try and make the most of relatively cordial relations between us and get everything we can.