The slight change in NPC moderation I have made does feel notable enough to deserve mention here. Rather than simply reacting to events like I earlier expressed with NPCs using RNG, I have instead took a considerable amount of time to ponder each NPC nation's geopolitical goals and position. I then made a numbered list for each nation and their goals, and have set about trying to achieve them for each NPC nation. To be clear, RNG NPC action is off the table except in the toughest of decisions.
Yay!!