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Welcome to the Kobble Gobble. Unfortunately I am not returning with an interview from a fellow BSP leader, but we have something that might be more exciting. An interview with our very own country president, Cthulu. He's recently made a stand defending his administration's stance on foreign affairs and I thought it'd be nice to clear some of the air around it.




Kobble:
We'll just start with a little introductionino. Most know you are cp, but who knows, maybe some don't know.



Cthulu:
Formerly Alexander_Auctoritas. I worked with Terra and Eden to help the eUS when ONE wiped us. I have been in and out of activity due to real life 'fun'. I have been active since I lost to WDIB2 a couple of years ago. I've run at least 4-5 times since then, but I have finally succeeded in getting back into the chair. We find ourselves at a critical time in the game, and I wish to do my best to help the eUSA evaluate where we are, how we got here, and where we go. My 'leaked' agenda would've been interesting, but the sum value was exactly the same as if it hadn't been leaked. My cabinet laughed at me in regards to many of the statements I made. Now, we are proceeding with a singular goal: To ensure the long-term success of the eUSA and bring as many activities into the meta-game as possible. This is the real 'feature' to erepublik. There used to be a vital economic module, but the destruction of the value of gold has made it largely about WaM and killed the actual productive value. The Military module allows 2-5 Legends to decide the outcome of a d4 battle. The eUS has strength in D1/D2/D3 and air, and we need to figure out how to flex our muscles in these divisions. And, if you follow the discussions in Congress, we are committed to figuring this out with everyone's input and perspective.





Kobble:
What's your opinion on the state of eUS foreign affairs as of right now? How we stand with other countries in the eworld, like how they see us, for example.



Cthulu:
There is a real stigma about the eUSA. We have flipped a couple of times, as it pertains to eCroatia. When we launched CTRL, our goal was neutrality with the Balkans. When we launched Pacifica, I was not as active so I suggest you talk to DMJ or WDIB2 about this period in our history. Our neutrality came into question repeatedly due to our long-standing ties to eCroatia, vis-a-vie EDEN. There are many in the eUS who still love and/or miss our ties with them. I worked with so many countries extremely closely during the time of ET to ensure that ONE payed for their transgressions against us all. However, many in the eUS felt that we needed to find a way to disentangle ourselves from the Balkans. We attempted with CTRL and Pacifica, but floundered in our foreign policy. You will no doubt fact-check all of this, so you will see how our reputation was as you say a little 'wafflely'. There were decisions made by administrations that still affect us now, and CODE made it a point to put us in our place. The whole world piled on, and we had to join CODE just to survive.





Kobble:
Do you feel this flipping has had a big impact on how foreign nations interact with us?



Cthulu:
Let me continue.

We joined CODE for survival, not because it is what we wanted to do. The eUSA wanted to be left alone. Sure, we'll launch a random AS on someone for fun, but it doesn't mean we've committed to the utter destruction of any given country. I have seen and heard numerous times that the eUS cannot be trusted, that we switch to the winning side, and we have no backbone. I've heard this from eUS citizens, people who've left because they didn't agree with our policies, and enemies alike. The eUSA wanted nothing more than to be left alone, but there are those in the eWorld that wouldn't respect this wish. Now, we are making our move for the long-term. Other countries have tried and tried again to keep us in their sphere. It feels like enough time has passed, and enough real life drama has settled so the eUS can shift it's foreign policy for good.

Now, we have to prove ourselves.

The eUS needs to steer its course clearly and unwaveringly, or the eWorld will laugh at us and say there goes the USS SHITLORD, switching sides again. No, the eUS needs to be forthright so everyone knows where we are coming from and where we are going.





Kobble:
Would you say that this will be the path forward for the foreseeable future then? That there will not be any changes again? It's unlikely, but say, for example, Asteria for some reason begins to lose a war.



Cthulu:
Yes, I would foresee the eUS sticking with Asteria through thick and thin from here on out. It's up to the people, but I refer everyone to look at this as a game, which it is. When you play a game, do you play to win, for the most fun, for the long-term goal? How do you play erepublik? Would you like to see the eUS restore its reputation? I would like for us to re-establish ourselves as having a spine, staying a course, and seeking fun. And, the eUS needs to find a way to leverage its strengths and garner a seat at the proverbial table. We have a lot of smart, energetic people that can offer a LOT to a prospective alliance in terms of critical thinking, strategy, and perspective on the game. As the active community in the game dwindles, I would like to see the eUSA find its niche. I would like to see the eUS lead the way in our future endeavors. When Asteria changes, the eUS needs to be poised to affect how it changes. Perhaps our role in the future will be to offer safe-harbor to our allies. As we host 20+ TWs, the eUS insulates itself somewhat while offering safety to our friends. That's a win-win, and can continue no matter how the alliance evolves.





Kobble:
How do you think Asteria views the eUS? Are they hjgh in favor of us joining them? Or maybe it's more divided amongst the alliance?



Cthulu:
I have absolutely no idea. They did invite me to join a joint coordination channel immediately, which was warm. Everyone I've encountered thus far has been cordial and polite. You would really need to talk to RT, Carlos, Tyler, Gnilraps, and DMJ to get perspective into how they perceive us. I have not been involved militarily until I became CP.

And, the CP of eSerbia messaged me privately to open a dialogue immediately. I've been pro-eSerbia for a long time. The point for me is that eCroatia has meddled in our domestic and foreign affairs for long enough. I'm all set, and I recommend the eUS as a country take a look at the history and where we are headed. Mikko has been friendly and talkative about erepublik and real-life. We all need to keep in mind it's a game. That doesn't mean treating others like shit without expecting repercussions. My agenda debacle made me look like a shit. But, I think it did tell the eWorld very clearly what our agenda was going to look like for the month.





Kobble:
CODE has been accused of abandoning the US. Can you explain what led to Asteria's invasion of the US? Is there a reason CODE would abandon the US, given all the gold to be farmed via training wars?



Cthulu:
As I understand it, the introduction of game tokens pissed off some CODE members and they started boycotting purchases which led to a steep decline in influence on the battlefield. I was never in CODE HQ, so you will need to verify this with Tyler, DMJ, Dinnyin, and Krapis. As for Asteria's invasion, I can only assume that we were an easy target. The eWorld loves the eUS because it's a natural playground. Reduced activity from CODE, coupled with Asteria's desire for more fun seems to have led to the eUS being used as a playground. We need to verify the decay in the relationship between the eUS and CODE, or whether there was ever any meaningful relationship in the first place. I am skeptical, but it is all only hearsay, whether we were ever considered seriously by CODE as a welcome member. My gut says, we peaced to survive, contributing to our waffle image. I recall Colin blasting us for having no spine in regards to CODE nor Asteria. Our leadership did what they thought was best for our survival, and now that things have come into focus a bit for me; we are poised to be accepted and treated as a full member in Asterias after proving our ability to stay the course. To get a better understanding of how and why CODE abandoned us is one of my personal goals in asking all eUS citizens to critically look at how we got to where we are today. I would like to make sure we all understand what happened, how we got here, and if this is the best course for us to be on. In my assessment thus far, yes, we cannot hold anything against Asteria for joining in the eUS playground fun. But we can hold CODE responsible for their actions either against the eUS or in sitting by and doing nothing to help us. Now, if we can be the playground, control the players, keep our secure regions safe; we can have a say in our own destiny. Please seek out the truth during that time period, so that all of us can be enlightened. It's incumbent on all of us to seek out truth.





Kobble:
Where do you see the future of US-CODE relations heading? What would you like them to be like?



Cthulu:
I foresee the eUS at a white peace with CODE. My cabinet made it abundantly clear that my agenda was garbage, the game really wasn't played like that right now. The fallout from the leak (which could have been avoided) has been minimal, at least on the surface. Thankfully, I've been very clear about my pro-eSerbia stance for a number of years, so from the Asteria side they knew what they were getting. And, it's the same for the CODE side; anyone that remembers Alexander_Auctoritas knows where I stand in this regard. If our foreign policy is to shift long-term, then everyone has to get used to the fact that we don't concern ourselves with what CODE does or how it conducts its affairs. We have our own affairs to attend to, TWs to conduct, resource bonuses to enjoy, and alliances to work within. The alliance structure will ensure that we know what CODE is doing, but we have a group of people we will work with for the long-term goals of everyone to be realized and achieved. If you have friends in CODE and you think we are making a mistake, I simply telling you that I think their behavior is too egregious to overlook. I will continue to encourage open discussion about how we got into a bit of a mess, and what may benefit the eUS the most in the long-term.





Kobble:
Actually, one last segment I'd like to ask about too, if you don't mind. Can I get your opinion on the current goings on with BSP and bots?




Cthulu:
Aarden messaged me in-game about this.

Here is my response:

"I would like to be blunt and honest with you because that is who I am. If the Black Sheep Party would like to be a part of the eUS Community, then I suggest weighing in on this topic. Do you wish to continue to be a part of the community? WHat is/are the party's contributions to the greater good? If I were your PP, these are the questions I would consider. For example, I posted on your party forums to ask for your endorsement for my CP run, and I did not receive a single reply. Not even a 'piss off'. It saddens me to think that an entire party has washed its hands of the meta-game. If that is what you want to do, so be it; but I seriously doubt that will work out long-term. I'm not telling you how to play the game, just giving you my honest feedback as someone who has known you for years. We have always had a cordial relationship and I would prefer to see you and the Black Sheep Party participate in the meta-game. The community is already decaying, and further decay will just lead to a bot revolution. I hope that was not too blunt, mean, or otherwise coming off as know-it-all. I have and always will be my honest self with you. Take care and stay safe during this terrible pandemic. "

I had linked the topic that DMJ opened. While the effect on the game will be nil, it would be nice to at least ask everyone to keep bots out of parties. I believe eventually there will be more than active citizens, at which point erepublik will become a bot simulation. I just hope reality never mirrors this game in this regard, it's rather chilling.





Kobble:
Oh shit. I'm working on the article and I forgot the most important part
Any memes you wanna share?



Cthulu:
lol
It's funny, I was going to ask you about it but I figured you were just using it internally. One second.

let's throw Mr Burns in there somewhere.

and good ol' Al












We've also been preparing an article from a Croatian MoFA as well so we can get the scoop from both sides. So look forward to it.

Also, the new event for the 13th anniversary of erepublik kicked off recently. Of course it's another cheap money grab by Plato. You can't even get half of the goodies without paying 9.9€! Although at least over in the sunny Azores they're giving away a nice +130 permanent energy bonus. That by itself might be worth it all. Good luck in your travels for the goodies!


Also, congressional elections are upon us soon. Keep your eyes weary, there has been some suspicious activity going on in some parties. Do your due diligence and research all the goings on before casting your ballot. It is your civic duty.

And without further ado I have provide my plug for the best party out there, the Black Sheep. If you want a nice and homely community, look no further. We support lowest taxes and anti-dictatorship (Which includes any sort of epolitical roleplayers drooling over internet circlejerks of virtual power.).


★★★★ Baaaaaa ★★★★