Nothing Permanent Except Change

Day 1,886, 11:23 • Published in USA USA • by Azazel Romanov


Looks like we're back on the topic of Circle of Trust again. As you have heard alongside many other Americans, the United States has been added as a trial member to the Circle of Trust. I have personally advocated for a closer relationship with the alliance and supported our inclusion in the alliance since Cerb's presidential term. I have heard several complaints about the alliance, some kind of absurd and others more legitimate. Others would like us to go back to supporting EDEN, which I still view as a dying regional alliance.

One key criticism I've heard is a lack of communication and engagement with the general populace over joining Circle of Trust. This honestly confuses me the most. Since Cerb's term, we have had presidents supporting a closer relationship with Circle of Trust. Cerb even wrote that he would like to see us join the alliance. Inwegen wrote and commented on wanting a closer relationship with the alliance. Fingerguns even campaigned on wanting to become closer with and join the alliance. At what point in this chain of events were you not aware of our foreign policy direction? Not to mention that the process for joining CoT was quite extensive and inclusive. I've worked in the past few administrations as the publisher-in-chief, and Congress knew about us working towards joining CoT before I did. And even without that, I have been writing articles for the past month about favoring a CoT stance, past presidents have done so, and Bradley Reala wrote about our foreign policy direction as well. Where were you? Part of engagement is actually engaging and writing and supporting policy positions, not simply waiting to respond. If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.



Another big criticism about Circle of Trust is their relationship with TWO. This I view as more legitimate concern about our engagement with CoT than the previous. However, I caution people from drawing broad generalizations about the partnership between the two factions. TWO and CoT both have opposition to EDEN, and because of this opposition it makes sense to work together against their mutual enemy. And yes, some members have ties to members of TWO, but this is not the whole alliance. Foreign policy changes month to month, and friends don't stay friends forever, and neither do enemies. Case in point: US. I don't like to think the eUS is unique in its shifts in loyalties. Brazil and Russia both used to be our biggest enemies. UK and Canada used to be our best friends. We were once in EDEN. We once supported EDEN in Terra, then Terra dissolved. Poland used to fight against Serbia, Spain used to fight against Hungary. Part of playing a game is that pieces constantly move around the board. For more opinion on this criticism and others, read former President and Secretary of State Israel Stevens' article on our joining Circle of Trust.

Our world is full of examples of these shifting allegiances. We have to remember that this is a game, and our loyalties only last as long as the creators' involvement. This does not mean we can't honor our agreements. I intend to support our pacts with Brazil, Russia, and Albania as long as they do the same. Albania has always been there for us and I do not want to abandon them, and would support any effort to ensure their safety and peace with Macedonia (or FYROM for EDENites). Brazil has stuck with us through Terra, CTRL, and by our side as our country enters CoT. But these agreements only last as long as the players who signed them fight for them (see above sentiments).

I still believe in Circle of Trust as the third way. And if I'm wrong, our trial membership expires, and thats that. I ask of you to not only be a detractor, but an optimist. Maybe even just have an open mind. But please recall that this is only a game, there is no need for intense emotions or anger over changing tides. Sorry to break character, but please remember the people you accuse of being in a shadowy cabal are actually just normal people sitting at a computer. Well, most of us are normal. I ask you to brace yourselves for an energetic month of activity. Our first joint venture with CoT is about to begin, and I am proud to return regions in South Korea and Japan to their rightful owners. And who knows, we might even get involved in something a bit bigger afterwards. I ask you to have fun, get engaged, and fight some battles. Give new partnerships a chance and keep an open mind. This game is only interesting if you make it to be.

SPQR IN OUR HEARTS
SPQR IN OUR MINDS
NOW AND FOREVER