International Freedom Coalition (OOC, APPS TEMP CLOSED)

[Novo Wagondia]

I'm not going to ask you not to reply, denying someone a response is very unfair.
However this has drifted off-topic, so I won't be responding if anyone replies.

I would say it is the other way around entirely.

Not only is the population of North Korea incredibly brainwashed into loving their government (they literally believe that Kim Jong Un can read their minds and will punish them if they think anything bad about him, which leads to self-censorship and ignoring of critical thoughts), their leadership is also brainwashed. Especially Kim Jong Un, he has grown up believing he is the centre of attention and the best person in the world, he would have gotten everything he wanted and no one would have disobeyed him. I wouldn't be surprised if he also believed he was a god, which could be problematic.
But what I was mainly hinting at, would be the North Korean regime's possibly willingness to launch nuclear annihilation against its neighbours if the regime fell (even from internal factors such as a coup or civil war).

Don't believe all the American propaganda you here about Iran. Their leadership is sane and not suicidal, they're interested in regional power. The rhetoric against Israel is simply rhetoric, they would never attack Israel and the only reason they might want nuclear weapons is to defend against a nuclear-armed Israel (which in turn has threatened to nuclear bomb Iran several times). Saudi Arabia would not need a nuclear deterrent against Iran (if it had nuclear weapons), the US defends the Saudi oilfields and is more than enough of a deterrent.
They even clarified recently, that when they chanted "death to America" they did not mean any ill to the American people, they only hated US imperialism and foreign policy. Yes they want more power in the region, but they are not suicidal and they can be described as rational actors.


Escalation is very likely in any such confrontation, especially if countries which can defend themselves are involved (such as the US, Russia, China). Public outrage in some countries like the US and Russia, would basically force a response - Only weak countries can be bullied as such (and only if they are not allied with countries who would defend them).

I do recall reading in a travel book that in Iran, "death to" isn't actually too strong of an expression of hate. People say "death to traffic" there. It's like saying "damn that teacher!" You don't necessarily want that teacher to rot in eternal flames.

Fascinating; always good to pick up on cultural nuances

[Libraria and Ausitoria]

Don't forget that some people may have been waiting for Aravea's question session. No doubt some people must have questions!

[The United Remnants of America]

Am I still in the IFC?

.... Wow. I think I am.

[Inyourfaceistan]

Not only is the population of North Korea incredibly brainwashed into loving their government (they literally believe that Kim Jong Un can read their minds and will punish them if they think anything bad about him, which leads to self-censorship and ignoring of critical thoughts), their leadership is also brainwashed. Especially Kim Jong Un, he has grown up believing he is the centre of attention and the best person in the world, he would have gotten everything he wanted and no one would have disobeyed him. I wouldn't be surprised if he also believed he was a god, which could be problematic.
But what I was mainly hinting at, would be the North Korean regime's possibly willingness to launch nuclear annihilation against its neighbours if the regime fell (even from internal factors such as a coup or civil war).

Kim Jong Un was educated in the West (Switzerland, I believe). The North Korean elite knows how things really are, they aren't stupid.
Their regime ultimately amounts to a few military hardliner Cold War relics and some spoiled children who want to act like playboys with a despotic twist. They wouldn't risk their lavish lifestyle, cult of personality, and everything else that comes with running a country like your own personal playground just to vaporize a few Yankees, South Koreans or Japanese.

Don't believe all the American propaganda you here about Iran.

I don't. I get most my info on Iran from a Syrian and an Israeli.

Their leadership is sane and not suicidal, they're interested in regional power. The rhetoric against Israel is simply rhetoric, they would never attack Israel and the only reason they might want nuclear weapons is to defend against a nuclear-armed Israel (which in turn has threatened to nuclear bomb Iran several times). Saudi Arabia would not need a nuclear deterrent against Iran (if it had nuclear weapons), the US defends the Saudi oilfields and is more than enough of a deterrent.

This ignores the fact Iran is a autocratic theocracy based around a horrifically modified version of Shitte Islam (as Cusc so correctly stated, Iran is basically the Shiite version of ISIS), this ignores the Sunni-Shiite divide and the deep-rooted hatred for each other, this ignores the widely propagated hatred of Israel and their advocation of its destruction and the likewise Israeli refusal to ever become victims again.

I have to go back and point out I didn't say Iran WILL start a nuclear war, I stated that they are more irrational and more likely to do so than the Kim Dynasty et al.

They even clarified recently, that when they chanted "death to America" they did not mean any ill to the American people, they only hated US imperialism and foreign policy. Yes they want more power in the region, but they are not suicidal and they can be described as rational actors.

1) I don't see how them chanting "death to America" has anything to do with this

2) They are a whole less rational than the North Koreans

3) So just because a leader says something, you believe them?

Escalation is very likely in any such confrontation, especially if countries which can defend themselves are involved (such as the US, Russia, China). Public outrage in some countries like the US and Russia, would basically force a response - Only weak countries can be bullied as such (and only if they are not allied with countries who would defend them).

It will only escalate to the point where the risk is worth the reward.
This isn't some Risk or Command&Conquer game where two nations indefinitely conduct war against each other until one is totally conquered. The Chinse would only have to escalate to the point where the U.S. either physically cannot move into the West Pacific or further action carries a risk too great for the gain, likewise the U.S. would only have to escalte to destroy the ability of the Chinse to conduct offensive naval operations or where further action carries a risk to great for the gain. They aren't just going to escalate to the point of risking their own destruction just to look tough to their own people - that's what propaganda is for.
No nation is going to risk (or knowingly) getting turned into an irradiated wasteland because of "public outrage" or trying not to look "weak".

But hey, if you think you know the intentions of Iran better than the Iranian leadership, I won't judge.

If you think you know the intentions of North Korea more than the North Korean leadership, I won't judge.

EDIT: I had to respond to this falsehood, as facts are not subjective.

Likewise.

[Aravea]

Am I still in the IFC?

.... Wow. I think I am.

Last time I checked you still were URA...

[Shazbotdom]

I will be working on it over the next couple days. Especially after my surgery.

[Aeyariss]

What do you think of Aeyariss?

What the...

[Flardania]

What do you think of Aeyariss?

What the...

[Shazbotdom]

I'm also curious, what does asking about those people have anything to do with running the alliance?

[The United Remnants of America]

I'm also curious, what does asking about those people have anything to do with running the alliance?

[New Aeyariss]

What do you think of New Aeyariss?

....

[New Aeyariss]

....

I included some of the most influential non-IFC members.

Where is Riysa? My closest comrade?

[Flardania]

Where is Riysa? My closest comrade?

.....
I forgot.

The moment you are among the oldest members in the IFC and you are excluded from the questionnaire.....

[The United Remnants of America]

Am I still in the IFC?

.... Wow. I think I am.

Last time I checked you still were URA...

*mild complaint about not being on the OP's membership listing*

Eh, it's whatever. I'm apparently the only one who's affiliated with everyone while not being on anyone's official roster.

[New Aeyariss]

@Deian: I have been reading about your nation lately, and I think I know Nihonese reaction to it: here.

(No offense intended).

[Aeyariss]

The moment you are among the oldest members in the IFC and you are excluded from the questionnaire.....

Oops!
Ah well. There's enough members that we can get general ideas.

Well I guess it shows fengs priority.

[Yohannes]

I wonder which candidate will win the election mhmm...

it's also actually pretty good to know that you've included that last group of questions @Deian, because like it or not, OOC stuff almost always intermingle with IC stuff, so yeah... pretty good indicator of both OOC and IC direction the candidate will take (in relation to their relationship with the people mentioned)

I know that some people will disagree with the way the last group of questions were presented, but I am sure that Deian didn't mean any harm. New Ayeariss said that Riysa was not included. Well, I am pretty sure that Riysa is influential, and Deian didn't intentionally exclude Riysa's name, so (I think) there should be no overthinking there

I'd say the OOC/IC relationship (yeah I've been stalking the past months as always yaya) of IFC with other likeminded alliances/organisations have improved quite a lot in comparison to how it was initially

Also lol at the relationship analysis (what is this, race relations? lol)

[Yohannes]

I also have a random question, do people here use IIWiki a lot?

and also, do you guys personally think that quite a lot of NationStates storytellers/writers who frequent the NationStates and International Incidents even know about IIWiki's existence? I am saying this because I want to update my factbook, and am wondering where I should do it (in-game factbook or IIWiki factbook?)

[The United Remnants of America]

I also have a random question, do people here use IIWiki a lot?

and also, do you guys personally think that quite a lot of NationStates storytellers/writers who frequent the NationStates and International Incidents even know about IIWiki's existence? I am saying this because I want to update my factbook, and am wondering where I should do it (in-game factbook or IIWiki factbook?)

I use it somewhat, when I feel the urge to slam something on there.

No. Not in the slightest. They'd only know about it if you linked it for your products.

[Yohannes]

I use it somewhat, when I feel the urge to slam something on there.

No. Not in the slightest. They'd only know about it if you linked it for your products.

Theoretically, let's say you don't have a lot of time for NationStates (or you have to almost always semi afk/away from keyboard), which one would you pick to waste your time with? Would you rather update your factbook via your in-game dispatch, or IIWiki? (I am talking about which one would give you greater exposure)

[The United Remnants of America]

I use it somewhat, when I feel the urge to slam something on there.

No. Not in the slightest. They'd only know about it if you linked it for your products.

Theoretically, let's say you don't have a lot of time for NationStates (or you have to almost always semi afk/away from keyboard), which one would you pick to waste your time with? Would you rather update your factbook via your in-game dispatch, or IIWiki? (I am talking about which one would give you greater exposure)

*blows out air*

Whew. Hard choice. Depends on what my purpose is.

I use my IIWiki to make stat boards for my nation's weapons systems as well as a little storybuilding and background for my nation. I write that stuff for other people.

My on-site Factbooks are more database lists and reference lists I use for personal use for when I'm RP'ing or writing. I write this stuff for myself.

[Aeyariss]

You gonna join?

Forgotten about it, sorry; been a mess this past few weeks. Where's the link again?

[Asigna]

I wonder which candidate will win the election mhmm...

it's also actually pretty good to know that you've included that last group of questions @Deian, because like it or not, OOC stuff almost always intermingle with IC stuff, so yeah... pretty good indicator of both OOC and IC direction the candidate will take (in relation to their relationship with the people mentioned)

I know that some people will disagree with the way the last group of questions were presented, but I am sure that Deian didn't mean any harm. New Ayeariss said that Riysa was not included. Well, I am pretty sure that Riysa is influential, and Deian didn't intentionally exclude Riysa's name, so (I think) there should be no overthinking there

I'd say the OOC/IC relationship (yeah I've been stalking the past months as always yaya) of IFC with other likeminded alliances/organisations have improved quite a lot in comparison to how it was initially

Also lol at the relationship analysis (what is this, race relations? lol)

The instigator of the OOC hate is gone anyway which is one of the main contributing factors.

[New Aeyariss]

I wonder which candidate will win the election mhmm...

it's also actually pretty good to know that you've included that last group of questions @Deian, because like it or not, OOC stuff almost always intermingle with IC stuff, so yeah... pretty good indicator of both OOC and IC direction the candidate will take (in relation to their relationship with the people mentioned)

I know that some people will disagree with the way the last group of questions were presented, but I am sure that Deian didn't mean any harm. New Ayeariss said that Riysa was not included. Well, I am pretty sure that Riysa is influential, and Deian didn't intentionally exclude Riysa's name, so (I think) there should be no overthinking there

I'd say the OOC/IC relationship (yeah I've been stalking the past months as always yaya) of IFC with other likeminded alliances/organisations have improved quite a lot in comparison to how it was initially

Also lol at the relationship analysis (what is this, race relations? lol)

The instigator of the OOC hate is gone anyway which is one of the main contributing factors.

I was actually joking at Deian.


And frankly there aren't many OOC storms this days, yeah.

[Inyourfaceistan]

I also have a random question, do people here use IIWiki a lot?

and also, do you guys personally think that quite a lot of NationStates storytellers/writers who frequent the NationStates and International Incidents even know about IIWiki's existence? I am saying this because I want to update my factbook, and am wondering where I should do it (in-game factbook or IIWiki factbook?)

In-game factbooks.
I hardly ever touch IIWiki unless some explicitly links something for me to read.