10000 Islands Embassy

[Sandaoguo]

"How dare our sworn enemies, who we seek to destroy, spy on us!"

That's how XKI sounds right now.

Why even play this game if you're such a nihilist? Obviously XKI is going to put out statements when their enemies attack them. That's kind of the whole point of playing a game about politics and diplomacy.

[Terra Inferiori Reliquere]

My, My... Invading a region utilizing espionage? How dare they !

[The Python]

My, My... Invading a region utilizing espionage? How dare they :o !

-snip-

The. Problem. Was. That. TBH. Tricked. TEP. Into. Breaking. A. Treaty. Not the spying per se.

[Terra Inferiori Reliquere]

My, My... Invading a region utilizing espionage? How dare they !

The. Problem. Was. That. TBH. Tricked. TEP. Into. Breaking. A. Treaty. Not the spying per se.

Hey, I already read that. But thank you for upping the post count, Python . They're sworn enemies... what do you expect them to do? Hold hands? Is that written in the treaty?

[Frattastan IV]

"How dare our sworn enemies, who we seek to destroy, spy on us!"

That's how XKI sounds right now.

Why even play this game if you're such a nihilist? Obviously XKI is going to put out statements when their enemies attack them. That's kind of the whole point of playing a game about politics and diplomacy.

I don't think it's necessarily a matter of nihilism. The way I see it, statements and other diplomatic tools imply at least a minimum of recognition that you are members of an international society. However, there is no indication that defenders and raiders (especially when we're talking about a region that exists solely for the purpose of raiding) see each other as such. In practice, they treat each other as rogue actors and expect the worst from the other. No one will try to call raiders to order with a diplomatic statement for their acts of aggression, even if they happen all the time and go against the fundamental beliefs of defenders, in the same way as no TBH officer will waste time trying to call out defenders for interference in their 'sovereign activities'. Defender and raider armies are fully mobilised against each other in terms of strategic planning and willingness to act yet even this isn't treated as 'war', because even war implies a modicum of recognition (or the idea that it's a temporary state of affairs, a way to settle disputes, etc.).

This doesn't mean that their espionage or invasions aren't wrong but, coming from a group that's predicated on unprovoked aggression the bar for 'did something noticeably underhanded' is pretty high.

Of course, you could argue that the statement isn't really directed at TBH, but at regions (legitimate regions that we treat as equal subjects) that associate with them, in which case, fair enough.

It doesn't take much thought that, if TBH is willing to go to such lengths with us, they would be willing to do the same with other regions.

ah yes because if we do something against the people who actively oppose us clearly it also makes sense for us to do something against the people we are allies with. cause that's how logic works, if you punch your enemy you must also punch your ally.

You may not punch allies, but you do something against random regions all the time and with no logic. Don't try to sound like Independents now.

[Wascoitan]

ah yes because if we do something against the people who actively oppose us clearly it also makes sense for us to do something against the people we are allies with. cause that's how logic works, if you punch your enemy you must also punch your ally.

You may not punch allies, but you do something against random regions all the time and with no logic. Don't try to sound like Independents now.

Wasn't trying to sound like an indie lol, my point was that just because we do something against one region doesn't necessarily mean it makes sense for us to do that same thing against another region (a point that you seem to have conceded to me by saying "you may not punch allies" so not quite sure why you bothered replying to this of all comments in this thread). again, can't speak for every raider but personally I raid those random regions for fun (course from my experience in NSGP's discord defenders seem to not believe that exists so maybe I'm just talking to a brick wall here) TEP raids with us and as such partakes in that fun, so I see no reason why we would even bother trying to do something against TEP that we would do against TSP.

[HumanSanity]

Hey, I already read that. But thank you for upping the post count, Python . They're sworn enemies... what do you expect them to do? Hold hands? Is that written in the treaty?

The East Pacific and 10000 Islands are allies by treaty and certainly not enemies and, in the above statement and as a long-time basis of their relationship, 10000 Islands acknowledges the right of The East Pacific to engage in military action with the partners of its choosing and according to its interests.

The Black Hawks and 10000 Islands are certainly not allies. The issue is TBH's effort (be it a mistake or deliberate) to force TEP to violate its commitments to XKI.

The way I see it, statements and other diplomatic tools imply at least a minimum of recognition that you are members of an international society. However, there is no indication that defenders and raiders (especially when we're talking about a region that exists solely for the purpose of raiding) see each other as such. In practice, they treat each other as rogue actors and expect the worst from the other. No one will try to call raiders to order with a diplomatic statement for their acts of aggression, even if they happen all the time and go against the fundamental beliefs of defenders, in the same way as no TBH officer will waste time trying to call out defenders for interference in their 'sovereign activities'. Defender and raider armies are fully mobilised against each other in terms of strategic planning and willingness to act yet even this isn't treated as 'war', because even war implies a modicum of recognition (or the idea that it's a temporary state of affairs, a way to settle disputes, etc.).

If raiders are to be understood as rogue actors by defenders, and if such an understanding is supported by the regular patterns of behavior by both defending and raiding regions and a plethora of specific examples, then one wonders why there would be any objection to defenders treating raiders as rogue and enemy actors in broader contexts. In the past, some have criticized the extent to which defenders protect their political systems from electoral infiltration and sanction those who they are in a default state of perpetual conflict with. In order to consider statements unnecessary because raiders do not exist within the same international system as defenders, the political and security actions of defenders must reflect that.

This doesn't mean that their espionage or invasions aren't wrong but, coming from a group that's predicated on unprovoked aggression the bar for 'did something noticeably underhanded' is pretty high.

It is well understood that a region will respond more harshly, whether by military or diplomatic means, to a violation of its own sovereignty than it will respond to unprovoked aggression against any other region (even if one is a defender who believes in a more universalized principle of sovereignty). It is also well understood that a defender region will respond more harshly to to a violation of an ally's sovereignty than it will respond to unprovoked aggression against any other region.

[Evil Wolf]

In the past, some have criticized the extent to which defenders protect their political systems from electoral infiltration and sanction those who they are in a default state of perpetual conflict with.

You mean tyranny.

Some people have criticized the extend of tyranny which defenders use to protect their political systems. Often by inventing made up threats or overhyping raider activities and using them as an excuse to implement harsh, disproportionate actions. So, tyranny.

[The Python]

In the past, some have criticized the extent to which defenders protect their political systems from electoral infiltration and sanction those who they are in a default state of perpetual conflict with.

You mean tyranny.

Some people have criticized the extend of tyranny which defenders use to protect their political systems. Often by inventing made up threats or overhyping raider activities and using them as an excuse to implement harsh, disproportionate actions. So, tyranny.

Imagine calling some of the most democratic defender regions like TSP a "tyranny".

[Evil Wolf]

Imagine calling some of the most democratic defender regions like TSP a "tyranny".

Imagine calling a region like TSP "democratic"

[The Python]

Imagine calling some of the most democratic defender regions like TSP a "tyranny".

Imagine calling a region like TSP "democratic" :P

Except it is democratic :P

[A Bloodred Moon]

XKI had approached TEP directly and privately, discussed our concerns with them, come to a mutually agreed-upon conclusion, and made them aware that we intended to release a joint statement with TSP, thank you very much.

Since I have my doubts I'll get an answer from TSP (they have a long tradition of running away as soon as someone questions their propaganda), so why did XKI ask TSP for a joint statement? One with TEP would have made sense, yes, but TSP? Not so much.

In fact, that's the reason this statement wasn't published until several days after the events it concerns, because we wanted to work out things with TEP first.

How did it take you several days to establish TEP's innocence here? Unless you are severely distrusting of your ally, it makes little sense to delay your statement "by several days" if the matter is a two-minute window where they might have violated the technical language of the treaty through no fault of their own. So what took several days?

Don't make assumptions about XKI's opinions on and relations with our friends and allies; it only makes it abundantly clear that you have no idea what a strong, mutually constructive relationship looks like.

Considering the treaty favours XKI, I have trouble imagining you know what a mutually beneficial relationship means either.

Imagine calling some of the most democratic defender regions like TSP a "tyranny".

They have a long history of banning their political enemies, so I have little trouble calling it that.

The way I see it, statements and other diplomatic tools imply at least a minimum of recognition that you are members of an international society. However, there is no indication that defenders and raiders (especially when we're talking about a region that exists solely for the purpose of raiding) see each other as such.

Defenders keep releasing statements about TBH, so I can only imagine they recognise raiders on a diplomatic level.

Of course, you could argue that the statement isn't really directed at TBH, but at regions (legitimate regions that we treat as equal subjects) that associate with them, in which case, fair enough.

It is aimed at TEP, but as a note the language officially condemns TBH, so I'd say it is officially aimed at TBH.

You may not punch allies, but you do something against random regions all the time and with no logic. Don't try to sound like Independents now.

Since no one on the raider side claimed that "not punching allies" was an Independent-only trait, I can only assume defenders think it is and therefore do not believe in it.

It is well understood that a region will respond more harshly, whether by military or diplomatic means, to a violation of its own sovereignty than it will respond to unprovoked aggression against any other region (even if one is a defender who believes in a more universalized principle of sovereignty). It is also well understood that a defender region will respond more harshly to to a violation of an ally's sovereignty than it will respond to unprovoked aggression against any other region.

So again, a TSPer tells TEP without much subtlety to respond harshly. One cannot help but start to think XKI and TSP made a joint statement to put pressure on TEP.

[HumanSanity]

Some people have criticized the extend of tyranny which defenders use to protect their political systems. Often by inventing made up threats or overhyping raider activities and using them as an excuse to implement harsh, disproportionate actions. So, tyranny.

My post was in the context of Fratt's suggested framework where defenders and raiders are to be understood as in a perpetual state of undeclared war, with full military, politico-diplomatic, and cultural rivalry is an assumed default and where putting out statements to criticize the other party is unnecessary because this state of conflict is assumed. Your post attempts to rip it out of the context of the discussion, which makes for strongly worded propaganda (albeit transparently unsbustantiated propaganda) but not a better argument.

Your quips that TSP is "not democratic" are both hypocritical coming from the Founder of a region with zero democratic elements and run against the daily practice of the region. TSP recently concluded a Delegate election where over 130 votes were cast--one wonders where the evidence is of the unhealthiness of its democracy? You allude to TSP's proscriptions of those who have attempted to infiltrate the Coalition or its allies, in which case I wonder why TSP is to blame for totalitarian behavior instead of those who have engaged in totalitarian coups of our allies or who have repeatedly framed themselves as enemies of the Coalition and materially attempted to undermine the well-being of TSP.

Don't make assumptions about XKI's opinions on and relations with our friends and allies; it only makes it abundantly clear that you have no idea what a strong, mutually constructive relationship looks like.

Considering the treaty favours XKI, I have trouble imagining you know what a mutually beneficial relationship means either.

Given your characterization of unaligned regions as "glorious mercenaries" at various points in the NSGP Discord server, I am unsure what basis you have to instruct XKI or TSP on how a mutually constructive and respectful relationship with a partner might work.

Your lens for the interests of regions being exclusively located in their capabilities in military gameplay leaves you woefully ignorant of the politico-diplomatic and cultural bases of such alliances. TEP and TSP have a strong alliance in part due to their inherent shared interests as GCR democracies with structurally similar security risks and ebb/flow to their political decision-making. TEP and XKI have a strong alliance in part due to the plethora of cultural overlap between the two.

Your belief that all these regions care about with regards to one another is updaters and pilers perhaps demonstrates the kind of thinking that has led to a pattern of disrespectful behavior from TBH towards its partners' needs and commitments, a kind of thinking and pattern of behavior rarely (if ever) demonstrated by defender regions in recent times.

It is well understood that a region will respond more harshly, whether by military or diplomatic means, to a violation of its own sovereignty than it will respond to unprovoked aggression against any other region (even if one is a defender who believes in a more universalized principle of sovereignty). It is also well understood that a defender region will respond more harshly to to a violation of an ally's sovereignty than it will respond to unprovoked aggression against any other region.

So again, a TSPer tells TEP without much subtlety to respond harshly. One cannot help but start to think XKI and TSP made a joint statement to put pressure on TEP.

LWU's desperation to create this non-existent "TSP/XKI tell TEP what to do" narrative is on display here. Self-evidently my original post you reference is quoting Frattastan, a defender, right before the quote bloc you pulled (which strategically removed the content of Fratt's post). Further, the quote you pull is literally in reference to how defenders, who have a universalized concept of regional sovereignty they strive to protect, often choose to handle their alliance commitments, not unaligned regions such as TEP which do not share a defender's concept of universalized sovereignty. Lastly, the post you quote is not proscriptive (e.g. "You should do X") but rather descriptive of how these actions often occur (i.e. that TSP is comparatively more concerned about an act of aggression against its ally XKI than one against any non-ally, even if we oppose both, and that such acts will be met with differential diplomatic responses, including statements as deemed appropriate by the relevant parties).

Between this and EW's efforts in the other thread to misinterpret a recent EPNS release (which demonstrates a blatant unawareness of the publishing customs of the EPNS and the level of forethought and advance work that goes into writing each issue, a set of customs and patterns that would be self-evident to anyone who even lightly peruses EPNS in its monthly release), the lengths LWU will go to to spin their narrative of "TSP/XKI bully TEP" are self-evident, especially when the joint statement explicitly clarifies both TEP's sovereignty over offensive actions and selection of its military partners, and was released after private communications.

Ultimately, all such extreme reaches of rhetoric by LWU (and seemingly not TBH, who are nowhere to be found) are clear distractions from the violation of XKI's sovereignty by The Black Hawks and their effort (either by result of an extreme mishap or deliberate disrespect) to make TEP complicit in such a violation.

[A Bloodred Moon]

Your quips that TSP is "not democratic" are both hypocritical coming from the Founder of a region with zero democratic elements

We don't claim otherwise, so this is irrelevant.

and run against the daily practice of the region.

It's not really hard to keep in power if you proscribe entire regions under thin excuses and ignore votes that don't go your way.

TSP recently concluded a Delegate election where over 130 votes were cast--one wonders where the evidence is of the unhealthiness of its democracy?

Dishonest filler that TSPers bring up every single time as soon as someone questions why they keep banning entire organisations over bullshit and discount legal votes because they voted the wrong way.

You allude to TSP's proscriptions of those who have attempted to infiltrate the Coalition or its allies, in which case I wonder why TSP is to blame for totalitarian behavior instead of those who have engaged in totalitarian coups of our allies or who have repeatedly framed themselves as enemies of the Coalition and materially attempted to undermine the well-being of TSP.

What a weird focus on "totalitarian", and used incorrectly too. What "totalitarian" coups do you even refer to? Other than that weird attempt at propagandising, this is still irrelevant filler because TSP never actually explains how two puppets voting legally on an RMB when their votes can be discounted at a whim justifies banning entire organisations.

Your belief that all these regions care about with regards to one another is updaters and pilers perhaps demonstrates the kind of thinking that has led to a pattern of disrespectful behavior from TBH towards its partners' needs and commitments, a kind of thinking and pattern of behavior rarely (if ever) demonstrated by defender regions in recent times.

So many terrible assumptions you made here, seemingly out of the blue. I am not at all associated with TBH, but it's unsurprising you attempt to circle back to that.

LWU's desperation to create this non-existent "TSP/XKI tell TEP what to do" narrative is on display here.

LWU isn't saying much of anything, I as an individual am pointing out the obvious.

Further, the quote you pull is literally in reference to how defenders, who have a universalized concept of regional sovereignty they strive to protect, often choose to handle their alliance commitments, not unaligned regions such as TEP which do not share a defender's concept of universalized sovereignty.

The implication is pretty obvious.

Between this and EW's efforts in the other thread to misinterpret a recent EPNS release, the lengths LWU

Again, a weird assumption LWU as a region is doing anything. I know TSP has a tendency to misinterpret two people as an entire legion, but still. By contrast, TSPers and XKI are spread out across several threads arguing some weird, paranoid narrative regarding TBH, including in official statements.

the joint statement explicitly clarifies both TEP's sovereignty over offensive actions and selection of its military partners, and was released after private communications.

The statement says nothing about the selection of its military partners aside from heavily implying they chose the wrong ones.

Ultimately, all such extreme reaches of rhetoric by LWU (and seemingly not TBH, who are nowhere to be found) are clear distractions from the violation of XKI's sovereignty by The Black Hawks

I applaud Mira for infiltrating XKI in the way he did and the clever use of tactics TBH displayed on the raid itself. I have no interest whatsoever in distracting from a fine success like that. Nor am I entirely sure how I am distracting from anything that TSP and XKI rant on about, because there was no condemnation of the infiltration to be found anywhere in the statement.

[Roavin]

Since I have my doubts I'll get an answer from TSP (they have a long tradition of running away as soon as someone questions their propaganda)

... he says, while debating with a sitting Cabinet Minister of the South Pacific.

Your nation is in the bottom 6% in the world for Book Publishing and Human Development, and bottom 11% for public education. I suggest that your government invests in optometry courses for your nation's universities as well as bolsters its reading comprehension curriculum for its public schools.

[WayNeacTia]

Since I have my doubts I'll get an answer from TSP (they have a long tradition of running away as soon as someone questions their propaganda)

... he says, while debating with a sitting Cabinet Minister of the South Pacific.

Your nation is in the bottom 6% in the world for Book Publishing and Human Development, and bottom 11% for public education. I suggest that your government invests in optometry courses for your nation's universities as well as bolsters its reading comprehension curriculum for its public schools.

Stat shaming someone for an OOC comment? That is the best you can possibly do?

[10000 Islands Foreign Affairs]

TITO Update – July 2021

TITO Command

Has your region been invaded, or do you want to get in touch with TITO? If so, contact one of the following nations:
~Commander-in-Chief: Hakketomat
~Field Commander: Kanta Hame
~Tactical Officers: Shy Guyia, Smugglers and Mercs (TITO EF), Controlitia, Wischland, Sulenia, Flying Eagles
~Executive Officers: HN67, Eastern New England

The Update Update

TITO kept busy throughout the month of July, with a total of 13 defenses, 1 liberation, 9 detags, and 12 chase runs. Troops also lent piler support for TSP and TEP Delegate transitions. During quiet updates, TITO members enjoyed wargames and chasing practice with SPSF, TL, and other defender militaries. With plenty to do, even if it was just chasing allied military for fun, troops kept moral high and defending skills sharp!

Monthly Memes

In typical fashion, this month saw Field Commander Kanta Hame terrorizing amusing the rest of update chat!

Question of the Month

With many long hours spent chasing raiders, TITO members spend a great deal of time staring at their screens while constantly refreshing the page. To help pass the time, members like to listen to music. But what genre of music do TITO members prefer? As it turns out, TITO’s tastes are all across the board, with the most popular genres being Electronic, Metal, Classical, and Rock!

~ Controlitia enjoys listening to Metal music, reasoning that “it digs into fundamental emotions and fills you with sound, it's cathartic and exciting and calming all at once”. How intense! His recommendation is the album Domedon Doxomedon by Necros Christos.
~HN67 frequently listens to rock music, noting that he “usually likes songs that are energetic and vibrant, and rock often fits with that.”. HN recommends the artists The Score and Neovaii.
~Tsuki No Hana spends his time listening to instrumental and classical pieces, with a particular favorite being “an orchestral version of Hopes and Dreams from Undertale.”
~Flying Eagles was the sole TITO member who listens to Pop music, saying “I guess I just like catchy rhythms and think they’re fun to move to”. And isn’t that really the most important part of music?
~Evil Dictators Happyland says she enjoys Electronic music, simply reporting “i dunno exactly why i like it honestly, it just sorta sounds good to me”. She also recommends anyone looking to get into Electronic music give Daft Punk and Astrophysics a try.

Until next month, this is your TITO Update Staff signing off - Wischland

[Quebecshire]

During quiet updates, TITO members enjoyed wargames and chasing practice with SPSF, TL, and other defender militaries.

<3

Gotta have something to do

[Mingulay Isle]

Question of the Month

With many long hours spent chasing raiders, TITO members spend a great deal of time staring at their screens while constantly refreshing the page. To help pass the time, members like to listen to music. But what genre of music do TITO members prefer? As it turns out, TITO’s tastes are all across the board, with the most popular genres being Electronic, Metal, Classical, and Rock!

Aw, no sea shanties? SMH

[10000 Islands Foreign Affairs]

10000 Islands Emissary Report

Date: July, 2021
Population: 991 nations
Delegate Endorsement: 330 endorsements

More XKI!

Forum: 10000islands.proboards.com
Discord: discord.gg/4uWZbNS
Joint Dispatch on The Black Hawks Espionage
July TITO Update
July TIBOE Report
July Council Report (Requires a XKI Forum Account)
Interested in XKI? All of our Foreign Affairs dispatches will be published by 10000 Islands Foreign Affairs, and posted in our embassy thread!

TITO Command

Has your region been invaded, or do you want to get in touch with TITO? If so, contact one of the following nations:
~Chief Executive: Hakketomat
~Field Commander: Kanta Hame
~Tactical Officers: Shy Guyia, Smugglers and Mercs (TITO EF), Controlitia, Wischland, Sulenia, Flying Eagles
~Executive Officers: HN67, Eastern New England

Government

As of this report's publication, the Government of 10000 Islands consists of:
~Chief Executive: Hakketomat
~WA Delegate: Wischland
~Senior Senator for Himes West (Role Play): Zaberaz Hapang
~Senator for New Republica South (Debates and Discussions): Valentian Elysium
~Senator for Lyonnesse East (Houses): Flying Eagles
~Senator for Blue Canaria North (Emissary Report): Porflox
~Minister of Education: Free Las Pinas
~Minister of Labor: Wille-Harlia
~Minister of Immigration: Sulenia


Information about other government officials of 10000 Islands can be found here.

May Senatorial Elections

This month saw the senatorial seats for Himes West (Regional Role Play) and Lyonesse East (Houses) go up for grabs. Incumbent Himes West Senator Zaberaz Hapang ran with plans to overhaul the forum roleplay experience, as well as organize more interregional roleplays (read about it here). Flying Eagles ran for Lyonesse East with more modest but no less important goals, including more Discord advertising and adding more house awards (you can read their campaign here). You can also read both candidates' answers to debate questions here. Both Zaberaz Hapang and Flying Eagles won in uncontested landslide victories. Margaux has also decided to step down as Minister of Immigration this month, with Sulenia being appointed to lead the department of immigration. We wish you all a successful term!

Around the Islands

~ Xeroa was named featured nation of July for their contributions to TITO and activity in XKI roleplay over at A Taco Archipelago and our discord, all in under two months since their arrival in June. You can more about it here.
~ TITO Command and the Council of 9 held Q&A office hours on the RMB to discuss what they're doing and their plans for future developement. Look out for the next Q&A coming soon, or better yet, telegram them directly about your questions/suggestions!
~ XKI organized the Summer Beach Bash festival with our friends over in the Rejected Realms, The East Pacific, and the South Pacific! We had a lot of fun hanging out, and competed to win the Summer Beach Bash trophy!
~ The Cultural Office ran a XKI jeopardy quiz on Discord this month, with Valentian Elysium taking first place, Flying Eagles in second, and Kanta Hame in third. Congrats on the victory (and the tacos) Val!

Islander Achievements

~ Paffnia's submission to the Sixth Issues Contest was chosen by the issues editors of NationStates. Congratulations on the well written Fares Fair? and we look forward to answering it soon!
~ Islanders from across XKI have started spicing up our new art channel on the discord with their artwork, some of the most active being Porymonia, SaneSauceLand, and Coldian. Come join us on [url=discord.gg/4uWZbNS]the Discord[/url]!
~ Free Las Pinas has been chosen as Account of the Quarter by the regional reserve, highlighting their activity in our forum economy (you can read the full announcement here) Congrats FLP!

XKI Game-Side

This month, regional pollster Jabberwocky polled regarding the crucial global vaccination effort, "Have you received your COVID vaccine? If not, do you intend to get it?' This poll clearly generated interest with a total of 117 responses. 62 votes (52.99%) came from fully vaccinated people, and 38 votes (32.48%) came from those intending to get vaccinated. There were 17 votes that were either from those not getting vaccinated, either because they think COVID is hoax, religious/ethical reasons, or paranoia about chip inplantation. Fortunately, the total number of sane voters (vaccinated or intending to get vaccinated) was 85.47%, which is above the 70% needed to achieve herd immunity. You can look at all the numbers here at the polls page.

Islanders have been scurrying the past month to find the meaning to life, the universe, and everything (alongside some other important questions).
~ Who are these mysterious recruiter recruiting recruiters?
~ Nationstates issues do be like that sometimes
~ Nationstates cards also do be like that sometimes
~ Is Hakke an ostrich ghoul? Probably.
~ Retro gaming with Val!

Meet The Nation

This month, Deputy Senator for Blue Canaria North AxeCapital interviewed the biggest name in XKI sports roleplay over at A Taco Archipelago. Venmere has organized a number of tournaments under the Peregrine Cup name, and is now working with Haivon, Zaberaz Hapang, Krystalveil, and The Republic of Osea to organize the first ever ATA Olympics.

AxeCapital: Why did you decide to make XKI your home in NS?

Venmere:When I first founded my nation, I was looking around for a region to join. I saw something about tacos in the fact page for XKI, and I joined instantly! I've been here ever since then.

AxeCapital: What is the thing you enjoy the most about XKI?

Venmere: I love how everyone here is so supportive. I never would have gotten off the ground and into the big nation I am today if it weren't for everyone else here.

AxeCapital: When did you organize your first sports tournament, and what made you decide to first organize one?

Venmere: The first Peregrine Cup was held in December of 2020. I've always been a bit of a sports nerd, and I love stats and such. It was natural for me to want to host one here after I saw that other nations had done the same. Organizing that first tournament is what launched me into RP and into ATA, and it's something I'm incredibly grateful for.

AxeCapital: What are some of your most memorable moment/moments that any of these tournaments?

Venmere: Probably my favorite moment was the semifinal of the Peregrine Cup III, in which Haivon defeated Zaberaz Hapang. It was 5-5 at the end of regulation, and Haivon beat ZH in penalty kicks. You can see the full commentary from that game here.
That game was a nail-biter and very tension-filled. I was pumped with adrenaline afterwards and I had to go lie down.

AxeCapital: You recently decided the consolidate all sport tournaments into the ATA Summer & Winter Olympics. What do you think will be the impact of this (Higher participation, more event types)?

Venmere: Since there are more events, I hope more people will want to join. Additionally, the Olympics gives it a feel different than what the Peregrine Cup had been before, e.g. it's no longer "Venmere's Tournament" but "ATA"s Tournament." I want as many nations as possible to join, and if you're reading this and haven't been in RP yet, come on over to ATA and give it a try! The first Summer Olympics will take place in September of this year.

Until next month, your XKI Update Staff is signing off!
– Porflox and AxeCapital

[Lumio Magika]

(Image)

TITO Update – July 2021

TITO Command

Has your region been invaded, or do you want to get in touch with TITO? If so, contact one of the following nations:
~Commander-in-Chief: Hakketomat
~Field Commander: Kanta Hame
~Tactical Officers: Shy Guyia, Smugglers and Mercs (TITO EF), Controlitia, Wischland, Sulenia, Flying Eagles
~Executive Officers: HN67, Eastern New England

The Update Update

TITO kept busy throughout the month of July, with a total of 13 defenses, 1 liberation, 9 detags, and 12 chase runs. Troops also lent piler support for TSP and TEP Delegate transitions. During quiet updates, TITO members enjoyed wargames and chasing practice with SPSF, TL, and other defender militaries. With plenty to do, even if it was just chasing allied military for fun, troops kept moral high and defending skills sharp!

Monthly Memes

In typical fashion, this month saw Field Commander Kanta Hame terrorizing amusing the rest of update chat!

(Image)

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Question of the Month

With many long hours spent chasing raiders, TITO members spend a great deal of time staring at their screens while constantly refreshing the page. To help pass the time, members like to listen to music. But what genre of music do TITO members prefer? As it turns out, TITO’s tastes are all across the board, with the most popular genres being Electronic, Metal, Classical, and Rock!

~ Controlitia enjoys listening to Metal music, reasoning that “it digs into fundamental emotions and fills you with sound, it's cathartic and exciting and calming all at once”. How intense! His recommendation is the album Domedon Doxomedon by Necros Christos.
~HN67 frequently listens to rock music, noting that he “usually likes songs that are energetic and vibrant, and rock often fits with that.”. HN recommends the artists The Score and Neovaii.
~Tsuki No Hana spends his time listening to instrumental and classical pieces, with a particular favorite being “an orchestral version of Hopes and Dreams from Undertale.”
~Flying Eagles was the sole TITO member who listens to Pop music, saying “I guess I just like catchy rhythms and think they’re fun to move to”. And isn’t that really the most important part of music?
~Evil Dictators Happyland says she enjoys Electronic music, simply reporting “i dunno exactly why i like it honestly, it just sorta sounds good to me”. She also recommends anyone looking to get into Electronic music give Daft Punk and Astrophysics a try.

Until next month, this is your TITO Update Staff signing off - Wischland

Christ, how many times have I been in the update memes? I've lost count xD Not that I'm complaining, of course xD

[Tim-Opolis]

Watching Hame terrorize Update Chat in those memes is an experience omfg

[10000 Islands Foreign Affairs]

10000 Islands and The League – Joint Statement on Proposed Frontier/Stronghold Update

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The new proposed technical update currently termed “Frontiers/Strongholds” (formerly known as Democracy/Autocracy) seeks to change the foundation of regional gameplay itself. The update claims it will help the unsatisfactory status quo in recruitment and provide an engaging change to the game by redirecting power accumulation inherent within the current nature of GCRs. Many players have voiced opposition to this, and regions such as Thaecia, Europeia, and The Communist Bloc have outwardly stated opposition to this.

As defenders and user-created regions concerned about the health of the game and its communities, 10000 Islands and The League are unequivocally opposed to the implementation of the Frontier/Stronghold update. There are a number of issues with the proposed change that range from putting a variety of communities at risk to devaluing the work of the Security Council, which we believe outweigh any potential benefits of the update.

Most concerningly, the change perpetuates the idea that a region would “consent” to raiding and defending by selecting democracy. Selecting democracy will lure inexperienced players or those seeking to boost regional recruitment, providing a temporary boost while putting their regions at extreme vulnerability to hostile actors. Those who choose to protect their communities will be forced to continue navigating a sub-par recruitment situation, something this change does nothing to improve. Regional leaders will be forced to choose between accepting violations of their regional sovereignty as legitimate and their ability to effectively build their region. The changes sideline region-building in favor of military gameplay. NationStates is a social and community based game, and we firmly believe that many players remain involved in NationStates because of this social aspect. The idea that communities must be able to be destroyed and must need to make themselves vulnerable to destruction to be able to prosper is a dangerous one, that misunderstands the true appeal of NationStates to many players as a place to become involved in caring communities. Conflict, namely conflict which can harm communities, is not a necessity of this game. Out of concern for the damage and instability communities of both current and future regions will be forced to face under this proposed update, our regions stand firmly in opposition to such a change.

Furthermore, the update would have harmful consequences regarding the Security Council. The suggested “Embargo” category is extremely problematic for a healthy SC for several reasons. Most likely, the Embargo category, like others, will be subjected to joke proposals or underhanded and petty attempts to abuse the category by authors against regions they dislike, generally wasting the time and energy of those genuinely involved in the SC. More seriously, if a region with severe out-of-character issues, or even a fascist region, were to be an eligible democracy, the expectation that consequences be dealt out via the Embargo category furthers the narrative that these issues are for the players to handle as a part of gameplay, rather a continued state of insufficient action on the part of site moderation.

We recognize the good intentions of the proposed update in redistributing influence across a broader array of regions and providing a new method of playing NationStates, however, 10000 Islands and The League believe that these changes will prove to be far less effective than might be hoped. Given the pre-existing infrastructure of large regions, and especially GCRs, of welcoming and incorporating new players into the game, these regions will have a far easier time gaining new players as “Frontier” regions, over newer, smaller regions. Combined with the near-exclusive stability these regions will have due to their large size and endorsement count, we believe that this update will not provide an effective means of redistributing or diluting influence or altering the power dynamics currently found within NationStates. Rather than providing the desired benefits, we believe the proposed changes would simply make region-building and encouraging involvement by new players more difficult.

While we understand the desire of regions to see changes in the game, namely in recruitment and adjacent processes, we are confident that the Frontiers and Strongholds update is not the way to bring about beneficial change to the site. We stand with the other regions and individuals in opposition to this proposed change and encourage people to speak their minds about this issue in the appropriate venues.

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Wischland, Delegate of 10000 Islands
Hakketomat, Chief Executive of 10000 Islands

Quebecshire, Consul and LDF Commander of The League
Spode Humbled Minions, Director of Foreign Affairs of The League

[The Python]

Good on TL and XKI for making this statement.

This petition also exists for anyone else who opposes this change.

[Minskiev]

Good on TL and XKI for making this statement.

This petition also exists for anyone else who opposes this change.

Python. Petitions don't do anything. Chill.

XKI and TL, good on you two.