- Pronouns
- He/Him
Welcome to On the Record with...well, me. Last night I sat down with prominent administration official Sopo to discuss foreign policy related topics. Here's what he had to say.
CSP: Sopo! Welcome to the first in a series of interviews focused on foreign policy here at the Europeian Citizen.
Sopo: Thanks for having me.
CSP: Let's start with a softer topic. How do you feel about the effectiveness of our current Foreign Affairs infrastructure (i.e. Deputies, EAAC, Navy)? Should any alterations be made?
Sopo: As most people know, I brought up some concerns about the EAAC back in early December in my article, "The State of Our Foreign Policy." Now that the GH is viewable by citizens only, it's easier to discuss foreign policy a little bit more openly. Mouse also added me to the EAAC this term, and I'm hoping to compile a report before the end of the term outlining EAAC discussions and where those discussions have led to public action. The Navy has been functioning well under Kraken, and I don't see the need for any more major changes, but I appreciate his focus on training the next generation of Navy leaders. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a whole could use some healthy discussion. The remnants of the GAP linger, and we need to figure out what our remaining responsibilities are so we can phase it out completely. There has also been confusion over the past couple of terms as to where EON and/or an international paper stand. That needs to be clarified and sorted out as soon as possible. Finally, we've just seen our second update this term. I don't expect we'll see another one, but we certainly need to be considering how effective our current updates are and how we can improve them. We're a fluorishing region, and our updates need to convey that vibrancy, both in frequency and content.
CSP: I'm glad you brought up a number of points we'll cover in more detail. As a follow up, do you see the deputy scheme we currently have as being optimal?
Sopo: No, though I'm not sure if it's a systemic problem or one related to people in the respective roles. In Culture, I found it useful to delegate specific projects to "directors," but FA really requires someone knowledgable at the top with a clear strategy to be followed by those in the middle and at the bottom. We've seen great successes in the recent past in a number of areas, but I would like to see more emphasis on foreign policy and grand strategy, rather than individual incidences. We've sort of been riding the wave of the Independence Conference, but we need a new long-term project or vision to keep us on track. The GAP, EON, etc, it's not clear how these pieces fit into the puzzle, and without mapping it out first its hard to expect outstanding results from deputies.
CSP: What is Europeia’s role in NationStates? What do we stand for? Is that good enough?
Sopo: We're the preiminent UCR. We got here by earning the respect of raiders and defenders alike through years of shrewd diplomacy and meticulous region-building. More recently, we've become the face of Independence, an ideology that Europeia has embodied nearly since its founding. We've led the fight against Nazis, expressing a willingness to build consensus around issues that the entire gameplay community can get behind. We're uniquely positioned to take on that role, and it's one I hope to see us step into once again in the coming months. Is that good enough? Simply put, no. We can't allow ourselves to become complacent. We always need to strive for the next goal.
CSP: The EAAC has been a hot topic since its inception. As the newest member of that body, what's your opinion of its composition and function? Is the membership representative of the region? Has your opinion of it changed since being admitted?
Sopo: I've always been a supporter of the EAAC, but it's a delicate balance to strike between the President's need for candid advice and keeping the people engaged and informed. The EAAC contains some of the best and brightest foreign policy minds in Europeia, whose insights would likely go to waste if the EAAC did not exist as an institution. As for "representative," it depends what you mean. The typical EAAC member has been in Europeia since the dawn of time and has served in multiple capacities at home and abroad related to foreign affairs. So no, they are not "representative" of the average Europeian, but that's why they're there. They have the specialized experience the President wants in advisors. The last question is difficult to answer. My opnion hasn't really changed, because I do think it's important to make sure that the EAAC doesn't become more than it was set out to be: an advisory body. However, I don't think it's moved outside that role since I was included. Like I mentioned, I do hope to release a thorough report on behalf of the EAAC before the end of the term.
CSP: The EON has been a slow starter. What's your assessment of this initiative at present? Can it yield results? What should our goals be going forward with this program and how do we get there?
Sopo: I can't really answer this question, because I don't think the EON actually exists as such, or, if it does, it exists differently than originally described. It's a project in flux.
CSP: Fair enough. Has the Ambassador Academy come along the way we hoped it would? Should it have taken this long into the term to get off the ground? Has the PR effort been sufficient to this point?
Sopo: The Ambassador Academy is one of the things I'm most excited about as we approach the end of the term, and one of the things I'm most interested in working on as Vice President. It was a recent addition to the Cabinet's agenda, and I think it's shaping up well so far. We have a number of new members interested in learning about foreign policy. One key here is the structure. The Academy will not be boring lessons, but engaging games where we take realistic diplomatic incidents and let the students choose their path, then explaining what the different results would be and why. I'm currently working on a region-wide TG featuring the work of the various Ministries which will certainly include the Ambassador Academy, and I hope as it develops we continue a solid PR effort.
CSP: It will be interesting to see that kind of interactive method. We've become so very fond of subjecting pupils to massive essays. Has the Navy functioned as an effective foreign policy tool? Why or why not?
Sopo: I believe it has. One of the reasons that the Navy has appeared less active is because we've been busy with large, long-term operations. Anne Frank near the start of the term was a huge victory against Nazism and hate-based raiding in NS. We also helped our allies in TNP assist their allies in Stargate, further demonstrating our commitment to allied cooperation. The Navy has been doing exactly as it should, and I'm proud to be a part of it.
CSP: Just a few more questions. I know it's late. Who do you see as being Europeia's most vital partners at this point and in the coming months?
Sopo: All of our allies are valuable, but our increased focus on GCR relations has certainly paid off when it comes to TNP and TSP, both of which we have been active with militarily and/or culturally this term. The GCRs are where nations first enter the game and where our name recognition is most valuable, so I would consider those especially important relationships that we should be sure to maintain and further develop.
CSP: Interesting second half there. The President didn't campaign on much in terms of foreign affairs. Do you observe a coherent strategy or method being applied? What's the Mouse Doctrine?
Sopo: Mouse would certainly admit that foreign affairs are not her strength. In that regard, I don't think there is a "Mouse Doctrine." The focus has been much more on gameside integration, mentoring, and training. If anything, the "Mouse Doctrine" is constant education and betterment. I'm grateful to have been a part of this government as Minister of Culture and soon as VP, but my main involvement to date has not been in matters of foreign affairs.
CSP: Any other comments, thoughts, gripes?
Sopo: I look forward to the remainder of the term as VP where I hope I will be able to make an impact in the remaining couple of weeks.
CSP: Good stuff. Congratulations on the nomination and thank you for taking the time to gab with me. Hopefully some healthy discussion will follow from others.
Sopo: Indeed, thanks for inviting me to talk.