Vote's open, and here are the options. Rewritten in light of the most common complaints and questions for clarification, and including write-ins and new options.
I'm pretty strongly against peacing out under these circumstances.
That said, I'm pretty nervous about the option that has us declaring the Buffalo Free State.
It wins the tactical battle while costing us the war.
Yes, it's a brilliantly cold option that strikes right at the foundations of Victorian, and Blackwell's legitimacy, by exploiting Victorian psychology.
But it WILL have diplomatic consequences if we set the precedent of being willing to fake the trappings of legitimacy for political advantage; future states that join us will have to weather that skepticism from the outside world .
It gives Blackwell free propaganda points to use against us in the rest of North America by being able to paint us as being in for a landgrab.
And we cannot guarantee being able to evacate ALL the Buffaloers before the snows come.
Not while running a full six division war.
And there's always the Russia wildcard to consider.
I don't know if Alexei's resolution on staying out of the festivities will survive actual declarations of secession that make it look like Victoria, his puppet is schisming. Look at the Russian reaction to the events in Syria, and that was a place where the opposition had the overt aid of another superpower.
Let's not poke the bear. Yet.
Save this strategy for the endgame, when we can take AND HOLD Victorian territory.
So, in light of all that, I'm approval voting for two options only.
My preferred option which is Two Can Play ,
One alternative which is Demonstration Strikes.
VOTE
[X] This was not a decisive blow, merely a painful setback. It wasn't even a defeat! You achieved your operational objectives and pushed out the forces responsible for this. Operations will continue.
Continue the war, now racing internal dissent as well as Loyalist pressure.
-[X] Blackwell wants to avoid your main strength and strike where you are weak? Two can play at that game. Advance a couple of divisions as tripwires against an assault from Rochester and disperse the rest into upstate New York. Tear up the industrial infrastructure Blackwell needs to fight these wars, and he will be forced to respond, allowing you to draw him out to battle on your own terms. The risk is that, when he responds, he managed to find a favorable engagement and bleed you enough that the victory you're seeking is denied.
[X] This was not a decisive blow, merely a painful setback. It wasn't even a defeat! You achieved your operational objectives and pushed out the forces responsible for this. Operations will continue.
Continue the war, now racing internal dissent as well as Loyalist pressure.
-[X] Blackwell is waiting to do enough damage to you that he can land a decisive blow. If you halt where you are and simply wait through the winter, you deny him that opportunity, and this momentary perception of victory starts to fade. Throughout, you'll send annoyance raids using your F-16s; this won't apply much pressure, but it'll at least make the point that you have in no way been
beaten by this sanctioned terrorist attack. If he attacks in order to keep his symbolic victory, great, he'll suffer a massive defeat! If he doesn't attack, also fine. You'll withdraw with spring, your point made; that is your walk-away point. The risk is that this one plays
really fast and loose with the risk of a regime change which, given the Farmers' stated stance that they'll peace out on first offer, will drastically undercut the message you're trying to convey.
