I guess I did make some logical jumps there; I didn't intend to imply regular style military strikes in the AQ, but strikes intend to resemble the acts of rival governments. The example was a random one - any arena with multiple bordering powers and military tensions between them would do. Not only would a conflict weaken the participants, but might even net the Empire some bonus points if they, for instance, provide humanitarian aid and the like.The Romulan Republic wrote:If I understand what you're saying, how would launching terror attacks set off local wars between factions, as opposed to inciting retalliatory attacks against us? We would have to ensure that blame for the attacks could not be traced back to us.
That, too, is a good idea. Basically, after demonstrating the capability to destroy the two greatest boogiemen the galaxy has seen, use diplomacy and divisive tactics, coupled with judicious use of force. Play your cards right, and the rest of the galaxy will only know that the Empire can take on anyone and emerge undefeated. That reputation is, as Tarkin recognized, a huge asset, even moreso when it is all that people know about you.The Romulan Republic wrote:What about threatening/bribing/persuading a few local factions to join us, giving them some outdated/obsolete Star Wars tech, and using them as proxies against other, hostile powers?
It can't be discounted, but if that is truly the case, it can't be planned for, either. The only chance to negate that possibility would be to stay within one's own galaxy, and (in the view of the Empire, at least) that would only worsen our position when the (they would argue) inevitable expansionist multi-galaxy empire comes along later on.A thought occurs. Would it be appropriate or worthwhile to consider the possibility of outside intervention? If the Empire is capable of actually invading another galaxy, then it is possible that similarly powerful civilizations in other galaxies will become aware of this. They may consider trans-Galactic expansion on the part of the Empire to be a potential threat to their own interests and security.
Can this possiblity be safely discounted?
So no, I wouldn't call speculation along those lines productive. We might as well plan for what we'd do in the event of the Q spontaneously turning each planet we manage to capture into Cornflakes.