Multiple players can have leverage on the same country?

A key concept of the game, is the role that an international system with many powers who can’t go to open war with each other, have on international relations. For this reason, the game has very few zero-sum outcomes.  In such a world, power is relative.

In particular, all players are capable of having influence in, and leverage over the same countries around the world.  This is to simulate the complexities of the modern world: competitors trade, collaborate on security, energy, environment or human rights with the same countries, even though they may not do so directly with each other. The most pressing examples today would include India, Singapore, Brazil, South Africa, etc.

For this reason, one player’s leverage over a country does not limit other players’ ability to leverage the same country. Both players gain benefits from it and can include the country to support actions that require coalitions to target their opponents.

The trick is building a larger coalition and timing!

• Ian