Re: UN etc (was: good guys and bad guys)

Ground spake thusly upon matters weighty: 
> I see the UN's peacekeeping mandate limited to the Core systems (Sol,
> Centaurus and Barnard's), and even there they do not automatically get
> involved in every conflict - they try mainly to keep things from
getting
> out of hand on a global scale, especially preventing any orbital
> bombardment or similar. As today, they'll probably only intervene in
> "brushfire wars" when they are asked to, or when they see a threat of
large
> scale escalation.

See my comment in another reply. I assume this would be the case, 
overtly. But I presume they must undertake additional covert measures 
(intelligence gathering, nail missions, message delivery, capture of 
criminals/scientists, rescues, strike missions) to justify their 
level of success at 'holding it together'. I also figure it makes for 
an interesting twist on the UN. :)
  
> Human nature being what it is, I am sure there will be colony
settlements
> that decide to try and ethnically cleanse their neighbours, at least
until
> the said neighbours hire a good Merc regiment.....  (see many of the
> Slammers stories for good examples).

Exactly the kind of universe that has lots of good 'small scale' 
campaigning in it. Good from a reality point of view, and great from 
a gaming point of view. 
 
> The UN, the individual Nations and the Megacorps are all pieces of a
big
> jigsaw, and tend to hold each other in some sort of equilibrium until
> something breaks. Expect some fundamental shifts in the power
structure
> when (if?) humanity survives the Xeno War.....  <evil grin>

Well, bugs is another kettle o' fish. Most national rivalries take 
second place to splatting bugs. And someone has to take overall 
command in the war versus the bugs.... (and the UN might just have 
the ideal placement). 

Tom.  
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