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Bill L.: Austria

 I was expecting to play Russia or Turkey with the way I set up my bids so getting Austria was a small surprise. Since I knew that Prussia's plan was to maintain his neutrality for as long as possible I felt forced to pursue a similar policy. My intentions at the start were to maintain my territorial integrity and to trade Austria's interests in Italy for considerations in southern Germany, to neutralize the threat from Turkey with an alliance and friendly relations, and to be on generally neutral terms with Russia, Spain, and Great Britain. With Prussia's neutrality I was willing to give France a fast and easy surrender in return for a long term nonaggression and loose defense pact.

 The diplomacy at the start changed my intended neutrality with Great Britain to a war stance because this was in line with my goal of friendly relations with Turkey. Beyond that the only thing that went badly wrong was my inability to attend due to familial circumstances during which Austria's position was severely eroded.

 As for the other players I found Kevin to be difficult to negotiate with because of the position of strength he held. There was little that could be offered in return for favors and there was no implied threat of a coalition due to the continuous conflict between Great Britain, Russia and Turkey.

 John had his plan set in his mind and I felt that very little could be done to sway him from it unless it would involve a very minor commitment on his part so as not to disrupt the course he was following.

 I believe Mike's error was in not ending the conflicts with Russia and Turkey immediately upon the construction of the first French and Spanish ships and building a firm naval coalition with the two of them. I understand that possession of Sweden and Denmark is very nice but having those fleets in strength and arrayed to assist Great Britain is far more vital.

 Anthony didn't have a clear plan of action set at the beginning but being new to the game he couldn't be expected to, once he focused he did better though I think he would have benefited from playing some of the scenarios before we began the campaign to get down the game mechanics and tactics, strategic and tactical.

 Bill W. was a firm and appreciated ally and acquitted himself excellently in my book, he defended the Levant perfectly by keeping his main force in a central position so it could react towards Syria or project strength into Cyrenica.

 The only thing I would change would be the fact that I was unable to attend for the last month.