Sesqui-interventionalism

Sesqui-interventionalism is a term used by political analysts to describe Themiclesia's foreign policy appertaining to military conflicts abroad, only participating in them as a partner of an existing coalition and under invitation. Experts assert that Themiclesia expends resources in distant conflicts, trivial to itself, as a favour to its allies to whom those conflicts are important, in expectation that they would be more likely to assist Themiclesia in hypothetical conflicts that are pertinent to itself, were they to occur, and to make available technologies for sale as a more trusted state and valuable ally, at peace. A. R. Surrey calls this, a special quid pro a special quo (1980).

Etymology

The word is a compound of Old Sylvan semi half + que and, "increased by 50%" and English "interventionalism", the principle of military activity to achieve foreign policy objectives.

Origins

The primary motivation for sesqui-interventionalism is considered to be the Pan-Septentrion War, in which Themiclesia was able to repulse Menghe and Dayashina only with the assistance of Hallia and, to a lesser extent, Anglia and Lerchernt. After the invasion had been pushed beyond its borders, Hallia and Tyran requested Themiclesia to press forth, with them, for the conquest of Menghe. While this was not immediately important for Themiclesia, as by all accounts Hallia and Tyran possessed sufficient resources and political need to achieve the same by themselves, the Foreign Office was persuaded that if Themiclesia assisted them in their war goals, future concessions and alliances would be more forthcoming. As a result Themiclesia mobilized another 600,000 soldiers to particpate in the ensuing push towards Menghe in Dzhungestan and Maverica.

Characteristics

One of the defining characteristics of sesqui-interventionalism is non-aggression; Themiclesia rarely possesses a direct reason to intervene by force, and if one is claimed, it is usually an obvious pretense. On the one hand, this is described as a "strategically inconsequential" operation, whose results are not the main concern of the policy, but increased closeness with Themiclesia's partners in the operation are. The fact that Themiclesian forces are seen in international coalitions is often asserted as a deterrance to Themiclesia's actual enemies, giving the impression that Themiclesian allies are more numerous and are more tightly bound by common interests than what they actually are. On the other hand, participation in international peacekeeping operations has yielded tangible benefits for Themiclesia's diplomatic and defensive position.