TITO was definitely involved in the liberation of Lazarus. 10000 Islands deployed over a hundred nations in the final phase to secure the region, but they also had their more active members participating in the coalition effort to apply pressure which gave us the opening for Kazmr to free it.
We certainly compete with 10000 Islands for nations, but the same is also certainly true of Equilism, Equinox, International Northwestern Union, Renegade Islands Alliance, Spiritus, and Wintreath (and perhaps also Australia, Canada, or even Jethnea).
10000 Islands is certainly less democratic than we are, but the same is also true to some extent of very nearly every diplomatic partner we have.
If 10000 Islands is interested in relations with us, I would embrace relations with them. If they're jerks about it, we can tell them to take a hike. If they're cool, we gain friends.
