So let me see if I can sum this Foreign Ministry stuff up: 

1. The Torians and Thalans are at war.  This is quiet for the Torians are building and...
2. The Thalans and Yor are at war.  We'll have our pound of - flesh? circuitry? - regardless. 
3. The Drath and Krynn are at war.  Slow because the Yor are in the way, but they shortly won't be. 
4. The Korx are going after the minors. 
5. The Drengin and Iconians just ended a war.

And that's everybody! 

What say that, after the Yor War (hey, that's, like, the world's shortest poem!) is over, we try and shorten our border by going after the Drath?

This also seems a good time to discuss what kind of victory we're shooting for.  Not necessarily vote on, but debate.  Or mention.  Or we could ignore it and just follow our influence/conquest victory path. 

  That's almost everybody.  The Iconians and Drath are warring, as well.  We had also forgotten about the long running war between the Drengin and Torians.  We don't have many means to monitor the far north, but Torian movement toward the Drengin could be another factor in the slow pace of the Torian-Thalan conflict.

Also, since we're discussing relations, here's a look at our standing with the various powers.  We believe our standing with the Torians actually dropped a bit after the bump from our support to them.  Others are more or less impressed with us for various reason.

We agree that the time is at hand to discuss long term strategy.  Whether it comes down to something so formal as a vote is one thing, but an airing of the council's views in that regard is crucial to our future planning.

G'Norlisk will prepare the ballot.

***RESUME TRANSMISSION - SECURITY LEVEL ALPHA***

G'Norlisk:

  This session's ballot has an exception to the usual research format.  Ld Cmdr Mekoides requested that we add a yes/no vote on diverting two weeks research to Advanced Starbase Construction and Starabase Fortification Mark I.  These technologies are necessary for continued starbase fortification and are fundamental to our plan to construct sentinel starbases for our protectorates.  Those two technologies will still be in the research list.  If the vote passes, they will be researched first.  If not, they will be researched in the order of priority.

I am also to mention that the technology for Mass Drivers (Planetary Bombardment) has been previously obtained through trade.

Research

Immediate research up to Starbase Fort. Mk I (Yes/No):

Advanced Starbase Construction:

Starbase Fortification Mark I:

Alliances:

Expert Miniaturization (Hyperion Shrinker):

Master Hull Building (Hyperion Shipyard):

Neutrality Learning Centers:

Advanced Toxic:

Advanced Radioactive:

Extreme Entertainment (Ultra Spices):

Tidal Disruption:

Advanced Troop Mod:

Good and Evil:

Balanced Vision:

Duranthium III:

Stinger IV:

Particle Beams I:

Particle Beams II:

Foreign Relations

Construct "sentinel starbases" for Trilarian and Psilonics:

Provide robust continuing support to Trilarian and Psilonics:

Councilor Signature:

The research voting seems to be the biggest issue this quarter.  If there are any other issues that you feel warrant a vote, please forward them and voting will continue until all issues are resolved.

Research

Immediate research up to Starbase Fort. Mk I (Yes/No): +, +

Advanced Starbase Construction: N/A

Starbase Fortification Mark I: N/A

Alliances: 4, 5

Expert Miniaturization (Hyperion Shrinker): 3, 2

Master Hull Building (Hyperion Shipyard):

Neutrality Learning Centers: 2, 4

Advanced Toxic:

Advanced Radioactive:

Extreme Entertainment (Ultra Spices):

Tidal Disruption: 7

Advanced Troop Mod: 6

Good and Evil:

Balanced Vision: 1

Duranthium III:

Stinger IV:

Particle Beams I: 1

Particle Beams II: 3

Foreign Relations

Construct "sentinel starbases" for Trilarian and Psilonics: +, +

Provide robust continuing support to Trilarian and Psilonics: +, +

Propose alliance to Krynn when possible: +, +

Councilor Signature: talonschild

I'm gonna go ahead and say Lord Councilor qrtxian meant to sign it, too.

Research

Immediate research up to Starbase Fort. Mk I (Yes/No): +, +, 0, +

Advanced Starbase Construction: N/A

Starbase Fortification Mark I: N/A

Alliances: 4, 5, 6, 5

Expert Miniaturization (Hyperion Shrinker): 3, 2, 5, 1

Master Hull Building (Hyperion Shipyard):

Neutrality Learning Centers: 2, 4, 1, 2

Advanced Toxic:

Advanced Radioactive:

Extreme Entertainment (Ultra Spices):

Tidal Disruption: 7, 8

Advanced Troop Mod: 6, 7

Good and Evil: 6

Balanced Vision: 1

Duranthium III:

Stinger IV:

Particle Beams I: 1, 2, 3

Particle Beams II: 3, 3, 4

Robust Hull: 4

Foreign Relations

Construct "sentinel starbases" for Trilarian and Psilonics: +, +, +, +

Provide robust continuing support to Trilarian and Psilonics: +, +, +, +

Propose alliance to Krynn when possible: +, +, +, +

Councilor Signatures: qrtxian, talonschild, Noctilucus, NikolaiOmega

***INCOMING TRANSMISSION - SECURITY LEVEL ALPHA***

***FROM: COMMANDER MEKOIDES, EXTERRA COMMAND***

***TO: INITIATIVE COUNCILORS AND ROYALTY, TOLMEKIA PRIME***

***SUBJECT: QUARTERLY REPORT, JULY 01, 2231***

Ld Cmdr Mekoides:

  Another twelve weeks and here we are, councilors.  Everything has gone according to plan, more or less.  The Yor are on the verge of utter defeat, having lost nine of their planets in heavy fighting.  Four of their remaining five planets will be under siege within weeks.  We'd be even further along, but were set back after capturing the Yor Orbital Command Center early in the quarter.  After they lost the ability to coordinate their defenses, we were forced to confront their large defensive forces piecemeal, delaying our invasion forces.  Our forces have done extremely well, though I regret to report the first loss of warships in fleet battle.  Small losses in the grand scheme of things, but felt no less.

  We now control almost all of what was Yor space, including Iconia.  They will shortly be left with only their single planet hidden in Drengin space.

  A last ditch effort to counter our technological superiority?  More like a parting gift as we drive them to the edge of the galaxy.  The capital will be ours shortly.

  Too little, too late.  Gnolam and Thalan fleets have been doing damage to the Collectives eastern forces, leaving their planets undefended as our transports approach.  The Thalans will gain no conquest for their expenditure.

***TRANSMISSION INTERRUPT - STAND BY FOR RECONNECT***

***RESUME TRANSMISSION - SECURITY LEVEL ALPHA***

The economic boom has come to an end.  Our vigorous development has paid off, and we are far better off now than we were beforehand, even with our growing military.

  It seems we are the beneficiaries of the the Thalans and Torians breaking trade relations.  All their extra trade capacity has shifted to us.  We did see a Torian freighter heading for Iconia V immediately prior to our invasion, but it changed course after we captured the planet.

  The Psilonics and Trilarian aren't the only local races feeling pressure.  The Sakkra don't seem likely to remain independent for very long in the aftermath of our war.

***TRANSMISSION INTERRUPT - STAND BY FOR RECONNECT***

Esteemed council,

Once again congratulations to our military and at the same time my condolences to the families of our fallen soldiers.

I am actually delighted to see that the Yor built a technological capital as this will significantly boost our research capacity once we claim that planet.
I do trust that the necessary efforts will be taken to overhaul the conquered Yor planets to make them more suitable to our needs.

It is unfortunate that the temporary peace has given way to severall wars against the Trilarians and Psilonics.
In any case we have to ensure that their capitals don't fall into enemy hands, worst case claiming them for our own in order to liberate them from the Drengin or Krynn oppression.

I am glad to see that the other races see us mostly in a positive light; we will have to watch the Drengin carefully though.
Again on the positive side it is good to see that even once the economic boom has come to an end, we are still running a healthy surplus, in no small part thanks to our treaties and trade relations.

On the topic of research, seeing that the Thalans are keeping equal pace with us, I would like us to put stronger focus on weapon development (particle beams I, II and probably onto the next level of weaponry), as well as Robust Hull.
Seeing our previous vote, I would once again put Tidal Disruption and Advance Troop Mod on the table.

I do think it's slightly too early to research and form Alliances though we should be aware that we are now able to do so with races such as the Drath, Iconian and Krynn.

Yours sincerely,
Councilor Noctilucus

Gentle-beings.

I, too, would like to join my fellow lord councilors in congratulating our military in its success against the Yor, as well as in offering my condolences on our losses. With the collective nearly destroyed, it's time to begin considering our new long-term plans. I have no immediate proposals in this regard, though I second Councilor NikolaiOmega's recommendation on avoiding foreign alliances at present - based on the Krynn's aggressive behavior, they are no longer quite as suitable a potential ally, though I do support that we at least complete research on Alliances.

As far as research goes, I support the further development of the Particle Beams branch. I also recommend we pursue Expert Logistics as soon as possible so as to better concentrate our forces.

Otherwise, I have no suggestions or questions at present. Our position seems secure.

Viceroy Gunray:

   I am happy to provide you with list of our trading partners.  Besides the trade routes that we have established ourselves, we have received freighters from the Thalan Empire, the Torian Confederation, and the Dominion of Korx.  Specifically, the Thalans maintain 6 routes, the Korx 4, and the Torians 2.

  Our current trade routes.  We have license to establish an additional three routes, and already have freighters outbound.  One is nearing the homeworld of the Psilonics, while the other two are awaiting instructions.

Ld Cmdr Mekoides:

  Where we decide to send those last freighters could have an impact on our long term strategy.  We are well situated to establish our domination of this region through either military or diplomatic means.  If we wish to attempt for a peaceful takeover, sending those freighters to the Torians and Thalans could help solidify ties between us.  If not, we ought to pick our friends and beneficiaries wisely.

Other than that, there seems to be broad consensus on our course of action.  If the council would like to voice opinions in this regard, perhaps we can proceed without a formal vote.

A freighter should be sent to the Trilarian as well, as they are one of our protected civilizations. The second could be sent to whoever is friendly to us but powerful militarily.

I second the idea of a ballot.  I imagine it will deal largely with foreign affairs this quarter.