[dogscoff]

You can get intel points without intel facilities, you just need to be in a partnership or MA with someone who has intel facilities.

Oh, and if you become a superpower, the AI *will* all turn on you, unless you have switched off the Mega Evil Empire option.

And I do find such small treaties beneficial, even with neutrals. the extra resources aren't much, but can be helpful, and I like to play the nice guy. Besides all that, allies improve your economy by not draining it: If you're not at war with someone, that's one less border to build warships and defences for.