Xietor's style leaves something to be desired, but I don't think he means in that way.
Anyway, Xietor's assertion that I could still be competitive in this game has some merit to it, if I really wanted to be tenacious. However, after my second disastrous war, and many other irritating mistakes, I think I'll chalk this down as a learning experience and concentrate on my other two games (where I'm winning.)
There are few things more frustrating that suffering the consequences of your own shortsightedness and stupid mistakes
, which is exactly what's happening to me now.
With clever diplomacy I could stay in this thing - and I'm not going AI yet - but I hardly think it's likely.