Does the AI use 'peace' and 'war' between factions

[General_Jah]

I'm still in my first game and trying to figure this beast out and thankfully its been pretty challenging so far!

I'm trying to figure the AI out a bit and have a few questions...

My capital is way behind my front lines and happens to be next to water... This damn water faction builds up a HUGE force whenever I have my army off on the other side of my lands fighting and attacks me.

Well my spies have cruised around and determined that 2 other factions that border this water faction have virtually NO defense in their territories bordering them. It would be far easier for the AI to take them over than trying to sack my capital that has decent defenses...

Any thoughts on this? Am I missing something here?

Also, one of the enemy factions that borders my land in the game has not attacked me all game and I have never attacked them. My forces aren't much at all if they wanted to come in and invade, yet they haven't. I can't figure out why, is there such a thing as peace? Is it because I have never attacked them?

The faction I'm currently at war with was kind of a test. He had a easily conquered provine on my border and I took it real quick. Next thing I know his WHOLE army is invading my territory... I'm assuming this faction took it as some kind of act of War.

If you veterns could shed some light on this I would appreciate it!

Thanks