It sounds like an interesting idea; I always prefer a game that requires certain skill or tactics over the simple random roll of dice in order to win. But this part here (the preceding paragraphs) needs a little tweaking. According to your description, Joe_Schmoe has no options whatsoever. He can either agree to become a minion in Fred_1's alliance, or be bombed into submission. He should also have the option of making a first strike. That seems to be a bit more fair. Otherwise, upon receiving the initial email, he'd know that he has no recourse and will be assimilated into Fred_1's alliance. The only way this wouldn't happen would be if Fred_1 suspected Joe_Schmoe of already being in an alliance, a stronger alliance, and chickened out of his bomb threat.
> Anywho, I like the premise, but perhaps a few more options as far as how a person can react to a threat or other details could be worked out.

Firstly - Why America?! I call for a more global view!

Well - the way I see it, Joe_Schmoe would have the option of then quickly deciding to ally with anyone else (in a non-conquered sense) and getting them to also bomb Fred_1 on the grounds that clearly Fred_1's the kind of person who's aggressive in his attacks and someone who'd be better off as a subject than a rival...

Does anyone here know the game of Diplomacy by Avalon Hill? I expect they would... and that's the sort of alliances etc that are fun... like the talk happens at any time, and turns happen every couple of real time days or whatever... with added provisos to stop people bombing anyone who they have been 'conquered' by... but the purely theoretical alliances that could be broken by either party are the interesting ones...