When a tribe gets a new leader all deals are void? Are for serious? No way.
Now, without commenting directly on ESL's declaration (as its none of my business), to me, a NAP is nothing more than non-aggression which is subject to termination w/ notice <for fair play>. I read somewhere that ESL intended to notify, but one guy jumped early and "he was dealt with" - whatever that means.
This is a war game. I'm sure that all kinds of politics are played - egging others to fight to your advantage, declaring a war to take advantage of a perceived strength or weakness... its all strategy.
All that ESL has done is shed some light on how their current leaders handle things. Doesn't mean they can't be trusted, doesn't mean they can.
Certainly, a tribe does not want a reputation of being one that takes "unfair" advantage, attacking its neighbors when they are hit or at war, as then all the neighbors won't feel able to go to war with other tribes until the bothersome tribe is handled.
It is exactly this human element that is interesting in this game. Observing those that try and negotiate, show strength, show aggression, show pacification - all in an effort to struggle for controll of their space, then their K, then a block... and, as do the PINKY and the BRAIN - try to take over the world.
Anyway, wars are best fought w/ troops and not words, so I'm excited to see how this plays out.
Its late, I'm tired. I hope this makes some sense.