On the ALG in Leeds, The ALG are a commercial group, yes. They are a Rhienland based commercial group, which denotes them as neutral to the conflict, and possibly friendly with the Kusari. At worst, they're at risk of not being able to pick up the same contract if the system falls to Kusari. Also, how do Gaians feel about ALG?
On the topic of wars and development: Its quite possible to grow, economically, during a war. To colonize new lands, while being attacked. All of the eras on which the Four Houses were based (when is gallia based on?) Were eras of expansion: the Golden Afternoon, the Unification of Japan, the Roaring Twenties, the buildup to world war II...These are times where nations pursued many projects, Empires and wars and colonies, on many fronts. And now, 817AS, seems to be the most expansive period in the history of Sirius, a revolution of its own. Construction is happening. New markets and new battlefields are emerging, and nations would take every advantage of them.
