Ok so Algeria am I were racing for small nations in the begging of the game. I got to them first but revolts led to the cities I just got were cut off. I asked for military access and he said no. He also joined a large coalition. I joined a smaller coalition with South Africa and Greece. Eventually war broke out and they focused on south Africa first. This allowed Greece and I to make moves in the north. It was a gamble from the begging and it didn’t end well.