Technically speaking the Maquis are a Cardassian problem, as they should be on the colonies on the Cardassian side of the border. He had orders from Starfleet to deal with the problem, and the method used was well within the laws and traditions of the Klingon Empire. As far as the Klingons are concerned, the action is legal and binding. Even Worf's passing over the leadership.
He had approval? Im not talking about the Romulan Senator thing. Im talking when he tells Worf to "DoOo SOmeTHing!" about Gowron.
I'm pretty sure Starfleet did tell Sisko something in that regards, though I haven't seen the episode in awhile. I thought that was a reference to Vreenak originally too, though.
I donno, compared to Section 31 and killing of the founders... I think Sisko is relieved of any crimes. I mean the Federation is quite flexible with its principles when it comes to crimes.
The man was an accomplished diplomat who had previous experience with the romulans I don't see why he couldn't convince them to join the war without the need for cloak and dagger operations.
Picard couldve easily speeched Vreenack into joining. And if not by words, then simply the sound of his voice.
And also I'm fairly sure that the specific part of the station where Worf challenged Gowron was actually a sort of Klingon consular area. So not only did Worf follow proper Klingon law, it took place in Klingon territory (just like when Worf killed Duras). Starfleet is therefore innocent of any charges of interference.
He could appeal to their self interest, present intelligence regarding Dominion duplicity, have romulans he himself met over the years support his case(there'd be a few). The man would have gotten it done.
As Vreenak himself would have said: speculation. And presenting intelligence was exactly what Sisko ended up doing. It was just that the intelligence he presented was fabricated. And it was fabricated because they couldn't find any real intelligence to serve as proof.
Picard wasn't tied down to a station he'd probably be able to have said intelligence. And it was specifically mentioned Vreenak was one of he pro-dominion senators implying that not all romulans either supported staying out or supporting the dominion. Wasn't there that one female senator Bashir got close to? Who had a pro-federation line? There would most definitely be more pro-federation members of the senate, and members that could be swayed.
The issue with the Romulans wasn't whether the Dominion would be a trustworthy ally or not. The Romulans knew it wasn't. They just saw no advantage to admitting to that, because as long as neither side was a clear winner, it served their interests to pretend that "there was no evidence". Romulans wouldn't be swayed with facts, because they knew the facts already. Romulans would be swayed by actions that altered the political situation. And an assassination was one such action, surprisingly enough. Apparently, the Romulans were already more or less fifty-fifty about choosing their side, and only needed a minor excuse. But "evidence", real or fabricated, wouldn't count, because then it would look as if the Romulans themselves had made up their minds - an outside force such as this attack against Vreenak meant the Romulans were not the ones deciding, but merely reacting. Had Sisko not stumbled through this plot that concluded with decisive action, somebody else in Starfleet would probably have blown up a Romulan planet or something. And the Romulans would have known Starfleet did it, just like they most probably knew Sisko killed Vreenak, but it would be an excuse nevertheless for them to do what they wanted to do, which was to side with the victor. Timo Saloniemi
^Er, doesn't Vreenak explicitly say that he'd need proof before he'd be willing to reevaluate his position? Yes, yes he does: SISKO: What if I told you that the Dominion is planning a sneak attack on the Romulan Empire at this very moment? VREENAK: I'd want proof.
But that's just Vreenak posturing. Half of Romulus appears to disagree with Vreenak, and is delighted to see him blown to smithereens. Implicitly, half wants to stay buddies with the Dominion and is delighted to see Vreenak insist on proof, then disappointed to see him eliminated. But anything happening (as opposed to nothing happening) automatically favors the "we want change" party and undermines the "status quo" party, and a supporter of the latter party dying is just icing on that particular cake. Timo Saloniemi