Consequences

[Dee1891]

I find it odd that the Federation did not suffer any real consequences for Sisko and Garak's deception to drag the Romulans into the Dominion War. And instead of showing any political consequences for Section 31's attempt at genocide, the showrunners kickstarted a civil war within the Klingon Empire.

 

[at Quark's]

I find it odd that the Federation did not suffer any real consequences for Sisko and Garak's deception to drag the Romulans into the Dominion War.

I would agree, but did the truth ever come out? Besides Sisko and Garak, some at Starfleet HQ must have known about it, since they gave their approval to some actions, but how many knew over there? More importantly, did the Romulans ever find out?

 

[Tosk]

Sometimes shady shit happens and people get away with it.

 

[Dee1891]

Sometimes shady shit happens and people get away with it.

And sometimes, writers will waste a good story potential.

 

[at Quark's]

Come to think of it, it would have given Garak a huge bargaining chip if he were to have a function in the post-war Cardassian government. In order to maintain good relations with the Romulans, the Federation probably wouldn't want them to ever find out. Garak could use that as leverage if ever he wanted some concession from the Federation. Yes, he would implicate himself as well, but a Cardassian refugee doing these things would be much less of a shock than the Federation doing these things.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

More importantly, did the Romulans ever find out?

There's no evidence to support this and it's entirely my own idea, but I always like to think that the Tal'Shiar were not fooled by the false Dominion assassination plot for the destruction of Senator Vreenak's shuttle, but that they were secretly pleased that the Federation finally showed that it could be ruthless enough to do whatever it takes to win the war, and that they now had justification to convince the Romulan government to take up arms against the Dominion, which had been crossing their border with impunity and would have inevitably turned on the Romulans once they had crushed the Federation and Klingons. So they kept the secret and used the deception to influence the Romulan Praetor and Senate to mobilize for war.

Basically, Sisko acted like a Romulan, and in doing so, earned the Romulan's trust that it was worth the risk of joining the Alliance.

 

[Bad Thoughts]

I find it odd that the Federation did not suffer any real consequences for Sisko and Garak's deception to drag the Romulans into the Dominion War.

USS Promethius explains that.

 

[Guy Gardener]

I'm looking at the special effects and shuddering, but a long time ago, this is the in the pale moon light sequel that I needed.

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[DonIago]

The Romulans may not have found out. They may have found out at a point where defeating the Dominion took precedence over retaliation against the Federation. They may have found out after DS9 ended, or they may have started to plan a revenge that would occur after the run of DS9 (and potentially was pre-empted by Nemesis). They may have decided to keep the secret for the time-being and use it against the Federation in a diplomatic manner later.

The Romulans are patient and calculating. That we didn't see any repercussions during the run of the series doesn't mean they didn't eventually come to pass.

 

[Ragitsu]

...then the Romulans execute Garak.

 

[Oddish]

Regarding Section 31 and the Dominion...
1. Section 31 did not officially exist. And while at least some Federation officials condoned their actions (seen in Inter Arma...), you can't really punish a group you're ignoring.
2. The Federation was at war with the Dominion, and the Great Link was basically the Dominion's brain. Destroy the brain, and the voice (the Vorta) is silenced and the fists (the Jem'Hadar) can't function.

 

[Dee1891]

N/A

 

[Oddish]

War is rarely moral. At best, it's the lesser or least of multiple evils.

 

[Dee1891]

Regarding Section 31 and the Dominion...
1. Section 31 did not officially exist. And while at least some Federation officials condoned their actions (seen in Inter Arma...), you can't really punish a group you're ignoring.
2. The Federation was at war with the Dominion, and the Great Link was basically the Dominion's brain. Destroy the brain, and the voice (the Vorta) is silenced and the fists (the Jem'Hadar) can't function.

Basically, Sisko acted like a Romulan, and in doing so, earned the Romulan's trust that it was worth the risk of joining the Alliance.

Both seem like attempts to give Sisko, Garak and Starfleet moral excuses for their actions, because they're the "good guys". This does not sit well with me.

 

[Oddish]

Both seem like attempts to give Sisko, Garak and Starfleet moral excuses for their actions, because they're the "good guys". This does not sit well with me.

See my previous post.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Edit: Ninja'd by @Locutus of Bored.

Here's what the Romulans would do if they ever found out:

(Ops on DS9)

KIRA: Captain, we're receiving a top secret coded transmission. Origin indicates Romulan territory.

SISKO: What did they say?

KIRA: (pause)
"Well played."

 

[Finn]

I concur with some here and in past threads about this, but I do believe the Romulans, especially the Tal'Shiar weren't truly fooled and played along because they saw some benefits in it...due to reasons.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Plus I'm sure Vreenak's many enemies welcomed his demise, and didn't particularly care how it was achieved.

 

[Ragitsu]

Even so, I can't see the Romulans of all species allowing that precedent to be set.

 

[Dee1891]

I concur with some here and in past threads about this, but I do believe the Romulans, especially the Tal'Shiar weren't truly fooled and played along because they saw some benefits in it...due to reasons.

Was there anything in the series to support this idea?