Policy of Authoritative Deference

The Policy of Authoritative Deference (PAD) is a concept in the foreign relations of Urcea as it relates to its partners in the Levantine Union and the interests of these nations abroad. Specifically, it provides that areas in which Urcea does not have any direct interests, Urcea's role is to provide whatever support is needed for the furtherance and achievement of goals of its Levantine Union partners. In practical terms, this policy is most applicable to Alshar and Audonia, where Urcea has had no stake since its cession of Antilles, and instead supports the goals and interests of Fiannria and Burgundie. This support largely includes the diplomatic weight of Urcea and some financial resources, but can include armed support as needed. The Policy has had the effect of giving any action taken by a Levantine Union member in these regions the full force of Urcea's considerable resources behind it. Critics of the Policy have referred to it as "Urcea's blank cheque to Levantia."

Operation Kipling is widely cited as the beginning of the Policy. At that time, Urcea had no distinct policy with respect to the interests of its Union and LOTA allies, but nonetheless agreed to support Burgundie's Audonian interests. The Policy was originally intended to limit Urcea's influence to financial and diplomatic support after having committed military supports there, but this limitation gradually receded as relationships within the Union grew and Kipling became less relevant to contemporary geopolitics.