Formula for success:
• Be controversial
• Core theme
• Historical/Authentic/Political
• Authoritarian/Democratically (but controlled) placed on a predetermined path
• Rigored system of membership promotions
• Militaristic
• Dynamic leadership
Alliances whom have weathered this path and still exist:
• New Pacific Order
• New Polar Order
• Mushroom Kingdom
• Federation of Armed Nations
• Independent Republic of Orange Nations
• Nordreich
• Umbrella
That to me is the list of alliances in this game that are not cookie cutter, lazy, stupidly themed, meatshields, 'exist by default', packed on a bus with friends for protection and just so inept that their continued existence defies logic.
This is NOT to say that alliances like Viridian Entente, Sparta, The Order of Paradox, New Sith Order, Mostly Harmless Alliance, Orange Defense Network, Valhalla and Fark -- will not be there for you when !@#$ turns sideways -- but the alliances on that top list; they will burn for you and sail to the end of the world if that means defending you.
That top list has a lot of things in common; chiefly being that they're tough !@#$ and anyone who has played this game long enough, will appreciate and expect the outcome of what will happen when one of those declares your pixels dust. Denying the reality of that fact is uneducated in the historical wars of Cyber Nations.
What makes a successful alliance?
A desire to $%&@ !@#$ up and coordinated offenses. No amount of 'forum and charter design' will save you when the music stops. Strong theme, unwavering leadership, balls and educated leadership -- that is success.
Play ball or go home.