Yes- I agree that the interest is before the war. Look at the recent situation with Ni. The threads about Athens attacking Ni and MK telling everyone to back off received FAR more attention than the resolution thread. People want to start a war, but the war itself is all down to formulas and guides. It isn't nearly as interesting as the politics.
As for superpower- I think certain alliances could become one within a couple of months if they chose to. They have that sort of power and influence. But everyone is watching out for everyone else. And so no one is acting. The political landscape after the next war will be very interesting.