You will need to familiarize yourself with the current ruling political faction within the Seventh Order Cardassian Universe. Since the Seventh Order runs parallel to the time frame of DS9, the Dominion is presently in governmental standing over Cardassia. However, they have appointed Gul Damar to govern the Cardassian Union for them with the aid of the Vorta Overseer Weyoun. In years past the Cardassian Union was rules by Central Command, the head of the military. Central Command was eventually deposed by the ruling civilian body known as the Detapa Council. Still later that government was pushed away by the Dominion when they installed Gul Dukat as supreme leader of Cardassia and formed an alliance with the Cardassian Union. In reality that alliance is in fact an annexation of Cardassia into the Dominion and the previous Dukatian government and current Damarian government are mere puppets of the Dominion. It is however important to maintain the sense of independence amongst the Cardassian masses.

During the reign of the Detapa Council a small movement of traditionalists gained more and more power until many members in the military (about 40%) were members of this organization known as the TRI Council. The TRI was a pseudo religious organization that had political aspirations of bringing Cardassia back to it's former glory traditionally based roles for both males and females.

Once Dukat was installed as a figure head for Cardassia he passed a law stating that membership in the TRI was now outlawed and all were required to swear allegiance to his government. Dukat saw the TRI as an adversary. And though he mirrored many of the TRI's beliefs, he was not able to control them. So he made them illegal.

The  previous Kaylan of the Seventh Order (Kaylan Cor) was a member of this group along with many prominent officers within the Seventh Order. And though this caused some division amongst the ranks, many remain loyal to the ideas of the TRI to this day.  This loyalty is best kept secret due to the governmental policies on the TRI.   Kaylan Cor and his family was removed from their hereditary position of leadership due to their affiliation with this movement.

There is also a faction called the TRUE WAY, introduced several times on the DS9 episodes. The True Way group is presently more akin to terrorist activity and though holds many of the same beliefs as the TRI, is more prone to violence than the TRI members.
 
 

 

 

It has been decided by the Damerian Government that all vessels and bases serving in the various orders under the new Dominion authority will retain the position of Political Officer that was widely used under the previous government. Although the position was formerly filled by Agents of the Civilian Government, it will, from this point forward be manned by appointed Political Officer Corps members. It is by the Dominion's wishes that any Political Officer Corpsman will be appointed to this position.

Once a member has been selected they will be transferred to the Political Officer Corps of the Cardassian Guard under the command of the greater Dominion Military and will follow a single chain of command. The political officer is responsible to the political officer corps only. While on assignment the political officer will follow all orders of the commanding officer first unless the political officer deems that the commanding officer is no longer carrying out the wishes and directives of the Dominion. Then and only then will the political officer exercise his authority to remove the commanding officer from his command position and inform the first officer of his new obligations as commander. If the former first officer is negligent in his duties as well, then it is the political officer's duty to remove the new commander as well. In this event the command falls to either the chief of security or the political officer, depending on which officer is the higher ranking of the two. In the event of a command staff change the political officer will file a direct feed high priority communication to the Damarian government informing them of the change. Orders will then follow.

It is also the duty of the political officer to ensure that all members of the Cardassian Guard of the Dominion remain loyal to the Dominion. If any members are confused about their patriotism it is the political officer's duty to confront them and help them through their current state of confusion within the best means that the political officer deems necessary.

A current report will be filed daily with the civilian government whenever possible and with the commanding officer whenever appropriate.

It is the political officer's duty to advise the commanding officer on all current socio-political climates that may affect the mission.

It is the political officer's duty to advise the commanding officer when asked for advice.

A political officer must retain absolute loyalty to the Damarian government and the Dominion at all times. The political officer is the direct hand of the Dominion.

It is the political officer's duty to maintain morale throughout the vessel or base.

It is the duty of the political officer to question any prisoners that the vessel or base captures.

When classified orders are received by the commanding officer from the government or from high command, the political officer, the commanding officer, and the chief security officer must be present when they are read for the first time. Only after all three officers or their replacements have established their security codes, will the message be able to be read.

All political officers will wear the political officer corp badge on their respective uniforms as a sign to all of their patriotism and devotion to Cardassia and the Dominion.

And finally the political officer will be ever vigilant to report to the government any new socio-political information acquired about any governments or individuals.

Let this law be written on this day 9803.15 so says the current ruling body of the Cardassian Union's Eighth Republic, the Damarian Government under the Dominion.
 

 

The United Federation of Planets:

Our current relations with the United Federation of Planets are improving. Cardassia is negotiating from a position of strength and will soon have a peace accord signed with the troublesome Federation and Klingon governments. All dealings with the Federation should be considered dangerous at this time. Though we are not officially at peace with them, they should be considered as such until given reason to suspect otherwise. A word of warning. Be weary of them. Never trust them. Never share anything more than what you need to.

The Klingon Empire:

At current time we are holding an uneasy truce with the Klingons. Many of the Klingon ships seem to have left our area and are headed for the border. Be aware of their cloaked vessels. We do not want to provoke them into any further incursions into our space. If they do invade our territory, they are to be put down with extreme prejudice.

Bajor:

The Dominion currently has a non aggression pact with the planet Bajor.

Romulans:

The Dominion currently has a non aggression pact with the Romulans.

The Borg Collective:

Though the Cardassian Union has not met the Borg, Cardassian intelligence suggests that all Cardassian vessels and personnel give them a wide birth. Do not attempt to communicate with the Borg! Some intelligence operatives who were and are undercover as Starfleet officers and as Romulan officers have come in contact with them while on mission for said countries. This has provided Cardassia with invaluable knowledge about them.

The Ferengi Alliance:

The Ferengi are friendly with the Federation and should be watched carefully. The current government does not fear any aggression from Feregninar.