Sometimes in the middle of a game of Diplomacy it seems worth destroying a friendship if it means finding a way to wrest control of Serbia from an opponent.

And if they quit your friendship over a game, you better get new friends anyway.

I've heard that too, but I'm not sure why any players (friends) would be surprised. The whole point of the game is to backstab other players at just the right moment! :)

There are no dice. It's entirely about self-interest and betrayal. So why would you think that? ;-)

Yeah, Diplomacy is one of those games that you know you have been back-stabbed and there are no dice to save you. I will say it is a fun distance game with a group. Diplomacy is a marathon and Colonial Diplomacy is a sprint. Playing Diplomacy with a judge and only 1 area of visibility is a true treat.

If you want a game that can seriously lead to violence then try Junto, History of the Roman Empire, or TSR's Line in the Sand when Israel gets the "Ancient Israel" card with USA getting "Global Policemen" (these are not compatible and leads to nukes and fists).