Questions about taking over Comp Controlled Countries??? (Little Upsilon)

I'm new to the game, playing for maybe 4 wks. I think the lingo is C3's?? Do I have that right??

I'm really not interested in combat at this time in this game (maybe not ever, but certainly not now). Well atleast not with other players - I'm not looking to take over someone's country AND more to the point and the more likely occurence, I don't want someone taking over my country(s).
Ok, my questions -
1) If I buy or conquer a C3 country - what is its status in regards to war protection, etc??
As I understand it, as long as I don't shut it off or attack anyone, it appears my main country is safe. Is this extended to C3's I take over??
2) I've read most people say conquer, DO NOT buy, a C3 country - how long does this take?? What is the cost roughly to your country to buy the arms to do so?? What types of troops/forces/etc and strategies are successful in doing so??

Bottom line, I'd like to grow my empire beyond the 1 country I currently have BUT do not want to then open myself up to conflicts with other players/player controlled countries - I really have no interest in this. I prefer the economic/govt management aspects of the game. I'll attack a C3 if thats the best "bang for the buck" but don't want to entice any "issues" afterwards.

I appreciate any experienced players responses. Thank you in advance!!

1) When you take control of a C3, it will have a few game years of war protection, but after that it will be unprotected. You can continually pay gold coins for temporary war protection if you are insistent on it being protected. Or you can take your chances with an unprotected country.

2) There are many strategies of taking over a C3. You can start by checking out the Wiki:
SimCountry Wiki

As far as the cost to your country, it costs 100 GC to buy a C3. Translating SC$ into GCs, it only cost a few GC to take over a C3, assuming you use an efficient method.

Good luck,
GS

Assuming you have countries outside of WP, the only people who'll likely attack you will be:

1) Raiders
2) People who you seriously piss off

There is very little chance a raider will attack you if your country is under about 20-25M in population so there's no profit in it for them. You can't sell population in a country below 20M (and it's hard to even get close to there unless you have almost no employment). If you're usually polite (like the tone of this current thread post), then it's very unlikely that you'll get anyone in the "people who you seriously piss off" category.