Soviet/Japanese Non Aggression Pact:
If the Japanese attack any Soviet territory that is adjacent to any Mongolian territory, all Mongolian territories (Olgiy, Dzavhan, Tsagaan-Olom, Central Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, and Buyant-Uhaa) are placed under the control of the Soviet Union at the end of the Japanese Combat Move phase, in the same manner as though the Soviet Union had moved land units into a friendly neutral territory. These territories have Soviet control markers placed on them, and their standing army units are placed on the board and are controlled by the Soviet Union player from then on. This occurs regardless of the state of relations between the Soviet Union and Japan at the time of the attack, with one exception. If the Soviet Union attacks any Japanese-controlled territory bordering these Mongolian territories while Mongolia is still neutral, Mongolia will remain neutral and not ally itself with the Soviet Union.
I’m slightly confused by this. I think it is meant to say that if Russia attacks Japan in the bordering territories first, Mongolia will not activate in the game at all. But then there is that “regardless of the state of relations between the Soviet Union and Japan at the time of the attack” bit, which can be interpreted to mean that Japan can retake its lost territories, but pushing into Russia will still activate Mongolia, even if Russia attacked first.
Or…does it mean if the Russians attack Japan first, but not near Mongolia, that Mongolia will still activate if Japan counter attacks in one of the Russian territories next to Mongolia?