Well, maybe you can claim everything behind the jungle and wait for wars to break out. At least Commodore is in the middle and has to worry about lots of neighbors.
It is more like Commodore is in the middle and lots of neighbors have to worry about him. Hopefully, my barren underdeveloped corner is the least interesting.
Um...that means you're headed for the clam city next? I'm not sure that's your best option; I'd be inclined to go for the floodplains/wheat to the west instead.
I mean, I guess it doesn't require as much worker help, but I don't think there's any danger of Commodore stealing it from you.