My wife observed that the implication of all this points out a big part of Equestria's problem: they may be all about that dank Friendship up in their own borders, but externally, the institutional lack of paying attention to the world around them has kicked Equestria up the rump several times now. They had an ally who they expected to come to their aid during a surprise invasion party, but had no clue that ally had already been defeated and sent underwater by the party crasher? It's Griffonstone and the Dragonlands all over again, except this time the nuts are already in the fire; the Human world equivalent would be if America in 1917 or 1940 hadn't even been aware Europe was having a war.