Strategy Games Besides RISK?

yes, I have asked the question of doom. I've been playing RISK with my friends for months now, and I like it, but i would like to know- are there any other wargames in this style? not too complicated, and won't take more than a few hours? i've been considering axis & allies..does anyone know if that'd be a good buy?
EDIT: it's usually with 2 other friends, so, yeah. i thought diplomacy sounded really interesting, but alas, not enough players
i've heard of the variants, but...i don't think it'd match up to the intended 7-player game, and i don't know if i'd be willing to betray them and all that, even if it's just a game (and also reviews from people from BoardGameGeek). and plus the game comes out under a new distributor (?), avalon hill in march of this year
EDIT: it's usually with 2 other friends, so, yeah. i thought diplomacy sounded really interesting, but alas, not enough players
