Comment by vrganj

You know what protects peace? Cooperation.

The countries of Western Europe used to be at a state of continuous war for literal centuries, horrible atrocities inflicted on one another.

They all had their fancy armies, and they were all tempted to use them. Gotta get your money's worth, y'know?

Then they founded the world's most successful peace project, the European Union.

No wars between members since.

This adolescent behavior of threatening gestures is counterproductive and only leads to more conflict.

More mature societies have figured that out already.