Diplomacy is important, wars begin and end with policy, but you’re right– deterrence and "threat detection" (illegal spying) is the key strategy here. When you’re not the strongest, you’re weaker than someone else.

Ask_SN

Berlin says EU should prepare for war by end of decade

Fabs

If you expand your army and use it to invade, you can steal shit from other countries. Which means the rest of the world that doesn't want to get invaded has to fund their defense, their militarizes.

It's no different from how if you get rid of the police, criminals flourish and start stealing, raping, and murdering.

Relying on diplomacy is idiotic.