Summary
- The United States must avoid issuing “blank cheques” to allies, as seen in the historical parallel of Germany’s support for Austria-Hungary leading to World War I.
- Recent events between the US, Israel, and Lebanon highlight the risks of miscommunication and unchecked escalation.
- The role of alliances can inadvertently automate escalation rather than deter aggression.
- American support should be conditional, not unconditional, especially in situations where allies take offensive actions without coordination.