Nation-states are not people. Nations have (temporary and shifting) alliances based on common shared interests -- not love. Japan is a great ally. I lived ther

Nation-states are not people. Nations have (temporary and shifting) alliances based on common shared interests -- not love. Japan is a great ally. I lived there for over a decade, and I can say that I love the Japanese people. But I will admit - and their people of the WWII generation would too (although - sadly they are (have been) passing too quickly), it took a solid kick in the teeth to get them to calm down and cooperate. Sometimes, with intense nation-state disagreement, things are settled at the point of a gun. Where there is a winner and a loser. I like diplomacy as much (or more) than the next guy ... but it is irresponsible for a nation to be unprepared for when that doesn't work. N.B. Fighting back after Pearl Harbor is a different kettle of fish than exporting democracy by force. We have no business doing the latter. It's obscene. EDIT: I didn't downvote you. I appreciated your take on the query posed.