Well, the neighbor beats his wife, so I might as well beat mine. What kind of logic is that? We don't necessarily need to match lock-step with terrible regime

Well, the neighbor beats his wife, so I might as well beat mine. What kind of logic is that? We don't necessarily need to match lock-step with terrible regimes to ensure our own security, and our own security is the only argument for matching them in the military field. For example, if someone else uses gas or landmines, we can use masks and airplanes to defeat them, without having to resort to those things that can't pick their targets, and remain on the field, where children play, decades after the war ends.