I think it is less about the likelihood of a major conflict and more about the position of strength in negotiations to prevent a major conflict. Edit: Any majo

I think it is less about the likelihood of a major conflict and more about the position of strength in negotiations to prevent a major conflict. Edit: Any major military conflict would come at a large economic cost to both sides (which is why I agree it is pretty unlikely.) However there is an element of negotiating strength that comes when the economic costs to your side is relatively lower than the economic costs to the opposing side.