Interdependence does tend to promote peace, but only up to a point. Past that point it becomes a weapon, as anyone who has been anywhere near a messy divorce ha

Interdependence does tend to promote peace, but only up to a point. Past that point it becomes a weapon, as anyone who has been anywhere near a messy divorce has seen. Imperialist Russians clearly knew this, but apparently only saw the offensive angle. (At least, they either didn't see or discounted the risks to their own exposure, or they would have held reserves elsewhere.)