Yes, many not-really in sync countries are a great protection there. And still not effective enough probably. In part there is a lot of group-think overall - w

Yes, many not-really in sync countries are a great protection there. And still not effective enough probably. In part there is a lot of group-think overall - which even separate countries have a hard time fighting, when they even notice it or have a will to fight it. For another problem, there are two countries with disproportionate population and economics weight - they cannot outright dictate with impunity but they are in a position to make everyone else negotiate and mostly agree with them.