> if a country can't defend itself with diplomacy then it is in a lot of trouble If you have a strong neighbor that wants to take something you have by force,

> if a country can't defend itself with diplomacy then it is in a lot of trouble If you have a strong neighbor that wants to take something you have by force, how do you get them to instead practice diplomacy with you? The only way I'm aware of is by projecting enough of your own strength that they think it might not be worth it to try and take by force. Military might is an arm of diplomacy.