I agree. It is simplistic. But, in my opinion, not overly so. Your use of terms like "more suited to a schoolyard than a highly charged international situation" is demeaning, and intentionally so, IMO. You want there to be a "certain finesse". Finesse what? This is not bridge, Sue. And it is not a schoolyard. And it is not about having 'bigger sticks'. It is about having equally destructive weapons and letting an aggressive nation know that it will lose more than it can hope to gain. And that's just my opinion. Also, I probably have read as many books as you, and if you continue to be rude, which is what you are being, I will be rude back. Otherwise, we can agree to disagree and move on from there. OK?