a horrible investment, esp. for a country of that size (geogr. & econ.)

“The utter stupid waste of war, not only material but moral and spiritual, is so staggering to those who have to endure it. And always was (despite the poets), and always will be (despite the propagandists)"

-JRR Tolkien

Tensions will grow as long as they help sell more weapons (and give a good cut for each national decision maker)