[mc32]

If it were me, I think we need to be able to fend off the largest rivals convincingly.

If Russia and China were to enter the fold and be good world citizens and share a common vision and cooperate, then yeah. We only need to be as strong as the combined strength of our nearest rivals.

[brlewis]

> We only need to be as strong as the combined strength of our nearest rivals.

Ah, so you want to cut the U.S. military budget in half, then? I guess we're on the same page.

[hutzlibu]

" We only need to be as strong as the combined strength of our nearest rivals. "

So eternal arms race then?

[mc32]

Nope, reciprocal disarmament.

[Macross8299]

Unviable from a game-theoretic standpoint. If someone chooses to break that reciprocity, what can you do about it now that you've disarmed? Literally nothing, you are in a weaker position than before.