[rektide]

Money is one compelling form of power, sure. And one a regular citizen also sort of understands, albeit not at scale.

But being able to takeover ports, build bases, make claims on other nations is a way to extend sovereignty far outside your borders, that is power that sometimes yes will be used to make money. But sometimes there are indeed other more direct interests that need serving, that these debts will lever them access to.

Overall I think it's more harmful than useful to flatten the interests down to being all about money. States have other things they must also do & maintain, and not all of them are easily buyable.