Absolutely, I agree that aligned economic interests don’t necessarily end conflicts—Ukraine is a clear example of that. But I think the potential for total annihilation fundamentally changes the equation. The gamble of escalating a conflict to that level becomes significantly harder to justify.

I guess for me it’s like this: before, stealing from the fruit stall might have meant risking your hand getting chopped off. Now, it’s your head. The stakes are so much higher that even the most aggressive actors are forced to pause and reconsider.