[QUOTE=Rick Lee;4055886]
Quote:
Originally Posted by alf
In other words, appease them and hope they turn on you last.
|
Not exactly. The British were good at this when they colonized most of the world. They let the various factions fight among themselves and weaken overall, stand in the periphery, watch and control from afar if necessary, when they are weaked enough then come in an take the spoils. The ME was kind of like this till a western power invaded and focused their efforts. Africa is like this now to some extent.
I believe Saddam's Iraq actually kept Iran in check quite well. But that is a whole other topic.
Added: This strategy would not have worked for Japan in WW2, they were unified in their war efforts.