psychology of war

country A and country B are enemies 

a general in the military of country B 

doesn't want to sacrifice his soldiers 

unless it's necessary for the survival of country B 

so if the general of country B 

hears rumors that country A has an extremely dangerous weapon 

then the general of country B 

will want to see that extremely dangerous weapon in action 

so that the general of country B 

will have reason to avoid a real war with country A 

and then country A and country B 

can continue to have fake wars with each other 

so the generals of every country that are enemies with country A 

will want to see that extremely dangerous weapon in action 

so that they will have reasons to avoid real wars with country A 

the extremely dangerous weapon of country A 

and the ability and willingness of country A 

to use that extremely dangerous weapon 

becomes the new constant 

around which all politics is based