Coalition warfare and persuading the Klingons

Even when retaking Deep Space Nine offers a compelling strategic payoff, the Klingon chancellor fears leaving the Empire exposed. Starfleet had made a similar calculation about weakening Earth's defence, showing that both allies must accept risk elsewhere to concentrate at the decisive point. Martok's solution is to approach the chancellor with both an ally and a former enemy making the same case, surrounding the political objection from two directions. The exchange distinguishes a sound operational objective from the political willingness required to resource it. A coalition commander cannot treat another power's ships as automatically available, however urgent the plan.