The coastal-defence argument extends into a warning about peacetime force planning. Years without a peer threat can encourage democracies to treat self-defence through alliance assumptions rather than as an independent requirement. That mindset can leave force structure and procurement poorly matched to the cost-imposing systems a major war would demand. Successful wartime assaults do not prove those systems lacked value, because attackers selected objectives and assembled enough power to expect victory.
Notable Point · 14:43-15:38
Peacetime planning can mistake imperfect protection for no value
Long periods without a peer threat can make democracies undervalue systems that impose costs without offering absolute protection.