Comment: I thought I got to pick the topic...

Which I already did. No worries. I will cover both, at the top. But I REALLY have to get back to work so will respond to both later.

If you have time, in the meantime, take some time to understand how nations have interacted with each other through the years and how things have improved over time to stabilize.

The world of nations is in fact an anarchism. Rules, without a ruler. Disputes are managed, crimes punished, etc.

Pretend that the nations are people, and review the interactions. Mostly good, sometimes bad. Usually good resolutions to conflict, sometimes bad.

Sometimes there are bullies that try to dominate. They always run out of steam and get put down, and generally they all move towards more, not less cooperation.