To Play Both Ends Against the Middle: Feigned Weakness

• In Event: Alliance, Deterrence and Conflict

Brief Overview

This model examines how state A manipulates ally B to weaken their rival C. A fakes weakness, leading C to shift focus to B. As B and C weaken each other, A exploits the situation. This challenges the traditional view of alliances as beneficial.

Authors

• Jidong Chen, Tsinghua University

• Emerson Niou, Duke University