A system based on patronage works only if the patron accepts certain responsibilities.
The US-Israeli war against Iran is forcing a new look at the nature and limits of alliances in the 21st century.
In the second half of the 20th century, international politics rested on a relatively simple logic. The world was divided into blocs. Strong powers offered protection; weaker states offered loyalty. Security guarantees were exchanged for political alignment. This patron-client system formed the backbone of Cold War geopolitics.
Even after the Cold War ended, the structure largely survived. The ideological clarity faded, but the institutional habits…
Read the full article at RT.COM
