It is perspective. Proposed rules.

Rule One - Do not choose your fights in a manner which causes more problems than it solves. (The Palestinian suicide bombers may be an example of this.)

Rule Two - Work with "duplicitous, double dealing, back stabbing" allies, such as the US. Ask the Hungarians, Kurds and other Iraqi resistance organizations about US "honor". The USSR which the US armed in WWII is the same USSR which the US later said was corrupt, cruel, and evil. Same one. We may need Saudi Arabia.

Rule Three - Do not cause yourself more problems than you solve. (Needs to be mentioned again.) Choose your methods. For instance, haphazard "friendly fire" incidents creates enemies. People may not show it at the time, and it creates enemies. A country might learn from Mao Tse Tung and Ho Chi Minh.

Rule Four - Make as many friends as you can.

Arf