Europe Should Play Dirty

Europe’s legalism and commitment to rules (courts, asset‑protections, proceduralism) can be exploited by revisionist powers; treating the Russia conflict as an iterated prisoner’s dilemma suggests Europe should reciprocate rule‑breaking or use unconventional pressure to remove incentives for aggression. This reframes deterrence as strategic reciprocity, not merely moral high ground. — If adopted, this shift would change sanctions enforcement, asset‑seizure policy, legal strategy, and Western coalition behavior — with big consequences for international law, escalation risk, and domestic politics across Europe.