Like a room full of mousetraps, the world lay ready for war. Ironically, the global hyper-readiness prevented anyone from acting. If New Sinai were to knock out Paris (as they had been threatening to do), then Italy would destroy New Sinai. Rome would then be thrashed by Iraq. Italy would retaliate, prompting viscious attacks from Iraq and Palestine. Greece would destroy Palestine, then Turkey would atomize Athens.

Although the structure appeared rickety, it was actually very strong. Greece was safe only as long as retaliation from Italy was assured. And why wouldn't it be? If Italy wavered in its support of Greece, then someone might try and dust Greece, which would set off a chain reaction that would eventually obligate someone to destroy France, and since Italy is France's ally, they might try to get Italy at the same time.

And so the Italian foreign minister went on television daily to proclaim Italy's strong alliance with Greece and France, an alliance so strong that it would last forever.

Or until Rome was a crater, whichever came first.