GATE: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri

[Ryllharu]

So we can stop pretending that this anime is even trying to depict semi-realistic international relations? Because that´s not how you do it.

If Russia had an American in prison, the US wouldn´t start an attack against Russia. Because that would mean war. They´d start negotiations, make an official complaint and proceed.

Again, all of this only slightly so works because of the enormous power imbalance.

No shit.

This is exactly how the real world works. Don't try to pretend that Pina's country is to Russia as Japan is to the US. They got stomped in their first full incursion, and obliterated when Japan retaliated. Guess who that's like? Countries/forces in the Middle East.

The US doesn't pay for hostages. At best they trade them (which the JSDF in this series has been doing). But if they are engaged in operations in the region, they simply take them back by force. All the time.

If the Taliban had an American (or Japanese, or British, or Australian, or random NGO) in captivity, the US would attack the Taliban, assault the compound, take the hostage, and kill everyone inside.

Stop pretending this is a fight between 1st and 2nd World powers. It's a 1st world nation attacking a backwater 3rd world nation. And their magic doesn't mean shit. They tried it already with dragons and shit. Artillery and anti-aircraft weapons tore through them. Mages would get killed via sniper fire, the series has already shown Japan's sniper teams to be rather competent.

[MFauli]

If the Taliban had an American (or Japanese, or British, or Australian, or random NGO) in captivity, the US would attack the Taliban, assault the compound, take the hostage, and kill everyone inside.

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If the Taliban had American hostages, the US would first try to negotiate (not to the fullest, of Course), but they wouldn´t instantly attack, because that would endanger the hostages all the more.

@David: I would love for something like that come true