Max Fisher explains that if even one country escalates a war, it forces other sides to fight at the top of that scale, a phenomenon called "escalation dynamics."

“The concept of "escalation dynamics" is well-established in international relations and conflict studies. It describes how conflicts intensify, often in a reciprocal manner, where one party's actions lead to a more severe reaction from the other. Sources like the RAND Corporation and academic articles describe this as a potential spiral where parties increase the intensity or scope of a conflict, sometimes beyond their original intentions. This process is driven by action-reaction cycles, where each side feels compelled to respond to the other's moves to avoid defeat or gain an advantage. Context: Escalation is not always automatic or uncontrolled. It can be a deliberate strategic tool to signal resolve or achieve a specific objective. However, it also carries the significant risk of unintended consequences, where the conflict spirals into a more destructive war than any party initially wanted.”