US policymakers reacted in shock over what they denounced as Japan's unprovoked attack [on Pearl Harbor]. For being so starkly surprised, however, they had no one to blame but themselves. Had they taken an afternoon to read Thucydides and to think about the consequences of Athen's Megarian Decree, or reflect on Britain's efforts to contain the rise of Germany in the decade after 1914, they could have better anticipated Japan's initiative...
- Graham Allison, Destined For War
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