‘I will do such things…what they are, yet I know not; but they shall be the terrors of the earth’ (Theresa May/King Lear Act 2 Scene 4)
It’s often said that the only way to deal with bullies is to stand up to them and give them a taste of their own medicine. I tried this just once at school and, guess what, the bully was bigger and stronger than me, I came off worst and was bullied even more. Lesson learned; discretion etc.
Another thought. WW1 started when someone nobody had ever heard of was assassinated by someone no-one remembers who was supported by Russia. We were on Russia’s side then; it still didn’t end well for anyone.