Just because one side doesn't fight back, that doesn't mean violence will stop. It just means the agressor will attack unopposed. Saddam and Hitler met no opposition, and didn't halt their agression because of a lack of resistance. For that matter, Europe was willing to give Hitler Czecheslovakia, and he still continued on to Poland. The cycle of violence idea is a very flimsy argument against defending oneself, and to defend yourself, you need weapons, and scientists to develop them. After all, nations go to war for many more reasons than retaliating for past violence. That's why the best solution for violence is rarely negotiation. What bully ever stopped picking on the weak kids when they *didn't* fight back? Never worked for me.