Agreed, when countries become great powers, there always the temptation to disregard & flout rules & laws, like in the past. The major culprits were Nazi Germany, the former USSR , & former Imperial Japan. They all lost badly. However, Germany, Japan have changed and are now democratic countries, while Russia is semi-democratic. A best solution now would be for countries to negotiate wisely without being antagonistic to each other; and compromise or get an impartial arbiter like the UN. Aim for an amiable/acceptable solution to the satisfaction of parties (big or small) concerned - give and take attitudes.