&gt; <i>why advocate for military protection of territory over diplomatic means</i><p>Because you are Vladimir Putin and your economic policies of cronyism have led to a general long-term economic decline (exacerbated by sanctions for things like invading Ukraine). You want your various media mouthpieces to play up a threat from competing powers; it will justify your actions to your countrymen, explain away your economic woes, and drive a wedge between them and people who advocate for political freedom.