`  === An idea about ``alliance`` === , thinking back to the ``assurance vs guarantees`` point, we might have a similar problem about the notion of alliance. From what you write, I gather that you understand ``ally`` as ``fighting together`` (you would not say that the USA and UK were allies in 1940, am I correct?); on the other hand, I understand ``ally`` as ``part of a legal contract between two nations`` (and since nothing indicates that such a contract was broken before the 3rd of July 1940, I regard France and the UK as allies at this point even though France had signed armistices with Italy and Germany).  Maybe we could find a wording that would satisfy everybody by giving a few more details. I would suggest qualifying France of ``defeated ally`` or ``powerless ally``, but of course I am starting from the alliance-as-legal-contract point of view. Is there a formulation that springs to your mind?   `