> It is similar to the logic of nations desiring peace but having an armed force for defense.

The whole point of having a strong defense force is to have peace. People don't start wars with a strong opponent, only a weak one.

Proxy wars are a wrinkle in this logic whereby strong belligerents pick their battles so that they have plausible deniability; deniable wins and losses, deniable assets and capital, deniable aims and goals. Deceit and détente have a fractious relationship, but often serve complementary purposes - managing perception of reality and control of time and space via control of individuals and groups.

The personal is political. Weak sides challenge stronger opponents all the time, just usually not militarily. By situating yourself in opposition to power structures, you may reframe the debate and win it on its merits in the minds of the public, thus causing friction when status quo attempts to reassert itself.

Defense forces in some places serve in other defense capacities outside of military conflict. I would say they are quite desirable even in places you mentioned