I see an alliance as a football(soccer) team. All players must play together, that way they will win. (Barcelona)
You can't say that only 1 player(in this case 1 country) is the only player.
Of course as in football there is some players which are better and more skilled(Messi) but still it's teamplay that is the winning way.
I see an alliance as an American Football team.You need only one big, strong player to destroy the enemies defences...