Can you not understand why people will do whatever it takes to get a shot at controlling the largest amount of nuclear weapons, the reserve currency that powers the world economy, the most technologically advanced military in world history, the world's most influential fourth/fifth estate, massive trade flows between 180+ nations, and unlimited impunity with the power to pardon anyone in your inner circle?
It's the kind of power where, upon victory, you can erase how you won.