Although such a long-range attack on a state far from the centre of the Empire may seem extraordinary (the last time the Empire had attempted anything on this scale was the failed invasion of Sicily over one hundred and twenty years earlier), it can be explained in terms of Manuel's foreign policy, which was to use the Latins to ensure the survival of the Empire.
Selv om et angreb så langt fra rigets centrum kan synes overraskende (sidste gang riget havde forsøgt noget i dette omfang var ved den fejlslagne invasion af Sicilien over 120 år tidligere), kan det forklares ud fra Manuels udenrigspolitik, som gik ud på at anvende latinerne til at sikre rigets overlevelse.