As I’ve said elsewhere, the galaxy is in Cold War type situation at the beginning. The Resistance is fighting the good fight, and the Republic is looking the other way, yet supporting them in secret. (Yes, it’s the worst kept secret in the galaxy, but that’s politics for you.) As that sure looked like Coruscant getting vaporized, things have changed drastically.
It’s a good answer, and it goes some way to making sense of it all, so thanks.
But why would they look the other way? The Galactic Empire was awful, whole systems celebrated when it was overthrown. Wouldn’t everybody want to stop the First Order before history repeats itself.
And I don’t mean stop them by supporting a small band of rebels/resistance. I mean go at them, full pelt, and STOP THEM.