What term is used to describe the act of bringing an international crisis to the brink of war?

The term used to describe the act of bringing an international crisis to the brink of war is brinkmanship. This strategy involves pushing a particular situation to the limits of confrontation, where the risk of conflict or war becomes significantly heightened, while still trying to avoid actual military engagement.

Brinkmanship was notably utilized during the Cold War, particularly in contexts like the Cuban Missile Crisis, where both sides engaged in a tense standoff, testing the resolve of the other without escalating to direct conflict. This concept relies on the belief that demonstrating a willingness to escalate tensions can compel the opposing party to retreat or make concessions.

In contrast, escalation refers more broadly to the process of increasing tensions or military presence, detente refers to a period of reduced hostility and improved relations, and negotiation involves discussions aimed at reaching an agreement to resolve disputes peacefully, which is fundamentally different from the aggressive stance implied by brinkmanship.