<P> Brinkmanship is the ostensible escalation of threats to achieve one 's aims . The word was probably coined by Adlai Stevenson in his criticism of the philosophy described as `` going to the brink '' in an interview with Secretary of State John Foster Dulles under the Eisenhower administration , during the Cold War . In an article written in Life Magazine , John Foster Dulles then defined his policy of brinkmanship as `` The ability to get to the verge without getting into the war is the necessary art . '' During the Cold War , this was used as a policy by the United States to coerce the Soviet Union into backing down militarily . Eventually , the threats involved might become so huge as to be unmanageable at which point both sides are likely to back down . This was the case during the Cold War ; the escalation of threats of nuclear war , if carried out , are likely to lead to mutually assured destruction . </P>
<P> Brinkmanship is the ostensible escalation of threats to achieve one 's aims . The word was probably coined by Adlai Stevenson in his criticism of the philosophy described as `` going to the brink '' in an interview with Secretary of State John Foster Dulles under the Eisenhower administration , during the Cold War . In an article written in Life Magazine , John Foster Dulles then defined his policy of brinkmanship as `` The ability to get to the verge without getting into the war is the necessary art . '' During the Cold War , this was used as a policy by the United States to coerce the Soviet Union into backing down militarily . Eventually , the threats involved might become so huge as to be unmanageable at which point both sides are likely to back down . This was the case during the Cold War ; the escalation of threats of nuclear war , if carried out , are likely to lead to mutually assured destruction . </P>
who was known for his policy of massive retaliation and his approach to war called brinkmanship
who was known for his policy of massive retaliation and his approach to war called brinkmanship
Adlai Stevenson
Adlai Stevenson