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International Relations & Diplomacy vocabulary · Conflict & Security

Escalation

Meaning in international relations & diplomacy, with examples

/ˌeskəˈleɪʃən/nounCommon term

In international relations & diplomacy, escalation means: An increase in the intensity, size or danger of a conflict or crisis, for example when one side's action leads the other to respond more strongly.

In Turkish: tırmanma, gerilimin tırmanması

How it is used

Common in security analysis and news: 'risk of escalation', 'further escalation', 'escalation spiral'. The verb is 'escalate'. Diplomats call for 'de-escalation' and 'restraint' to reduce tension.

Example sentences

  1. Both sides said they wanted to avoid any further escalation.

  2. Analysts warn of the risk of escalation along the border.

  3. The hotline was set up to prevent accidental escalation.

Common collocations

  • risk of escalation
  • further escalation
  • avoid escalation
  • de-escalation
  • escalation spiral
  • conflictA serious disagreement or struggle between states or groups, ranging from a political dispute to armed violence; in IR it often means armed conflict.
  • deterrenceThe strategy of preventing an attack by making a possible attacker believe that the costs, such as a strong response, would be greater than any gain.
  • confidence-building measuresPractical steps that states take to reduce mistrust and the risk of misunderstanding, such as sharing information, giving notice of military exercises or setting up hotlines.
  • ceasefireAn agreement between the sides in an armed conflict to stop fighting, either for a limited time or as a first step towards a lasting peace.
  • red lineA limit that a government says must not be crossed, often with a warning that crossing it will lead to a serious response.

More terms: Conflict & Security

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