<P> Brinkmanship (also brinksmanship) is the practice of trying to achieve an advantageous outcome by pushing dangerous events to the brink of active conflict . It occurs in international politics, foreign policy, labour relations, and (in contemporary settings) military strategy involving the threat of nuclear weapons, and high - stakes litigation . </P> <P> This maneuver of pushing a situation with the opponent to the brink succeeds by forcing the opponent to back down and make concessions . This might be achieved through diplomatic maneuvers by creating the impression that one is willing to use extreme methods rather than concede . During the Cold War, the threat of nuclear force was often used as such an escalating measure . </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> <P> For brinkmanship to be effective, the sides continuously escalate their threats and actions . However, a threat is ineffective unless credible--at some point, an aggressive party may have to prove its commitment to action . </P>

Who was known for his policy of massive retaliation and his approach to war called brinkmanship