WorldJuly 29, 2026
brinkmanship
BRINK-mun-ship
Definition
The practice of pushing a dangerous situation or confrontation to the very edge of conflict or disaster in order to force the other side to make concessions.
Etymology
The word is formed by combining the noun 'brink' (an edge or verge) with the suffix '-manship' (a skill or art, as in sportsmanship). It was coined in the mid-1950s to describe Cold War foreign policy strategies.
In the news
In this article, brinkmanship refers to the tense standoff between the United States and Iran following a ceasefire, where both sides engaged in risky maneuvers over access to the Strait of Hormuz to gain a strategic advantage.
2026 Iran war | Deal, Explained, United States, Israel, Strait of Hormuz, Map, & Conflict
Read the full article ↗Encyclopedia Britannica