Related by context. Frequent words. (Click for all words.) 33 escalation 31 escalate 26 bloodshed 26 confrontation 26 provocation 26 escalates 26 erupt 26 provoke 25 exacerbate 25 escalating 25 aggravate 25 provoking 24 erupts 23 cry 23 provoked 23 flare 22 persists 22 quell 22 violence 22 stoke 22 overreaction 21 simmering 21 provocations 21 overreact 20 incite 20 escalated 20 heighten 20 hesitate 20 instability 20 mar 20 trigger 20 inflamed 20 prompt 20 creeping 19 instigate 19 retaliate 19 erupting 19 tolerate 18 indulgent 18 restrain 18 counter productive 18 worsens 18 inflame 18 civilian casualties 18 unrest 18 destabilization 18 defuse 18 worsening 18 worsen 18 war 18 spike 18 polarization 17 stoking 17 preemptive 17 bleed 17 explode 17 interrupt 17 ratchet 17 rages 17 intensifies 17 retaliatory 17 unabated 17 backfire 17 ensues 17 exacerbated 16 exacerbating 16 hardening 16 unjustified 16 flashpoint 16 fueling 16 subside 16 ensue 16 intensification 16 spiraling 16 conflict 16 avert 16 wars 16 deflate 16 depress 16 creep 15 deteriorates 15 destabilizing 15 forestall 15 abating 15 flared 15 degenerated 15 cessation 15 stir 15 embolden 15 ratcheting 15 spiral 15 intervene 15 subsided 15 erupted 15 politicize 14 triggering 14 negatively affect 14 frighten 14 spiking 14 discourage 14 deepens