Related by context. Frequent words. (Click for all words.) 57 inflaming 49 escalating tensions 49 provoking 47 stoking 47 ease tensions 47 tensions 47 antagonizing 47 destabilizing 46 angering 46 fomenting 46 heightened tension 46 heightened tensions 45 inflame 45 defuse tensions 45 alienating 45 destabilize 42 confrontation 42 diplomatic spat 42 bloodshed 42 ethnic tensions 41 foment 41 provocation 40 alienate 40 exacerbating 40 marginalizing 40 inciting 40 antagonize 40 undermining 39 emboldening 39 provoke 39 marginalize 39 confrontations 39 inciting violence 39 provocations 39 stoke 38 simmering tensions 38 unrest 38 destabilization 38 arming 37 saber rattling 37 territorial dispute 37 clashes 37 disaffection 37 violent clashes 37 antagonism 37 rift 37 tension 36 reprisals 36 dividing 36 escalation 36 demonizing 36 disputed islands 36 undercutting 36 escalate 36 instigating 36 jeopardizing 36 torpedoing 36 meddling 36 rapprochement 36 undermine 36 standoff 36 incite 36 fanning 36 radicalize 36 violent confrontations 36 aggravate 36 discord 36 territorial disputes 36 Tensions 36 civilian casualties 35 ratcheting 35 tarnishing 35 Tehran denies 35 polarize 35 incite violence 35 sectarian tensions 35 reigniting 35 sectarian clashes 35 hardliners 35 persecuting 35 disunity 35 legitimizing 35 sparking 35 backlash 35 inflammatory rhetoric 35 politicizing 35 fueling 35 tense standoff 35 frictions 35 animosity 35 simmering 35 roil 35 friction 35 escalating 34 stoking fears 34 flashpoint 34 harming 34 downplaying 34 escalated 34 reprisal attacks 34 retaliation