| Answer | Crossword Clue |
|---|---|
| RISE | Escalation |
| HIKE | Escalation |
| SURGE | Troop escalation |
| MELEE | Shoving match escalation |
| ARMSRACE | Superpowers' weapons escalation |
| MELEE | Pushing and shoving escalation |
| TRADEWAR | Escalation of retaliatory tariffs |
| DETENTES | Periods of de-escalation, perhaps |
