The concern is that a public accusation would result in an escalation.
U.S. Should Make North Korea Pay for Sony Hack|Gordon G. Chang|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A Clinton-like intervention to halt an escalation will be a tough act to follow.
ICYMI: India-Pakistan Head for Nuke War|Bruce Riedel|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In short, it had all the makings of a nuclear attack drill, part of an escalation in long-range Russian operations worldwide.
US & Russia Re-Arming for a New Cold War|Bill Sweetman|September 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A U.S. escalation of bombing in Iraq and Syria would send it soaring.
Stop the ISIS War Before It Gets Worse!|Jeffrey Sachs, Michael Shank|September 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The speed with which the escalation takes place is breathtaking.
Is America a Police State? For Many, Yes|Gene Robinson|September 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It's like an escalation in the arms race, and understandably, no one wants to disarm alone.
Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to 2006|Various
Many books were written about the escalation of hostility through the language of political and ideological discourse.
The Civilization of Illiteracy|Mihai Nadin
Words related to escalation
acceleration, increase, rise, growth
escalation
SEE SYNONYMS FOR escalation ON THESAURUS.COM
An increase in the intensity or geographical scope of a war or diplomatic confrontation. For example, during the Korean War, some Americans urged escalation of the war through bombing of the People's Republic of China.