Gunboat diplomacy

Gunboat diplomacy is a strategy where a country uses its military power or threats—like deploying ships or imposing sanctions—to influence another nation's actions without direct conflict. It’s a way of demonstrating strength to persuade or pressure another country to agree to certain terms or policies, often implying that military force could be used if diplomacy fails. The term highlights the reliance on show of force as a bargaining tool in international relations, rather than open warfare.