Sullivan's Ultimatum

Sullivan's Ultimatum is a strategic concept from international relations, suggesting that a country can succeed in negotiations by making a firm, clear warning or demand, known as an ultimatum, that forces the other party to choose between compliance or conflict. It emphasizes the importance of credibility; if the threat is believable and the demands reasonable, it can compel cooperation without actual conflict. Essentially, it's about using a decisive signal to influence the opponent’s decisions, encouraging peaceful resolution by demonstrating that the costs of non-compliance are unacceptable.