Definition
Graduated response procedures for increasing force levels in response to threats, calibrated to avoid unnecessary conflict escalation. It's 'use measured force unless they go too far, then adjust accordingly.'
Example Usage
The commander followed rules of escalation, starting with warnings before employing suppressive fire against the hostile crowd.
Origin
Formalized during Cold War to prevent accidental nuclear war through measured response protocols
Fun Fact
Rules of escalation are brilliant in theory but often fail in practice because determining what 'too far' means is difficult when people are actively shooting at you.
Source: Military rules of engagement and command authority
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