English

Noun

gunboat diplomacy ‎(plural gunboat diplomacies)

1. (idiomatic) The pursuit of foreign policy objectives with the aid of conspicuous displays of military power.
   • 1956 Dec. 3, Acclaim & Misgivings, Time:

     The British and French, who had sought to make policy by reviving 19th century gunboat diplomacy, had temporarily lost their credentials for world statesmanship.

   • 2004 Feb, 21, Yan Hua, China warns Taiwan with military exercises, Asia Times Online (retrieved 23 March 2015):

     China has ratcheted up its standard gunboat diplomacy—the repeated warnings that it would use force if necessary to unite the island and mainland—more than a month before Taiwanese voters go to the polls.

See also

• sabre rattling
• show the flag