Not what I was taught. Every threat must be met with overwhelming force and the counter attack continued with overwhelming force until you have destroyed not only your opponents ability to continue the fight but also his will to continue or resume it.
If someone comes at you with a knife and you have a gun, you don't pull a knife and wait for them to escalate. You pull your gun and shoot them. No brandishing, no threats, no warning shots. You neutralize the threat as quickly and completely as possible.
In my opinion.
Like Indiana Jones!
I’m talking politics... not combat. Why hasn’t trump released declas yet? Because the time is not right. Going nuclear is not always the best solution especially if you’re trying to keep most of the society intact.