Mr. Barak was considered reluctant to order a harsh military response that could further escalate the violence, cause more Israeli casualties and jeopardize the fragile Israeli-Syrian negotiations.
Mr. Abe, who came to power in December, has said he might place government officials on the islands, which could further escalate the confrontation with China.
"We call for calm and prudent action by China in order not to further escalate the situation," Shikata said, adding that the investigation into the collision was legally, not politically, motivated.
"The emergence of tit-for-tat retaliatory attacks between ZANU-PF and M.D.C. supporters could further escalate the violence putting the general population at greater risk," the human rights group said.
Clark M. Clifford, the urbane advisor to four Democratic presidents, became Lyndon B. Johnson's secretary of defense in early 1968 as Johnson deliberated whether to further escalate the war in Vietnam.
"The secretary made clear that if such reports were accurate, these actions could further escalate the conflict, lead to greater loss of innocent life, increase refugee flows and risk confrontation with the [anti-Islamic State] coalition operating in Syria," the State Department said on Saturday.
If Putin's recalcitrance grows – and if he further escalates the crisis – then that pressure can be ratcheted up.
On Wednesday, after staying silent on the matter, Representative Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri, the House Democratic leader, entered the fray, further escalating the strain.
On Tuesday Mr. Hevesi further escalated the fight, releasing a television ad attacking Mr. Giuliani and The Post. "Rudy's at it again," the ad says.
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department is expected to sue North Carolina on Monday over its restrictive new voting law, further escalating the Obama administration's efforts to restore a stronger federal role in protecting minority voters after the Supreme Court struck down part of the Voting Rights Act, according to a person familiar with the department's plans.
"Further escalating the situation will put the entire region at risk," he said.
