What was the name of Nixon and Kissinger's strategy to exploit rivalries among nations for US advantages?

• A. Detente
• B. Containment
• C. Triangular Diplomacy
• D. Brinkmanship

Answer: (C)

Triangular diplomacy is the idea of using rivalries among major powers to gain bargaining leverage for the United States. Nixon and Kissinger put this into practice by balancing relationships with China and the Soviet Union: opening to China to pull Beijing away from Moscow, while pursuing arms control talks with the USSR to gain concessions. This three-way approach gave the U.S. more options and influence than a simple two-sided relationship, shaping how Cold War tensions were managed. Detente aims to ease tensions with rivals, containment focuses on preventing the spread of communism, and brinkmanship involves pushing a crisis to the edge; triangular diplomacy specifically centers on exploiting rivalries among powers to advance U.S. interests.