Alfred wouldn't deny that the contests between he and Ivan amused him, perhaps more than they ought to.
Pushing Ivan until the Russian was forced to concede for fear of starting a nuclear war with the American made Alfred laugh. Sure, a war was a big deal, and even he wouldn't push it that far for fear of the exact same thing as Ivan feared. It was a fear he and his people lived with daily, but it was worth it. If they just continued to push, they would be able to contain the communist influence through the act of containment.
Ivan snapped him to attention.
"Perhaps we could come to a simple agreement, like before?"
Alfred eyed Ivan over. Like before? Just because he gave in easy last time didn't mean he would this time. He wasn't desperate this time- Ivan was.
"None of your suggestions are going to work. I gave you our offer, and I stand by that."
He watched as the Russian's expression sunk a bit into a frown, but it was quickly covered up again by that horrifically eerie smile of his.
"If Mr. Jones is going to be like that, I am sure we will have no problem replacing our troops."
Alfred felt his spine go rigid.
"You do that and we'll have no option but to attack."
Ivan just smiled- he knew the threat was a bluff just as much as the American did.
"Then perhaps we can come up with a compromise?" Another compromise, just like all their arguments boiled down to. Every single one eventually came down to a compromise in which neither party is particularly satisfied.
Alfred's expression twisted into a scowl. He knew they would have to, just like they had repeatedly in the past couple of decades. Neither of them would dare attack, scared as they were of retaliation and the end of them both. However, both of them would dangle the threat of nuclear war above each other's heads, as was the art of brinkmanship.
AN: I needed an excuse to use this for a title, really. NSC-68 was the document, signed in the early 50s, that shaped American Cold War foreign policy, down to the concepts of containment and brinkmanship. Really, take a look at it. It's hysterical to read.