Doing Politics

Obama’s “red lines” metaphor nearly triggered a military intervention in Syria in the summer of 2013. This chapter questions the work that metaphor does in shaping understandings and conduct in international affairs. The term is used by political leaders to express likely behavioural consequences to international rivals and allies and to domestic publics. We explore what difference in diplomatic practice it makes to speak of a line, and a red one, as well as how such metaphors trigger or sustain