"We are not at war with Egypt. We are in an armed conflict"

This quote by Anthony Eden is describing the Suez Crisis of 1956. At the time, the United Kingdom, France, and Israel were in a military dispute with Egypt over the control of the Suez Canal. Eden was trying to stress that the situation was not a major war, but rather an armed conflict. He was most likely trying to downplay the intensity of the scenario and prevent more escalation. This quote is likewise a pointer that war is not the only type of armed conflict. Even when two countries are not formally at war, they can still be in a state of armed dispute. This quote is a pointer that even in times of tension, it is necessary to stay level-headed and avoid escalating the situation.