border (between countries); national border
to touch; to come in contact with; to receive (e.g. visitor); to attend to; to receive (news); to get; to encounter
start of a war; beginning of hostilities
beginning; start; outset; at first; at the beginning; initially
so to speak; so to call it; as it were; in a sense
the big two ...; two major ...; two main ...
interval; period of time; among; between; good opportunity; chance
war; fighting; fierce competition
in the twinkling of an eye; in a flash
circumference; outskirts; environs; (computer) peripheral
leaping flames; flying sparks; spread of fire (due to leaping flames); repercussions in unanticipated areas; spilling over; impetigo contagiosa
(all) through (e.g. the night); throughout (e.g. the year); within (e.g. the week); in the course of (e.g. today); all over; throughout (e.g. the world)
to roll up; to enfold; to swallow up; to involve; to drag into
development; growth; development (of a situation, story, etc.); advancement; playing around (sexually; esp. of a male homosexual); having an active sex life
medium (size); average (grade, level, etc.); in; within; during; while; currently (doing)
countries; (various) nations
to spend all one's time doing; to do day in, day out; to do nothing but ...; to pass (of days)
so far; up to now; hitherto; that's enough (for today); it ends here
now advancing and now retreating; ebb and flow; seesawing; taking alternately favorable and unfavorable turns
offense and defense; offence and defence
to unfold; to unroll; to open
battle; war; fight (against time, poverty, etc.); struggle (for freedom, survival, etc.); contest; competition
to visit; to call on; to arrive (of a season, situation, etc.); to come; to appear
at (a time or place); in; in (a situation, matter, etc.); on (a point); on the part of; under the authority of
one's dearest wish; Buddha's vow to save humanity
biggest; greatest; largest; maximum
stronghold; fortress; strategic position; key position
to extol; to sing the praises of; to celebrate; to declare; to stipulate; to express
fort; stronghold; fortification
usurpation; taking back; dispossession
intimidation; threat; bluster
winning over; placation; gentle persuasion
surging waves; raging billows; turbulent; tempestuous; tumultuous
vassalization; vassalisation
to press forward; to forge ahead; to push on
noninvolvement; nonintervention; neutrality
absolutely; definitely; absolute; unconditional; absoluteness