Cowboy diplomacy is a term used by critics to describe the resolution of international conflicts through brash risk-taking, intimidation, military deployment, or a combination of such tactics. It is criticized as stemming from an overly-simple, dichotomous world view. Overtly provocative phraseology typically centralizes the message, such as George W. Bush's "You're either with us or you're with the terrorists."

One of the earliest known applications of the term was in 1902, when it was used by the American press to describe U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policies. Roosevelt had at the time summarized his approach to international diplomacy as "Speak softly and carry a big stick", an adage that was engraved on a bronze plaque on Donald Rumsfeld's office desk in the Pentagon and has set the modern precedent.

The term has since also been applied to the presidential administrations of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.

See also:

• Arts: Literature: Genres: Western (69)
• Arts: Online Writing: Poetry: Genres and Subjects: Cowboy (2)
• Society: People: Cowboys (100)

• Baxter Black
  baxterblack.com
  Includes links to radio commentary and reading of syndicated column, a catalog of books, videos and audio cassettes and listing of itinerary.
• Echo Canyon Poetry
  jolynne.freeservers.com
  Poetry, short essays, and western art by Utah cowboy poet, Jo Lynne Kirkwood.
• Cowboy Poets Society
  cowboyrudy.com
  Organization, names and images of members, shows, information on cowboy entertainment, contacts.