1.A dam on the Blue Nile in Ethiopia is escalating tensions in the region.
escalate 加剧
Defeat could cause one side or other to escalate the conflict.
失败可能会导致其中一方将冲突升级
。2.There are fears that the filling of the dam could lead to armed conflict.
armed conflict 武装冲突
Armed conflict may break out at any moment.
武装冲突有一触即发之势 。