Still, the prospect of wider war has receded, if only for a few days.

Nothing that would risk a wider war in the Balkans.

Nevertheless, the effects of the action on the wider war were hugely important.

Moscow's fear of being dragged into a wider war is not an idle one.

"The national security interest of the United States is to protect against a wider war in the region."

And given what else is happening in the region, the risk of a wider war is too big.

Moreover, the Israeli action could in fact trigger a wider war.

In this way, the threat of a wider war receded.

"So we risk a wider war as well," the president said.

Diplomats and military officials fear that the growing conflict could draw the region into a wider war.