[smt88]

I would argue that the largest direct attack by one major power against another major power since WWII was Russia hacking/interfering in US elections, and that's an example of soft power.

I'd honestly rather have sabre rattling, because at least it's in the open and subject to popular scrutiny.

[jacquesc]

You mention the upside of sabre rattling. The downside is it tends to result in people getting killed.

[smt88]

And election meddling doesn't? It's not as direct, but it happens.

Also, as I alluded above, sabre-rattling hasn't resulted in armed conflict between superpowers since nuclearization.