This is a common tactic, actually. The idea is that you create a credible threat by putting yourself in a situation that, if your adversary challenges you, you

This is a common tactic, actually. The idea is that you create a credible threat by putting yourself in a situation that, if your adversary challenges you, you have no choice but to respond. Burn the bridge behind you, as it were. The famous example is the US’ 10k troops in Berlin during the Cold War. If the USSR attacked, those troops were toast - and everyone knew it. But it meant that if the USSR took Berlin, it would be at the price of 10k American soldiers, and would inevitably lead to war. Even if that was the US’ calculation anyway, the Soviets wouldn’t know that for certain without the troops there.