After the U2 incident, Eisenhower believed it was necessary to employ a policy of brinkmanship against

The U-2 incident occurred in 1960, when the Soviet Union shot down an American spy plane and captured its pilot. Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev confronted Eisenhower over the flight, worsening tensions between the superpowers. The policy of brinkmanship was directed against Khrushchev, so the correct choice is Nikita Khrushchev.

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