Question

What was the role of brinkmanship in eisenhower's foreign policy? why was it controversial?

Answer 1

Brinkmanship was a policy meant to actively oppose communism in foreign policy.  It was controversial because it heightened the tensions of the Cold War.

Context/detail:

John Foster Dulles was Secretary of State under President Eisenhower.  He held the office from 1953 to 1959.  He wanted a change from what had been the "containment policy" which the US had followed during the Truman Administration, as recommended then by American diplomat George F. Kennan.   Dulles felt the containment approach put the United States in a weak position, because it only was reactive, trying to contain  communist aggression when it occurred.

Dulles sought to push America's policy in a more active direction; some have labeled his approach "brinkmanship."  In an article in LIFE magazine in 1956, Dulles said, "The ability to get to the verge without getting into the war is the necessary art."  He wasn't afraid to threaten massive retaliation against communist enemy countries as a way of intimidating them.

Answer 2

The "brinkmanship" in the foreign policy, came out to be the last resort to turn out all the events in America's favor. The Foreign Policy Adviser of President Eisenhower, John Foster Dulles gave his word to the China and North Korea that they have to sign the Korean Armistice Agreement if not the US will release an atomic bomb to fight them. China and North Korea did sign the agreement. 

This has been controversial because of the hasty decisions to resort on massive retaliation and have immediate solutions of end  the wars.