acts of provocation; tricks(когда лучше избегать оттенок агрессивности, присущее в слове "provocation", напр.: "Все, что говорят противники – это провокации лоббистов." "Everything our opponents say is just lobbyists' tricks." avoran)
red rag to a bull(Something that will cause an angry or violent reaction. A red rag to a bull is something – perhaps a comment or a criticism – intended to deliberately provoke someone else into reacting negatively. Kireger54781)
bait("Why is the Capilano Rd between Marine Drive and Welch in such a bad condition? I drive that chunk of Cap Road almost every day and it's in a horrible condition, so many potholes. Drivers are going the wrong way all the time to try to dodge the holes. It's especially bad during rain and night. You guys have any idea why this hasn't been fixed yet?" "Is this bait?" "Nope. I asked because all the roads nearby are in great condition and I never understand what happens in that section." "That section is on the reserve, and the Squamish Nation has the jurisdiction for repairs." (Reddit)ART Vancouver)
false-flag operation(для создания повода для нападения и т. п. • The suspicious events surrounding these bombings lead many researches to conclude that they were false flag operations perpetrated by the FSB, the successor of the Committee for State Security (KGB), as an excuse to resume military activities in Chechnya and bring Vladimir Putin and the FSB to power.theguardian.com • Litvinenko, who authored a book which contained information describing the apartment bombings as false flag operations, would eventually die of radiation sickness. • At the same time, the Russian destabilization campaign has begun, the official said, with Russia accusing Ukraine of genocide in Donbas, conducting false flag operations, and more. • Boris Johnson has claimed the shelling of a nursery school in the Donbas region of Ukraine by Russian-backed separatists was a “false-flag operation” aimed at discrediting the Ukrainian government.)
them's fightin' words(a way of saying that someone's words are insulting or provocative and are likely to lead to a fight or quarrel; often used homorously Tiny Tony)
theguardian.com • Litvinenko, who authored a book which contained information describing the apartment bombings as false flag operations, would eventually die of radiation sickness. • At the same time, the Russian destabilization campaign has begun, the official said, with Russia accusing Ukraine of genocide in Donbas, conducting false flag operations, and more. • Boris Johnson has claimed the shelling of a nursery school in the Donbas region of Ukraine by Russian-backed separatists was a “false-flag operation” aimed at discrediting the Ukrainian government.)