expression, noun
hot war
Refers to an active, armed conflict, as opposed to a cold war. Often used in contrast with 冷たい戦争.
See also: 冷たい戦争
冷戦が終わっても、熱い戦争の危険は消えていない。
Even though the Cold War ended, the danger of a hot war has not disappeared.
冷たい戦争 means 'cold war', referring to a state of political hostility without direct military conflict, while 熱い戦争 is an actual armed conflict.
Compound of 熱い (hot) and 戦争 (war), likely a calque from English 'hot war', formed in contrast to 冷たい戦争 (cold war).