What occurred after one country acted against another country?

When one country acts against another, it is often a reference to a conflict or military engagement. The term "attacked" directly signifies an aggressive action taken by one country towards another, typically involving the use of force or military strategy. This response aligns with scenarios where countries engage in hostilities, whether through an invasion, bombardment, or other forms of military combat.

In a broader context, while negotiation, forming alliances, or retreating are all valid actions that could follow certain diplomatic or military situations, they imply different circumstances. Negotiating involves discussions aimed at resolving conflicts, which could occur after an attack but is not a direct consequence of it. Forming an alliance suggests cooperation between countries, usually for mutual benefit, rather than direct aggression. Retreating indicates a withdrawal or pulling back from conflict, often as a response to a loss or a strategic decision, rather than an active measure against another country. Therefore, "attacked" best represents the immediate and direct consequence of one country making a hostile move against another.