The monarch earned this nickname, because, during his reign from 1881 to 1894, the Russian Empire did not wage a single war. However, it faced many foreign policy challenges: worsening relations with Germany, confrontation with Austria-Hungary in the Balkans and the ‘Great Game’ with Great Britain for influence in Central Asia. This was largely due to the measured and cautious approach of Alexander and his long-time foreign minister, Nikolai Girs, their commitment to dialogue and compromise with other powers. At the same time, they firmly defended the country's national interests and refused to make concessions that could harm them. One of the most dangerous episodes during Alexander III's reign was the border conflict with the Emirate of Afghanistan on the Kushka River in 1885.