A long-term crisis has lasting effects on the people of countries that are involved in it. This manifests itself in a situation when every generation is taught to detest their opponents. Every side blames it on the other one, and this pattern continues over many decades, which inherently hinders any prospect of a reasonable dialogue between the two countries. During an acute crisis, people of the nations often do not even know about the fact that there is any conflict between their countries. Yet, even if they do, there are usually no lasting negative attitudes towards the other side, which could pass onto the next generations.
A long-term crisis claims more victims than an acute one since there is constantly a tense situation between the two nations, which implies certain military actions targeted against the people of the countries. Nevertheless, even during peaceful times, there can be occasional terrorist attacks and military raids, which can cause the deaths of hundreds of people, and when it lasts for several decades, the death toll grows even bigger. In the case of an acute crisis, countries often do not take any active military measures, and as a result, no people get hurt. Although some situations during an acute crisis may cause deaths, their total number is much smaller compared to the number of victims of a long-term crisis.
A long-term crisis is more likely to lead to a full-fledged war than an acute one since countries involved in it are always ready to start it and only need a substantial premise for it. A crisis that lasts several decades indicates the fact that countries wait for each other to commit an act of aggression which would be considered unacceptable by the international community. This will help the alleged victim justify military actions against their opponents and thus become the side that participates in the war with a noble goal to defend itself. An acute crisis has a tendency to resolve in a short period of time, and usually, countries involved in it have too much at stake to enter a war.