International Claims to Anticipatory Self Defense: A Juridical Analysis.
Abstract
On December 24, 1979, the Soviet Union commenced massive troop movements into the neighboring state of Afghanistan. Besides invoking the obligatory explanation that the troops had been 'invited' or 'requested' by the true Afghan government, the Soviet Union further maintained that its actions were justified by the fact that it could 'not allow Afghanistan's being turned into a bridgehead for preparation of imperialist aggression against the Soviet Union.' It is difficult to interpret this statement as anything but a claim to a right of self-defense extending beyond its borders into the territory of another sovereign state. On June 7, 1981, the Israeli air force excuted an aerial attack on the Osirak nuclear reactor site of the non-neighboring state of Iraq, after approaching through the airspace of Saudi Arabia (and perhaps Jordan). In announcing the completion of the attack, the Israeli prime minister, Menachem Begin, declared the attack to have been conducted as an act in 'supreme, legitimate self-defense.' (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA110737
Entities
People
- John R. Henriksen
Organizations
- George Washington University