Just War and Preemption: Strategic Legitimacies
Abstract
This paper studies the use of preemption and its implications for recent history. The study shows the role of preemption and its place in international law from its standing as a customary law to one that is governed by charters and treaties. Through the use of definitions and historical examples, both legitimate and illegitimate acts are examined. The paper initially focuses on background information regarding international law, and then moves into discussions of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, and the Osirak Nuclear Facility Raid. These events lead to a discussion of the United States' current operations in Iraq. An examination of the strategic implications of U.S. actions, both leading up to and subsequent to the invasion of Iraq, are undertaken, and the opinions of U.S. allies and scholars are considered. The possible consequences of the actions of the United States also are addressed. This discussion focuses mainly on the perceptions of the United States by both allies and non-allies, and how these perceptions will guide them in the future. While this treatise does not pretend to offer solutions to all of these issues, it will enhance one's understanding of the United States as the only superpower able to provide leadership and guidance to the global community. The actions of the United States will shape the way the world understands and applies preemptive war in the years to come.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 19, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA431803
Entities
People
- Lawrence O. Dahl
Organizations
- United States Army War College