Right for Preemptive Attack
However, to start the discussion of the effects of the US preemptive policies, it is necessary to consider the dispute that takes place among scholars regarding the very right for preemption, especially in the military sense of the word. The definitions of preemptive attacks and preemptive war differ but the common points in them can be summarized as follows: Preemptive attack and attack initiated on the basis of incontrovertible evidence that an enemy attack is imminent (Westphal, 2003, p. 2). Thus, the preemptive attack is a type of self-defense.
But, the latter is allowed by international law and Article 5 of the United Nations Charter only in case if the attack takes place. The UN admits self-defense as an inherent right of individual and collective self-defense if an armed attack occurs against a member of the United Nations until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security (Cullinan, 2002). Thus, opponents of the US preemptive policies claim the illegal
ity of the latter based on the fact that no attacks have been committed on the US, and accordingly, there is no need for self-defense.
Preemptive Policy History
Nevertheless, recent history presents examples of other countries using preemptive attacks to defend their citizens. The most notable examples include the Israeli attacks on the Iraqi nuclear bases in 98, the preemptive measures of the Israeli army against the Palestinian terrorist groups in 200, 2004, etc. Russia resorted to preemption in 994 in Chechnya as well (Westphal, 2003, p. 5). The recent examples of the US preemptive actions include the Iraq war and the invasion of Afghanistan that were labeled campaigns for protecting US citizens from terrorist threats abroad. Thus, although legal dispute about the right to preemption is still in progress, numerous countries exercise this right to protect their citizens and the positive effects of the US preemptive policies that such a right should be given to the countries.
Positive Effects of US Preemptive Policies
Fighting Terrorism