Military PreemptionMargo Brozsek

PLS 101

What is Military Preemption?

Military preemption is a defensive military

policy that says that the United States of America will attack other nations that show a potential

threat to the security of the USA. Basically, if we see a threat, we

eliminate it first before it has a chance to

actually hurt anyone.

Does it Work?

In my opinion, short term military

preemption works. Long term it can but

often has dire consequences that need to be either

prevented or dealt with.

Effectiveness of Military Preemption

Short TermShort term if you have the upper hand and the ability to strike first, it is almost always successful in prevented the immediate threat.

Example:The Six-Day War, which began when

Israel launched a successful attack on Egypt on June 5, 1967, has been widely described as a

preemptive war and is, according to the United States State

Department, "perhaps the most cited example [successful example of preemption]."

Long TermLong term it is usually successful at

the start but the consequences of a military preemption are hard to

predict, prevent, and solve.

Example:The American invasion of Iraq in the

Iraq War for the purpose of preventing Iraq from developing nuclear, chemical, and biological warfare technologies after the

Bush doctrine. Yes we may have prevented another 9 11 on US

soil, but the consequences in the middle east are to no end. We got in and now there is no clean and

easy way out.

Should Military Preemption be part of U.S. Foreign Policy?

Military preemption has been a part of our history. Making it part of US Foreign Policy would be a

positive thing in one respect because aggressive nations like North Korea and Iran may think twice

before threatening the US and its citizens. I think to make military preemption part of our foreign policy,

we need to first be able to finish what we start. Many people speculate that the current situation in the

middle east will end up like the Vietnam war. Once we know how to deal with the consequences of using this military policy, I think it would be a good thing for this country and the world. I believe that other UN nations would follow as well. The real reason military preemption will eventually be part of our

foreign policy is because the wars today are wars on terrorism. The best way to win a war on terror is to

prevent it.