Title: Striking first : preemption and prevention in international conflict /
Authors: Doyle, Michael W., 1948-; Macedo, Stephen, 1957-
Publisher: Princeton University Press,
Year: 2008
Subjects: Intervention (International law); Sanctions (International law); Preemptive attack (Military science); War (International law) Philosophy.; National security United States
Abstract: "In Striking First, Michael Doyle shows how the Bush Doctrine has consistently disregarded a vital distinction in international law between acts of preemption in the face of imminent threats and those of prevention in the face of the growing offensive capability of an enemy. Taking a close look at the Iraq war, the 1998 attack against al Qaeda in Afghanistan, and the Cuban Missile Crisis, among other conflicts, he contends that international law must rely more completely on United Nations Charter procedures and develop better standards for dealing with serious threats. After explaining how the UN can again play an important role in enforcing international law and strengthening international guidelines for responding to threats, he describes the rare circumstances when unilateral action is indeed necessary. Based on the 2006 Tanner Lectures at Princeton University, Striking First includes responses by distinguished political theorists Richard Tuck and Jeffrey McMahan and international law scholar Harold Koh, yielding a lively debate that will redefine how - and for what reasons - tomorrow's wars are fought."--Jacket.
Contents: Introduction / Stephen Macedo -- Striking first / Michael W. Doyle -- International law and current standards -- Standards -- Comment / Harold Hongju Koh -- Comment / Richard Tuck -- Comment / Jeff McMahan -- Response to commentators / Michael W. Doyle.