The strategic illogic of preventive war
Between outspoken will and real will, the American strategy does rest on the preventive war doctrine, even if the Bush Administration prefers to name it «preemption », on order to give it a more legitimate appearance. If the apparition of such a strategy can be explained in reaction to September 11th, the Bush doctrine ignores the contemporary strategic context, and neglects the main characteristics of the current international system as the persistence of fierce nationalism. As a concept, or in its enforcement, it is confronted with considerable difficulties. Preventive war, which is useless and dangerous, can not be a guarantee against terrorism or WMD. Thus, it brings no strategic benefit to the United States. – Summary AFRI-2005
