Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Question of the Day: Preventive War

If the leadership of a nuclear power declares a policy of preventive war and threatens an opponent, does that give the opponent the moral right to attack first in self-defense?


More specifically,

1) Does that give the opponent the moral right to kill the leaders who made the threats?
2) Does that give the opponent the moral right to commit genocide by, e.g., launching a nuclear attack?

And finally, if human society were civilized, would the mere verbal declaration of policy of preventive war in the absence of a direct and immediate threat be considered a war crime?

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Readings:

Statements by Politicians:

McCain: "it depends"

Retired Israeli General Oded Tira: "As an American air strike in Iran is essential for our existence....The Americans must act. If they don't, we'll do it ourselves..."

Netanyahu: "There is still time. All ways must be considered. We can't let this thing happen,"

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