Preemptive Strike Theory

Preemptive Strike Theory suggests that a country might choose to attack an adversary proactively if it believes that an attack from the other side is imminent and would cause significant harm if delayed. The idea is to strike first to prevent or reduce the damage from an expected threat, especially when waiting increases the risk of being weakened or destroyed. This strategy is often debated because it involves acting on intelligence and assumptions about future threats, which can be uncertain or incorrect. The theory aims to justify preemptive action as a way to ensure national security.