Pre-emptive strike from the lens of Jus Ad Bellum (Law of war)

This scholarly inquiry explores the intricate nexus between warfare, ethical considerations and the framework of international law. It traces the evolutionary trajectory of laws governing warfare, delineating the transition from religiously underpinned justifications to secular rationales that took place during the era of European colonial expansion. Subsequently, the article delves into the conceptual domain of ethical warfare, elucidating the precepts of the Just War theory, which delineates stringent criteria for the moral legitimacy of armed conflict. A significant focal point pertains to the United States’ National Security Strategy of 2002, emblematic of a shift in American foreign policy towards pre-emptive military interventions. Then, the study examines Israel’s strategic predilection for pre-emptive military strikes, underscored by its geopolitical compulsions. In its denouement, the inquiry focuses on the doctrine of anticipatory self-defence in the contemporary global milieu, while advocating for steadfast adherence to the cardinal principles of necessity, proportionality and immediacy.