2006/05/25 by Peter Dombrowski, Rodger A. Payne · 1 voice · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Social Sciences · #Bacillus and Francisella bacterial research #Global Security and Public Health #Nuclear Issues and Defense
paper · doi:10.1080/00396330600765419
openalex publication_date 2006/05/25 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
After u September 2001, the George W. Bush administration declared that the United States had adopted a 'pre-emptive' military doctrine to address new threats posed by terrorists and 'rogue states' armed with nuclear, biological or chemical weapons. However, the so-called 'Bush Doctrine' met substantial international opposition when it was proposed - and even more resistance when it was applied to the case of Iraq. Subsequent events in Iraq have not made the idea any more popular. It is somewhat startling, then, that numerous states and international organisations seem now to support the call to revise long-held international understandings about when force might be used. A sizable number agree that the risk of calamitous surprise attacks, especially with nuclear, biological or chemical weapons, might justify preventive strikes or wars against terrorists or their state sponsors. Anew international norm may thus be under construction, though states continue to disagree about the agents of decision and action.