Course Packs: The war on Terrorism

The War on Terrorism


Apocalyptic Terrorism: The Case for Preventive Action
Joseph McMillan
Institute for National Strategic Studies
November 2004

 

Abstract

The judicious use of decisive force against terrorists and their support structures is a vital component of the U.S. strategy to defeat global terrorism. Another component is the development of a consensus that terrorism is contrary to international norms of behavior. Achieving such a consensus will be possible only if the United States can convince the world community that the counterterrorist struggle is being conducted in accordance with these norms.

The United States, therefore, needs to articulate a strong case for the right of antiterrorist intervention based on three concepts adapted from international law:

Achieving global consensus on a doctrine based upon these points will not be easy. But by articulating these principles and building on such steps as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Organization of American States characterizations of the 9/11 strikes as "armed attacks," the United States and its allies can create a body of customary international law around which global consensus in support of a right of antiterrorist intervention can coalesce.

Full text (PDF format, 6 pages, 336.6 KB)