pre-emptive attack

This page is about the doublespeak term pre-emptive attack

Meaning

a surprise attack before declaring war or invading a country

For example

  • The 1941 Japanese pre-emptive attack on Pearl Harbour almost destroyed the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

  • Before invading Iraq, the U.S. military carried out pre-emptive missile attacks on Baghdad.

Note:
Also "pre-emptive strike"

Quick Quiz

Pre-emptive attacks are usually carried out

a. without warning

b. without killing

c. without force
a) without warning b) without killing c) without force

Contributor: Matt Errey