The rise of preemptive conflict threatens global peace and legal order.
In the early hours of June 13, Israel launched a surprise military strike on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities at Natanz and Fordo, key military installations, and the residences of senior officials. Israel claimed the operation was a preemptive act of self-defence, arguing that Iran was only weeks away from building a nuclear weapon. The result: nearly 1,000 Iranians killed, and in retaliation, 28 Israeli casualties.
However, intelligence reports — including assessments from U.S. sources and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) — did not support claims of Iran’s imminent nuclear capability. In fact, diplomatic negotiations between Iran and the U.S. were underway, indicating a path toward peaceful resolution.
Preemptive vs Preventive Strikes: A Dangerous Ethical Shift
The core issue here isn’t just military or political — it’s moral. The line between preemptive (responding to an immediate threat) and preventive (acting against a possible future threat) strikes is critical. Under international law and ethical philosophy — from St. Augustine to modern thinkers like Michael Walzer — only preemptive war can be justified, and only under strict conditions: when a threat is immediate, overwhelming, and unavoidable.
Israel’s strike, by those standards, does not qualify. No concrete proof of an imminent nuclear threat existed. Diplomacy was still active. Moreover, the risk of catastrophic fallout from attacks on nuclear infrastructure far outweighed any justified military necessity.
Legal Implications: Breaching International Norms
The United Nations Charter clearly forbids the use of force under Article 2(4), allowing only for self-defence after an actual armed attack as stated in Article 51. Israel’s justification of anticipatory self-defence rests on disputed interpretations, not treaty-backed law. UN experts have labeled the assault a breach of jus cogens — the highest form of international legal norms.
The implications are global. If anticipatory force becomes normalized, any nation could justify war based on perceived threats — from China over Taiwan to Pakistan over India. This would weaken international stability and dismantle the legal framework that prevents arbitrary war.
The Role of Fear and Technology in War
Supporters of the strike argue that Israel acted out of existential necessity. Iran’s leadership has a history of inflammatory rhetoric and has supported militant groups hostile to Israel. But dangerous speech is not the same as dangerous action. If rhetoric alone justifies military strikes, any nation could launch attacks based on hostile words, pushing the world into chaos.
Technological advancements further blur these lines. Drone warfare, AI-assisted targeting, and hypersonic missiles shorten the decision window for leaders. What once took days of debate can now be executed in minutes — eroding the distinction between peace and war. As surveillance and automated systems become standard in geopolitics, the world risks falling into what philosopher Giorgio Agamben describes as a permanent state of exception — where emergency becomes the norm and legal boundaries are endlessly suspended.
When War Becomes Default
In this climate, the justification for military action is increasingly replaced by speed and tactical gain. Ethical scrutiny fades as nations prioritize fast reactions over lawful restraint. This evolution rewards surprise and aggression over diplomacy and deliberation — a deeply troubling trend.
The result? A world where war becomes default and peace the rare exception.
Reclaiming Restraint: A Call to Action
To prevent a future dominated by fear-based warfare, the global community must take deliberate steps:
- Transparent Verification: Any claims of imminent threat must be evaluated by independent bodies such as the IAEA, not hidden behind classified reports.
- Diplomacy First: All non-violent alternatives — negotiations, sanctions, cyber deterrence — must be demonstrably exhausted before any military action is authorized.
- Civilian Impact Assessment: Environmental, health, and humanitarian experts must publicly assess risks before strikes are approved.
- Public Accountability: Media, scholars, and citizens must demand adherence to international norms and hold leaders accountable for unjustified force.
Preemptive strikes may occasionally be justifiable — such as when missiles are visibly armed or fleets are actively crossing borders. But Israel’s strike on Iran does not meet that bar. It wasn’t a response to an immediate threat; it was based on speculation and fear.
If fear becomes a globally accepted reason for war, we risk entering a world of permanent conflict. True international order depends on moral courage — the courage to wait, to verify, and to see one another as human before enemies.
Final Thought
This confrontation is more than a regional clash — it’s a global test. Will the world uphold the line between legitimate defence and reckless aggression? Or will fear dismantle the legal and moral codes that safeguard peace?
If restraint dies, so does the hope for lasting peace.
News wrap-up
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NEWS SOURCE: Aljazeera
