U.S. Use of Preemptive Military Force (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised April 11, 2003 |
| Report Number |
RS21311 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Richard F. Grimmett, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
This report reviews the historical record regarding the uses of U.S. military force in a
"preemptive"
manner, an issue that emerged during public debates prior to the use of U.S. military force against
Iraq in 2003. It examines and comments on military actions taken by the United States that could
be reasonably interpreted as preemptive in nature. For purposes of this analysis a preemptive use
of military force is considered to be the taking of military action by the United States against another
nation so as to prevent or mitigate a presumed imminent military attack or use of force
by that nation
against the United States. The deployment of U.S. military forces in support of U.S. foreign policy,
without their engaging in combat, is not deemed to be a preemptive use of military force.
This
review includes all noteworthy uses of military force by the United States since the establishment
of the Republic. A listing of such instances can be found in CRS Report RL32170 , Instances
of Use
of United States Armed Forces Abroad, 1798-2003. For an analysis of international law and
preemptive force see CRS Report RS21314 , International Law and the Preemptive Use of
Force
Against Iraq . This report will be updated if significant events warrant.
