What would be a justified invasion of IRAQ?

[loki09789]

What about in the defense of another nation? Was it right for us to have stayed out of WW1 or WW2 until attacked ourselves? We've gotten into a lot of wars (almost all of them) when we weren't first attacked. Should we have gotten involved with Iraq in 1990 when it invaded Kuwait? They didn't attack us...

WhiteBirch

Consider the logic around use of force laws and third party/good samaritan laws as precidence for American policies and you will get an idea on how I view National/Federal "use of force" policies. Pre-Emption is no different on that scale than being justified in popping the guy who winds up his fist to smack you before he can deliver.

On the larger scale, though the volume of 'reasonable' belief has to be appropriately substatial.

If you can end up dead by giving the guy the first shot personally, you will end up letting 1000's or more die if you give the national 'bad guy' the first shot before you act.