Pre-emptive military action: a valid option underinternational law or a threat to international peace?

Abstract

First, it is one of those topics that necessitate starting with clarification of terminology used. Especially as the title doesn't speak, for example, of pre-emptive self-defence but pre-emptive military action, which may include, beside self-defence, actions with humanitarian aims, i.e. so-called humanitarian intervention not to stop but to prevent an imminent genocide. If we speak of pre-emptive use of military force authorised by the UN Security Council, I wouldn't find many problems with that (overstepping the mandate may be an issue). Much more complicated is the question of humanitarian intervention of a pre-emptive nature not authorised by the Security Council. However, I will leave most of that aside. Though interesting and important in themselves, these topics are not, as I understand, at the centre of our panel’s discussion