In military terms, the pre-emptive strike is a method of the defensive use of force
, the deployment
of military power
to prevent an attack by another state and minimize danger to yourself if you are attacked. There are two possibilities for striking first -- the pre-emptive strike and the preventive strike, the difference being an issue of timing
as states attempt to determine when the adversary will attack.
A pre-emptive strike is a matter of hours, days, or weeks, and it occurs when there is belief in an imminent attack. It follows the maxim that "the best defense is a good offense." Examples of pre-emptive strikes include the Japanese bombing of the United States' Pearl Harbor in World War II and Israel's strikes on Egypt in the Six Day War of 1967.
A preventive strike, on the other hand, deals with months or years, a long term strategy. A state believes the attack is inevitable, but not imminent. An example of this is the Maginot line used by the French in World War II.