"1. Does this action, by the set of allied forces, now give other countries permission to engage in a similar fashion?"

no

"2. Because everyone has a different viewpoint of what is considered threatening to 'their people', could some country, some day, see democracy, as a threat, and take similar action against countries like the United States?"

yes

"3. What do we do, as a set of allied forces, do to convince the world, that in some cases, preemptive measures are warranted, but that it is not a normal way to 'carry forward' life as a sovereign nation or set of nations?"

remain the most powerful nation on earth that is truly of a peaceful nature. the allies will for the most part follow our lead unless they think they can take our power. continue to not accept any form of terrorism or support of terrorism. continue to defend nations whose soveriegnty is threatened unwarrantedly.

"I add:
North Korea, which I am rather worried about, if they 'get the idea' that preemptive is a 'solution' in dealing with what 'they' consider to be threatening to their way of life. How do we cope with that?"

if North Korea took such actions in either an unwarranted attack on a soveriegn nation or used or supported terrorism we would need to use our greater strength to totally crush them.

currently North Korea is only playing the power game, which is a perfectly acceptable behavior.
we need to play the game better than them. i think we should try to convert them to allies. that would be the best way to defeat them in the power game.

regards, tim

• What justifies pre-emptive action - yanniru - March 23, 2003 - 03:44 UTC
  • a great point - sagefr0g - March 23, 2003 - 18:17 UTC
• That is... - robertgregory - March 23, 2003 - 06:56 UTC
  • the goal is keep the upper hand - sagefr0g - March 24, 2003 - 03:48 UTC
    • We are more likely to turn friends into enemies - yanniru - March 24, 2003 - 13:03 UTC
      • Guerrilla War - sagefr0g - March 25, 2003 - 00:58 UTC
        • Isn't it amazing - yaniru - March 25, 2003 - 01:14 UTC
          • it makes the head spin in disbelief - sagefr0g - March 25, 2003 - 01:36 UTC
          • Maybe it's the language - splat - March 25, 2003 - 07:52 UTC