Question

Suppose Saudi Arabia is worried that its regional rival, Iran, is building a new weapon that would be capable of wiping out their country. They attack Iran before the weapon can be completed, thus stopping a future attack before it can happen. This is an example of what?

Answer 1

The scenario is an example of preemption, where Saudi Arabia attacks Iran to stop them from completing a weapon that could pose a threat to their country.

Step-by-step explanation:

This scenario of Saudi Arabia attacking Iran to prevent them from completing a weapon capable of wiping out their country is an example of preemption in international relations. Preemption is when a country takes military action against a potential threat before they have a chance to attack first. It is a specific strategy that is generally used to neutralize a perceived danger.

Examples of preemption in history include the Reagan administration's campaigns in Central American countries to counter communism, the Iraq War led by President George W. Bush, and the use of drones as counterterrorism weapons during the Obama administration.