WAR LEGITIMACY AND INTERNATIONAL LAW IN PRE-EMPTIVE MILITARY ACTIONS

Abstract

Pre-emptive military action—using force to neutralize a perceived future threat—sits at the center of contemporary debates on war legitimacy. International law, particularly the United Nations Charter, sets strict limits on the use of force, emphasizing state sovereignty and collective security. This article explains the legal framework, clarifies key concepts such as pre-emptive vs. preventive war, and outlines the main arguments for and against legality in simple, professional terms.