Preventing the Use of Force and Anticipatory Self-Defense

Preventing “use of force” is one of the stabilized principles of international law and the United Nations. Even so, states have been trying to legitimize their use of force in a variety of cases. This essay is going to have a look into the prevention of use of force as an international rule and its exceptions, on the one hand, and the preemptive military actions, on the other hand. September 11 led to a broad interpretation of the right for legitimate defense as well as the introduction of preemptive war doctrine. Notwithstanding international opposition, there is still a strong probability of taking preemptive Actions by states. The question is, firstly, what reasons are provided to support the idea of taking preemptive Actions or Anticipatory Self Defense and secondly, whether they have any bases in international law and the United Nations. Here, preventing use of force by states as an international rule and its exceptions, the United Nations approach towards or Anticipatory Self Defense, the reasoning by those for and against preemptive actions and or Anticipatory Self Defense for humanitarian purposes especially towards territorial claims, terrorism and weapons of mass destruction are discussed.