Research: Idea 2: The Bush Doctrine

Following 9 / 11 there was a change in the interpretation and views of United States government policy. The need for not just retribution but preventative action became imperative. In the two presidencies that reigned following the Al Qaeda Tragedy many historians are seeing parallels towards an Orwellian like society. It began with the Bush Doctrine. 

• Had previously existed
• Changed on the night of September 11th
• Bush's famous speech
• "You are other with us or with the terrorists"
• January 2002 notion for "preventative war" began
• Rhetoric talked openly about Iraq possessing WMDs and destructive weaponry
• March 2003 there was a coalition led by the US into Iraq to topple the Hussein regime
• "The twist Bush put on it was embracing 'preventive' war: Taking action well before an attack was imminent -- invading a country that was simply perceived as threatening."
• Dan Foomkin, famous Washington Post columnist 
• The following month (October 2011) the US invaded Afghanistan 
• 1992 Wolfowitz drafted a set of internal military guidelines
• Called the "Defense Planning Guidelines" 
• Discusses military / political tactics in a post Cold War world
• "Containment is a relic of the cold war" 
• First motion for preemptive action and US willingness to act alone 
• January 2011 Bush becomes president 
• "Hawks" gain 3 important positions 
• Idea of preemptive action is strengthened 
• September 11, 2001 - 9 / 11
• September 15, 2001 - War Council decides first phase of retaliation / war will be with Afghanistan (not Iraq) 
• Jan 2002 - introduction of "axis of evil" idea
• Inclusive of Iraq, Iran, and North Korea
• Sort of like a zero tolerance policy 
• June 2002 
• Graduation speech at West Point 
• Bush tells graduates of the military / political shift in the post cold war era 
• Shift from containment to preemption
• "Our security will require all Americans to be forward-looking and resolute, to be ready for preemptive action when necessary to defend our liberty and to defend our lives."
• Calls for hegemony as well 
• Echos of 1992 Wolfowitz draft
• Bush administration also argues that a push for war in the middle east could aid in resolving the Israel-Palestine peace conflict 
• Again war for peace
• September 17th 2002 - release of the National Security Strategy (NSS) 
• 33 page document
• Formally articulates all the elements of the Bush Doctrine in one place
• Policy analysts note many strong parallels between the NSS and the Wolfowitz draft (Schein)