US Backs First-Strike Attack Plan

The Bush administration has released a document outlining its national security strategy - one that touches on many sensitive points all over the world. The document is released as polls continue to show a majority of US citizens questioning the war in Iraq and the direction of their own country. Singling out Iran as the greatest single current danger, the document defends the Bush administration policy of striking first at hostile regimes or those that develop weapons of mass destruction. The 49-page policy highlights untraditional security concerns, including AIDS, threat of pandemic flu, and natural disasters. More conventional targets include Russia and China for lacking democratic processes and Hamas' refusal to recognize Israel. Seven "despot" nations are identified: North Korea, Iran, Syria, Cuba, Belarus, Burma and Zimbabwe. Despite the numerous problems, the overall goal for the administration is "spreading democracy through diplomacy." Self-described as "ambitious" and pursuing confidence rather than fear, the policy document also concludes by recognizing the limits of what "a nation as powerful as the US can achieve by itself." – YaleGlobal