"Preemptive strike" means taking offensive action or attacking first in order to prevent an anticipated attack or threat from an enemy. Full definition
Bolton, who is regarded as a foreign policy super-hawk, had previously argued for preemptive strikes against North Korea. (cnbc.com)
After he criticized the idea of a U.S. preemptive strike on North Korea, Victor Cha is no longer the White House's candidate for Ambassador to South Korea. (npr.org)
I was defending myself against preemptive strikes by realclimate. (climateaudit.org)