What does "preventive warfare" entail?

Preventive warfare involves taking action to eliminate a potential threat before it materializes, which is why this choice is the most accurate representation of the concept. The primary aim is to address threats proactively, rather than waiting for an adversarial action to escalate into open conflict. This strategy can be rooted in the belief that by acting early, a state can potentially avoid a larger and more devastating war later on. This approach emphasizes the importance of recognizing and responding to threats based on their potential future impact rather than their current level of aggression.

In this context, engaging in conflict to maintain peace or conducting negotiations to avoid war are strategies that deal with existing situations rather than proactively preventing future conflicts. Implementing economic sanctions may serve as a tool for diplomacy or coercion against a state actor, but it does not directly involve military action aimed at eliminating a potential future threat, which is the hallmark of preventive warfare.