Perils of preemptive war: why America's place in the world will shift--for the worse--if we attack Iraq.

ON JUNE 1 AT WEST POINT, PRESIDENT GEORGE W. Bush set forth a new doctrine for U.S. security policy. The successful strategies of the Cold War era, he declared, are ill suited to national defense in the 21st century. Deterrence means nothing against terrorist networks; containment will not thwart unbalanced dictators possessing weapons of mass destruction. We cannot afford to wait until we are attacked. In today's circumstances, Americans must be ready to take "preemptive action" to defend our lives and liberties.

On Aug. 26, Vice President Dick Cheney forcefully ...