4 Chi J Intl L 97
Greg Travalio and John Altenburg

This Article discusses the problem of how states may confront terrorism that is conducted by nonstate actors. The authors believe that current international law provides an adequate basis for state actions that effectively respond to terrorist acts. At the same time, the authors argue that the precepts of state responsibility and the commonly accepted 19th century definition of anticipatory self-defense must be adapted to recognize the technological realities of the 21st century. The authors conclude that, understood properly, current rules of international law provide the necessary legal authority to effectively combat terrorism. Consequently, there is no need to resort to an ill-advised doctrine of preemption.