The book consists of an introduction, three chapters, and a conclusion. The introduction raises a set of condensed and critical questions that are explored and developed throughout the chapters, clearly outlining the central objective of the book.

The first chapter, entitled Preemptive Wars (The Other and the Use of Force), discusses the concepts of just war and the war on terror. It examines preemptive strikes as practiced by the United States, the notion of the “rogue state,” and the concept of “democratization” as the third pillar underpinning the war on terror. The chapter further explores the historical roots of defensive imperialism, including the civilizing mission, natural rights, preemptive wars, and the civilian legal framework.

The chapter then turns to the United Nations, analyzing its instrumentalization through four models, followed by a discussion of the veto moment and its implications for the organization.

The second chapter, entitled From Barbarians to Unlawful Combatants, examines the relationship between Western imperialism and the international legal order applied in warfare. It is divided into five sections: the emergence of international law and imperialism; the reasons for excluding “the other” from the law of war; the failure of attempts to reform international humanitarian law; international humanitarian law and the Arab imperial project; and a concluding synthesis of the chapter’s key concepts.

The third chapter, Democratizing the Other, begins with an analysis of international law and democratic peace theory, followed by a discussion of context and the post-colonial state. It concludes with an examination of defensive imperialism and democratic imperialism, ending with a final analytical conclusion.

The book concludes with a general conclusion that integrates the various studies presented, offering a forward-looking perspective on additional issues and concepts that may be examined through the proposed interpretive model.