On February 8, 1904, the Japanese Navy started the Russo-Japanese War by conducting a sneak attack against the Russian naval fleet at anchor at Port Arthur, Manchuria, a key strategic Pacific port then under the administration of Imperial Russia. Most of us are familiar with the Japanese sneak (or “surprise” or even “preemptive” attack if you want) on Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii on the American fleet, aircraft and port facilities on December 7, 1941, that started World War II for the United States, but even before that famous sneak attack, the Japanese had already embraced the idea of a sneak attack to neutralize an enemy fleet even before hostilities had been declared.
Digging Deeper
Although the Japanese surprise attacks have often been called “sneak” attacks and referred to in unflattering terms, the truth of fighting, whether it is between 2 individuals or between nations, is that winning is really, really important. Personal or national survival may rest on whether or not you win, and no points are given for style. If you know or seriously believe the other guy is going to clock you, sucker punch the dude and get the advantage! The United States under the Bush Doctrine has declared a national policy of pre-emptive strikes against any nation or entity that poses a clear and present danger to the welfare of the US.
