For over two decades, American foreign policy has been dominated by one idea: strike first, justify later. Strike First is a bold, sweeping analysis of the United States’ transformation into a nation governed by the logic of preemptive warfare. From the Bush Doctrine and the invasion of Iraq to drone assassinations, cyberwarfare, and the landmark Operation Midnight Hammer, this book traces the evolution of America’s security mindset from reactive to relentlessly anticipatory. Drawing on declassified sources, expert interviews, and frontline reporting, Strike First explores the policies and precedents set by five consecutive presidential administrations. It examines how legal boundaries blurred, congressional oversight eroded, and autonomous technologies upended traditional deterrence. From the deserts of Afghanistan to the corridors of the Pentagon, from Soleimani’s killing to the normalization of algorithmic targeting, this is the definitive account of how first strikes became not just military options—but default strategies. Provocative, timely, and unflinchingly honest, Strike First challenges readers to confront the consequences of a nation always ready to fire. What happens to democracy when war becomes routine? Can a republic built on deliberation survive a doctrine built on speed? And what comes after the next strike? This book is essential reading for military analysts, policymakers, journalists, and anyone who wants to understand the true cost of living on the edge of war.