The just-war supporters believe that national self-defense is a justification for war. .
The United States of America has adopted the just -war theory to defend it's freedoms against those who threaten our every day lives such as terrorists. In the ongoing war on terror, the U.S. is less likely to embrace either the realist theory or the absolutist theory. The U.S. would not use the realist theory because our policy includes the moral way of thinking. The U.S. would also disagree with the absolutist theory, due to America's belief that Freedom shall be defended at all costs.
The requirement of discrimination asks how one knows whether the violence of war is just or unjust. This also has to do with morals. The requirement of discrimination is a separate perspective that may be used to differentiate between cultural and economical differences. This theory is by far the most controversial theory because it entails one state's moral guideline against another. .
The main goal of the policy of deterrence is to prevent the loss of a state's sovereignty and independence by preventing the attacks that are to come. Another goal is to reduce the future cost of the war. A nation will be less likely to attack if the cost is extremely high. However, the use of deterrence may actually increase the possibility of a large-scale nuclear war instead of the kind of war that would take place. As it was learned in the past, deterrence can lead to an even greater tension between two super powers, and the only way to ease those tensions is to negotiate with matters of peace. If deterrence and diplomacy fails, the just-war theory is taken into account to determine weather or not war is the appropriate alternative.
Many wise men in the past believed that a great leader avoids war at all costs to preserve statehood, and does not use war to dominate others. America has gained the reputation of one of the world's greatest superpowers.