For powerful countries to adopt a principle of preventive war may well set an example that can have catastrophic consequences.

对于强国来讲，采取先发制人的战争原则将会树立具有灾难性后果的先例。

War plans were rewritten, and General McMaster spoke openly about the possibility of a " preventive war" if the threat grew.

他们重新制定了战争计划，麦克马斯特将军还公开表示，如果威胁升级，可能会爆发“预防性战争”。