defensive war
Resistance against invasion
A defensive war is armed conflict undertaken to repel an attack or protect against aggression rather than to conquer or expand.
The distinction matters legally and morally—nations claim defensive justification even when the facts are contested: Russia characterized its invasion as a defensive war against NATO expansion.
Nearly every belligerent frames its actions as defensive.
- fight backOppose an attacker
- counterattackOffensive response to aggression
- hold the lineMaintain current position
- fortificationStrengthening defenses or nutrients
- bunkersFortified underground chambers
last stand · sovereignty · border security · national guard · Winter War · American Revolutionary War · Battle of Britain · morale boosting · nationalism · Siege of Vienna · enemy at the gates · siege mentality · deterrence · ambush · treaty obligations · allied forces · radar systems · protective measures
- WarsWorld War I, WWI, civil war, cold war, Korean War
- War Ethicsjust war, rules of war, rules of engagement, Geneva Conventions, Geneva Convention
- Confederate WarfareRobert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, cavalry raids, blockade running, fortification
- Kosciuszko Uprisingscythemen, peasant army, universal conscription, volunteer corps, Krakow
defensive waroffensive war
Conflict initiated by attacker
war of aggression · invasion · war of conquest · military aggression · unprovoked attack
defensive, defense, defence, defend, defender, defending, defended, defends, defensively