perceived threat, n.All

A Perceived threat (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠whatever justifies a strike without warning or credible pretext; its operational meaning is the world at the mercy of attack at will.