That was not preemptive.
Iraq...
So far, there is no proof that they were a threat to us. I supported the war when they told me that Iraq was preparing to attack us. I'm waiting for the evidence to come in. I am patient, but history will judge.
...Syria? North Korea?
Syria is going to attack us?
As to North Korea, are you advocating a preemptive war? If so, please say so.
How would you defend against another 9/11?
By enforcing and tightening the immigration laws. All of the attackers, (Saudis) were in this country legally at first.
And if you think that another 9/11 type attack can be prevented absolutely by any means, you and I disagree. It is impossible to prevent small groups of whackos from doing harm to others.
For starters, you would arm everyone. At least, you would remove all un-Constitutional, and un-ethical, restrictions on invidividual arms carry. Anyone could carry anything they wanted anywhere they wanted. Including airplanes.
Private property owners, including "public" business owners, set the rules for carry on their property.
Once you'd gotten the liberals revived from that conniption causing issue, then you'd go on to kill the welfare state and impose an NRST with no exepmtions. This would allow business to flourish as well as reducing the incentive for illegals to want to come here. It'd also kill a lot of the power the government has to make and regulate business deals. Most of these tin-pot dictators would get strung up within a few short months as moneyed US based interests buy them out or pay for their over-throw so we can get our capitalistic hands on their un-tapped resources.