single bullet doctrine

The doctrine that in diplomacy or the international political field assassination can be a very effective means of avoiding war. Formally coined as a phrase in an opinion piece by journalist John Stanton in October 2002.

The coinage is a reference to a comment regarding the possibility of a war against Saddam Hussein in Iraq. In a press conference Ari Fleischer, the White House spokesman, said: "The cost of a one-way ticket is substantially less than the cost of war. The cost of one bullet, if the Iraqi people take it on themselves, is substantially less than that.

(http://www.newsinsider.org/editorials/bullet_meets_the_bone.html)

While dealing with a tyrannical dictatorship, I would support the single bullet doctrine.