Targeting terrorists

Plaw traces the political history of targeted killing and weighs whether, and under what conditions, states can defend it on moral, political and legal grounds. He places the practice within the post-9/11 struggle against terrorism and asks what separates acceptable counter-terrorist measures from unacceptable ones.

The book argues that targeted killings have grown steadily in number worldwide, yet they have received little sustained discussion among the public or scholars. Plaw aims to fill that gap by treating a troubling subject that deserves far closer scrutiny than it has had.

Drawing on several disciplines, the study combines theoretical argument with case studies. It suits students of ethics, politics, international relations and international law.