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Drones and the Ethics of Targeted Killing

Kenneth R. Himes, OFM

Drones have become an essential part of U.S. national security strategy, but most Americans know little about how they are used, and we receive conflicting reports about their outcomes. In Drones and the Ethics of Targeted Killing, ethicist Kenneth R. Himes provides not only an overview of the role of drones in national security but also an important exploration of the ethical implications of drone warfare—from the impact on terrorist organizations and civilians to how piloting drones shapes soldiers.

Targeted killings have played a role in politics from ancient times through today, so the ethical challenges around how to protect against threats are not new. Himes leads readers through the ethics of targeted killings in history from ancient times to the contemporary Israeli-Palestinian conflict, then looks specifically at the new issues raised through the use of drones. This book is a powerful look at a pressing topic today.
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Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 212 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼
978-1-4422-3155-9 • Hardback • September 2015 • $109.00 • (£84.00)
978-1-4422-3156-6 • Paperback • September 2015 • $36.00 • (£30.00)
978-1-4422-3157-3 • eBook • September 2015 • $34.00 • (£25.00)
Subjects: Religion / RELIGION / Politics & State, Religion / Christian Theology / Ethics, Religion / Ethics, Religion / Theology, Political Science / Security (National & International)
Courses: Religion; Religious Ethics, Philosophy; Ethics; General
Kenneth R. Himes, OFM,is associate professor of moral theology at Boston College. He is the author or coeditor of several books, including Christianity and the Political Order, Modern Catholic Social Teaching, and Responses to 101 Questions on Catholic Social Teaching. He regularly contributes to publications such as America and Theological Studies.
List of Acronyms
Preface

1. Understanding Targeted Killing and Drones
The Language of Killing
Targeted Killing Today
Drones: Their Nature and Use
Remote Killing
Legal, Policy, and Moral Concerns

2. The Distant Contexts of the Debate
Targeted Killing in the Classical World
Targeted Killing and Ancient Israel
Tyrannicide in the Christian Tradition
Assassination

3. The Proximate Context: Israel and the Intifada
Israeli Public Debate
The High Court of Justice
Takeaways from the Israeli Experience

4. The Immediate Context: The U.S. War on Terrorism
The Obama Administration’s Policy
A Public Killing
A Public Hearing
Speaking in Public
The President’s Speech
How Does an Individual Become a Target?
How Is a Targeted Killing Implemented?
Summing Up

5. The Future Context: Addressing the Moral Issues
Discrimination
Imminence
Death and Harm to Civilians
Last Resort
Strategic Success
Perpetual War
Bad Precedents
Drones and Democracy
Final Thoughts

Notes
Index
No single book can do everything, of course, and this one achieves much. Himes shakes readers awake to some of the most pressing issues surrounding drones and the ethics of targeted killing today.
— Studies in Christian Ethics


Ken Himes' latest book, Drones and the Ethics of Targeted Killing...represents what I hope will be the first of many steps toward re-shaping the discussion of the ethics, legality, and wisdom of contemporary military operations. . . .I recommend the book...because Himes is asking all the right questions. In the hard ethical work that lies before us, Drones and the Ethics of Targeted Killing represents a necessary and timely contribution.
— Journal of Military Ethics


Kenneth Himes has provided a balanced, well-researched, and readable guide to the issues. His central purpose is to bring just war theory to bear on the targeting of individuals who are not on active battlefields. An associate professor of theology at Boston College, Himes dedicates the book to the students he’s taught over the years, and that is fitting: it is the sort of book one would expect from a fair and dedicated teacher because it explains complex topics clearly and presents both sides of fraught moral debates.
— The Christian Century


In grappling so prudently with the ethics of new technologies that intersect with very old moral quandaries regarding the justification of targeted killing, H[imes] produces a veritable masterpiece of ethical analysis. . . .In meeting the challenge of adapting established principles to new global conditions that may alter our evaluation of the use of force, it is hard to imagine a more insightful guide than H[imes].
— Theological Studies


The chapters taken individually on the Christian tradition, the use of the just war tradition in public debate, US government policy in favour of drone use and ethical reflections on the US government’s use of drones each stand alone as solid introductions to their respective fields of enquiry.
— Theology


Himes’ approach is well organized, well researched, and clear. . . .Himes consistently asks and pursues the right questions. His book belongs in college libraries and on course syllabi.
— Horizons: The Journal of the College Theology Society


Himes has written a broadly designed, strategically precise, and morally insightful analysis of two major issues in U.S. policy: targeted killings and drones. Both topics yield intense debate in the United States and around the world; the intensity of the debate at times obscures the issues or fails to provide sufficient breadth of analysis. Himes’s work provides a remedy. Two principal characteristics of this work are its lucidity and fairness in addressing contested questions. Himes draws in detail on technical and strategic literature and combines this with moral and legal analysis. While much of the book is focused on the wars since 9-11, Himes recognizes that both of his topics will extend into the future because of the nature of contemporary conflicts. The book deserves a wide audience and is guaranteed a long shelf life.
— J. Bryan Hehir, Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor of the Practice of Religion and Public Life, Harvard Kennedy School of Government


The ethics of war is often accused of neither anticipating future fighting technologies nor keeping up with current developments in arms and tactics. Although I wish this book had been around at least a decade ago, it is definitely better a tad late than never! With Drones and the Ethics of Targeted Killing, Kenneth R. Himes provides the most up-to-date and thorough treatment of drones and their use for targeted killings. The book displays historical breadth—probing the ethics of various types of targeted killing, including tyrannicide and assassination—from the ancient world to the present day. It also possesses depth—exploring the nature and use of drones, with particular and detailed attention given to Israel and the Intifada and the U.S. policy of using drones in its war against terrorists. For anyone interested in a careful moral evaluation, offered by one of today's leading ethicists, of drone usage as a kind of targeted killing, this is a must-read.
— Tobias Winright, Hubert Mäder Chair of Health Care Ethics, Saint Louis University


In his analysis of the emerging discourse of targeted killing, Kenneth R. Himes carefully examines the blurring of categories traditionally used for the justification of political killings—the paradigm of law enforcement and the just war tradition. This book will serve as an important source for anybody interested in the history and political-ethical context of killing in the political sphere.
— Hille Haker, Richard A. McCormick, SJ, Chair of Catholic Moral Theology, Loyola University Chicago


Filled with powerful real life stories about the impact of drones and targeted killings—from international politics to the impact on pilots

Introduces readers to the basics of drone warfare

Provides an overview of the history of targeted killings—from ancient times to contemporary Israel–Palestine

Discusses conflicting responses to the use of drones for targeted killings from sources such as the UN, the media, within the military, the National Security Agency, and more

Draws on the legacy of Christian ethics and the just war tradition to examine the ethics of drones today

Drones and the Ethics of Targeted Killing

Cover Image
Hardback
Paperback
eBook
Summary
Summary
  • Drones have become an essential part of U.S. national security strategy, but most Americans know little about how they are used, and we receive conflicting reports about their outcomes. In Drones and the Ethics of Targeted Killing, ethicist Kenneth R. Himes provides not only an overview of the role of drones in national security but also an important exploration of the ethical implications of drone warfare—from the impact on terrorist organizations and civilians to how piloting drones shapes soldiers.

    Targeted killings have played a role in politics from ancient times through today, so the ethical challenges around how to protect against threats are not new. Himes leads readers through the ethics of targeted killings in history from ancient times to the contemporary Israeli-Palestinian conflict, then looks specifically at the new issues raised through the use of drones. This book is a powerful look at a pressing topic today.
Details
Details
  • Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
    Pages: 212 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼
    978-1-4422-3155-9 • Hardback • September 2015 • $109.00 • (£84.00)
    978-1-4422-3156-6 • Paperback • September 2015 • $36.00 • (£30.00)
    978-1-4422-3157-3 • eBook • September 2015 • $34.00 • (£25.00)
    Subjects: Religion / RELIGION / Politics & State, Religion / Christian Theology / Ethics, Religion / Ethics, Religion / Theology, Political Science / Security (National & International)
    Courses: Religion; Religious Ethics, Philosophy; Ethics; General
Author
Author
  • Kenneth R. Himes, OFM,is associate professor of moral theology at Boston College. He is the author or coeditor of several books, including Christianity and the Political Order, Modern Catholic Social Teaching, and Responses to 101 Questions on Catholic Social Teaching. He regularly contributes to publications such as America and Theological Studies.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
  • List of Acronyms
    Preface

    1. Understanding Targeted Killing and Drones
    The Language of Killing
    Targeted Killing Today
    Drones: Their Nature and Use
    Remote Killing
    Legal, Policy, and Moral Concerns

    2. The Distant Contexts of the Debate
    Targeted Killing in the Classical World
    Targeted Killing and Ancient Israel
    Tyrannicide in the Christian Tradition
    Assassination

    3. The Proximate Context: Israel and the Intifada
    Israeli Public Debate
    The High Court of Justice
    Takeaways from the Israeli Experience

    4. The Immediate Context: The U.S. War on Terrorism
    The Obama Administration’s Policy
    A Public Killing
    A Public Hearing
    Speaking in Public
    The President’s Speech
    How Does an Individual Become a Target?
    How Is a Targeted Killing Implemented?
    Summing Up

    5. The Future Context: Addressing the Moral Issues
    Discrimination
    Imminence
    Death and Harm to Civilians
    Last Resort
    Strategic Success
    Perpetual War
    Bad Precedents
    Drones and Democracy
    Final Thoughts

    Notes
    Index
Reviews
Reviews
  • No single book can do everything, of course, and this one achieves much. Himes shakes readers awake to some of the most pressing issues surrounding drones and the ethics of targeted killing today.
    — Studies in Christian Ethics


    Ken Himes' latest book, Drones and the Ethics of Targeted Killing...represents what I hope will be the first of many steps toward re-shaping the discussion of the ethics, legality, and wisdom of contemporary military operations. . . .I recommend the book...because Himes is asking all the right questions. In the hard ethical work that lies before us, Drones and the Ethics of Targeted Killing represents a necessary and timely contribution.
    — Journal of Military Ethics


    Kenneth Himes has provided a balanced, well-researched, and readable guide to the issues. His central purpose is to bring just war theory to bear on the targeting of individuals who are not on active battlefields. An associate professor of theology at Boston College, Himes dedicates the book to the students he’s taught over the years, and that is fitting: it is the sort of book one would expect from a fair and dedicated teacher because it explains complex topics clearly and presents both sides of fraught moral debates.
    — The Christian Century


    In grappling so prudently with the ethics of new technologies that intersect with very old moral quandaries regarding the justification of targeted killing, H[imes] produces a veritable masterpiece of ethical analysis. . . .In meeting the challenge of adapting established principles to new global conditions that may alter our evaluation of the use of force, it is hard to imagine a more insightful guide than H[imes].
    — Theological Studies


    The chapters taken individually on the Christian tradition, the use of the just war tradition in public debate, US government policy in favour of drone use and ethical reflections on the US government’s use of drones each stand alone as solid introductions to their respective fields of enquiry.
    — Theology


    Himes’ approach is well organized, well researched, and clear. . . .Himes consistently asks and pursues the right questions. His book belongs in college libraries and on course syllabi.
    — Horizons: The Journal of the College Theology Society


    Himes has written a broadly designed, strategically precise, and morally insightful analysis of two major issues in U.S. policy: targeted killings and drones. Both topics yield intense debate in the United States and around the world; the intensity of the debate at times obscures the issues or fails to provide sufficient breadth of analysis. Himes’s work provides a remedy. Two principal characteristics of this work are its lucidity and fairness in addressing contested questions. Himes draws in detail on technical and strategic literature and combines this with moral and legal analysis. While much of the book is focused on the wars since 9-11, Himes recognizes that both of his topics will extend into the future because of the nature of contemporary conflicts. The book deserves a wide audience and is guaranteed a long shelf life.
    — J. Bryan Hehir, Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor of the Practice of Religion and Public Life, Harvard Kennedy School of Government


    The ethics of war is often accused of neither anticipating future fighting technologies nor keeping up with current developments in arms and tactics. Although I wish this book had been around at least a decade ago, it is definitely better a tad late than never! With Drones and the Ethics of Targeted Killing, Kenneth R. Himes provides the most up-to-date and thorough treatment of drones and their use for targeted killings. The book displays historical breadth—probing the ethics of various types of targeted killing, including tyrannicide and assassination—from the ancient world to the present day. It also possesses depth—exploring the nature and use of drones, with particular and detailed attention given to Israel and the Intifada and the U.S. policy of using drones in its war against terrorists. For anyone interested in a careful moral evaluation, offered by one of today's leading ethicists, of drone usage as a kind of targeted killing, this is a must-read.
    — Tobias Winright, Hubert Mäder Chair of Health Care Ethics, Saint Louis University


    In his analysis of the emerging discourse of targeted killing, Kenneth R. Himes carefully examines the blurring of categories traditionally used for the justification of political killings—the paradigm of law enforcement and the just war tradition. This book will serve as an important source for anybody interested in the history and political-ethical context of killing in the political sphere.
    — Hille Haker, Richard A. McCormick, SJ, Chair of Catholic Moral Theology, Loyola University Chicago


Features
Features
  • Filled with powerful real life stories about the impact of drones and targeted killings—from international politics to the impact on pilots

    Introduces readers to the basics of drone warfare

    Provides an overview of the history of targeted killings—from ancient times to contemporary Israel–Palestine

    Discusses conflicting responses to the use of drones for targeted killings from sources such as the UN, the media, within the military, the National Security Agency, and more

    Draws on the legacy of Christian ethics and the just war tradition to examine the ethics of drones today

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