The Contemporary Law of Targeting: Military Objectives, Proportionality and Precautions in Attack Under Additional Protocol I (International Humanitarian Law, 25)

Armed conflict is about using force to achieve goals. As international humanitarian law regulates the means and methods that a belligerent may adopt to achieve its goals, there will inevitably be disagreements over the interpretation of that law. As for the rules that regulate targeting, the main difficulties arise over what is a lawful target and what is proportional collateral damage. This book provides a detailed analysis of those issues. Also, a chapter is dedicated to considering how United Nations Security Council sanctioning of participation in an armed conflict might affect the range of lawful targets available to a belligerent. Finally, a process is described by which legal responsibility for targeting decisions can be assessed in a complex decision-making environment. What is the law applicable to targeting? -- Lawful non-human targets -- Lawful human targets -- Effects-based operations and controversial military objectives -- United Nations operations : does the law of targeting differ? -- Precautions in attack -- Proportionality -- Who owns the bomb? -- Conclusions and implications Introduction What is the law applicable to targeting? Lawful non-human targets Lawful human targets Effects-based operations and controversial military objectives United Nations operations : does the law of targeting differ? Precautions in attack Proportionality Who owns the bomb? Conclusions and implications. This book provides an analysis of the law of targeting during an armed conflict; focusing on what is a lawful target, what is proportional collateral damage, and describing a process by which legal responsibility for targeting decisions can be assessed. Cover sub-title : "Military objectives, proportionality and precautions in attack under additional Protocol I."