The ethics of insurgency : a critical guide to just guerrilla warfare

As insurgencies rage, a burning question remains: how should insurgents fight technologically superior state armies? Commentators rarely ask this question because the catchphrase 'we fight by the rules, but they don't' is nearly axiomatic. But truly, are all forms of guerrilla warfare equally reprehensible? Can we think cogently about just guerrilla warfare? May guerrilla tactics such as laying improvised explosive devices (IEDs), assassinating informers, using human shields, seizing prisoners of war, conducting cyber strikes against civilians, manipulating the media, looting resources, or using nonviolence to provoke violence prove acceptable under the changing norms of contemporary warfare? The short answer is 'yes', but modern guerrilla warfare requires a great deal of qualification, explanation, and argumentation before it joins the repertoire of acceptable military behavior. Not all insurgents fight justly, but guerrilla tactics and strategies are also not always the heinous practices that state powers often portray them to be. Coverpage Half title page Title page Copyright page Dedication Contents List of Tables Preface List of Abbreviations 1 Just Guerrilla Warfare: Concepts and Cases Guerrillas and Insurgents The Ethics of Insurgency: A Brief Overview Cases and Examples: A Few Words Part I The Right to Fight 2 The Right to Fight: Just Cause and Legitimate Authority in Guerrilla Warfare The Right to Fight: Just Cause Just Cause, Self-Defense, and the Right to Fight Legitimate Authority and Guerrilla Warfare The Right to a Fighting Chance Going to War 3 The Right to Fight: Who Fights and How? Conscription: Building a Guerrilla Organization Fighting Well: The Right to Shed Uniforms Fighting Well: Noncombatant Immunity and Civilian Liability The Incentive to Obey the Law Part II Hard War 4 Large-Scale Conventional Guerrilla Warfare: Improvised Explosive Devices, Rockets, and Missiles Guns, Bombs, and IEDs Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) Rockets and Missiles Conventional Warfare and a Fighting Chance 5 Small-Scale Conventional Guerrilla Warfare: Targeted Killing and Taking Prisoners Assassination and Targeted Killing Prisoners of War Targeted Killing, Prisoners of War, and International Norms of Conduct 6 Human Shields Human Shields: Theory and Practice Harming Human Shields: Who Is Responsible? Human Shields and Free Riding Part III Soft War 7 Terrorism and Cyberterrorism Enemy and Compatriot Terrorism Permissible Attacks on Liable Civilians Sublethal, Nonlethal, and Cyber Weapons Rethinking Attacks on Civilians in Modern Warfare 8 Economic Warfare and the Economy of War Economic Warfare: Sanctions, Siege, and Blockade The Economy of Guerrilla War The Economic Dimensions of Just Guerrilla Warfare 9 Public Diplomacy, Propaganda, and Media Warfare Public Diplomacy, Propaganda, and Public Works Guerrilla Public Diplomacy Public Diplomacy, Ethics, and Jus in Bello The Status of Journalists and Media Facilities The Allure of Public Diplomacy 10 Civil Disobedience and Nonviolent Resistance Nonviolent Resistance Nonviolent Resistance in Guerrilla Warfare Hunger Striking and the Problem of Consent Last Resort, Nonviolence, and Guerrilla War Part IV Concluding Remarks 11 Just War and Liberal Guerrilla Theorizing The Practice of Just Guerrilla Warfare Enforcement and Compliance The Prospects for Just Guerrilla Warfare References Index As Insurgencies Rage, A Burning Question Remains: How Should Insurgents Fight Technologically Superior State Armies? Commentators Rarely Ask This Question Because The Catchprase We Fight By The Rules, But They Don't Is Nearly Axiomatic. But Truly, Are All Forms Of Guerrilla Warfare Equally Reprehensible? Can We Think Cogently About Just Guerrilla Warfare? May Guerrilla Tactics Such As Laying Improvised Explosive Devices (ied), Assassinating Informers, Using Human Shields, Seizing Prisoners Of War, Conducting Cyber Strikes Against Civilians, Manipulating The Media, Looting Resources, Or Using Nonviolence To Provoke Violence Prove Acceptable Under The Changing Norms Of Contemporary Warfare? The Short Answer Is Yes, But Modern Guerrilla Warfare Requires A Great Deal Of Qualification, Explanation, And Argumentation Before It Joins The Repertoire Of Acceptable Military Behavior. Not All Insurgents Fight Justly, But Guerrilla Tactics And Strategies Are Also Not Always The Heinous Practices That State Powers Often Portray Them To Be. -- From Back Cover. Just Guerrilla Warfare: Concepts And Cases -- The Right To Fight: Just Cause And Legitimate Authority In Guerrilla Warfare -- The Right To Fight: Who Fights And How? -- Large-scale Conventional Guerrilla Warfare: Improvised Explosive Devices, Rockets, And Missiles -- Small-scale Conventional Guerrilla Warfare: Targeted Killing And Taking Prisoners -- Human Shields -- Terrorism And Cyberterrorism -- Economic Warfare And The Economy Of War -- Public Diplomacy, Propaganda, And Media Warfare -- Civil Disobedience And Nonviolent Resistance -- Just War And Liberal Guerrilla Theorizing. Michael Gross, University Of Haifa. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The Ethics of Insurgency explains how guerrillas who pursue national self-determination may justly utilize many unlawful practices of war as long as they target military objectives, respect the rights of noncombatants and reject terrorism.