Ethics, Law and Military Operations

While there are many legal textbooks on the laws of armed conflict and academic works on ethical issues in international relations, this is the first text on the relevance of legal and normative issues in military practice. It covers the entire spectrum of military operations and is written with military deicision-makers particularly in mind.

“'Displaying a rare combination of intellectual rigour and practical wisdom, this highly recommended volume shows how the interplay of law and ethics affects and constrains the planning and execution of modern military campaigns.' - Don Carrick, Military Ethics Education Network, University of Hull 'Engaging with and developing a genuine understanding of ethical and legal principles is an essential part of professional military education. I therefore welcome this timely contribution.' - General Sir David Richards 'This book is.. warmly welcomed as a teaching aid to military ethics, helpfully bringing together in one volume essays by both military practitioners and academics... The essays are readable, thought-provoking and illuminated throughout with practical examples drawn from recent operational experience.' - David Fisher, BAR”

'Displaying a rare combination of intellectual rigour and practical wisdom, this highly recommended volume shows how the interplay of law and ethics affects and constrains the planning and execution of modern military campaigns.'

• Don Carrick, Military Ethics Education Network, University of Hull

'Engaging with and developing a genuine understanding of ethical and legal principles is an essential part of professional military education. I therefore welcome this timely contribution.'

• General Sir David Richards

'This book is.. warmly welcomed as a teaching aid to military ethics, helpfully bringing together in one volume essays by both military practitioners and academics... The essays are readable, thought-provoking and illuminated throughout with practical examples drawn from recent operational experience.' - David Fisher, BAR

Edited By David Whetham

Public anger at perceived ethical and legal failures in recent wars has reinforced the importance of understanding military ethics. Ethics, Law and Military Operations is one of the first texts to examine both the ethical and the legal considerations of contemporary military conflict. It adopts a practical approach to explore the ways in which legal and normative issues combine to affect the entire spectrum of military operations, from high-intensity conflict to peacekeeping activities and the provision of humanitarian aid. With an operational perspective in mind, this text delivers accessible frameworks for evaluating and applying fundamental legal and ethical concepts. Written by an international team of military practitioners and academics, this book provides interdisciplinary insights into the major issues facing military decision-makers. The first half of the book explores the ethical and legal underpinnings of warfare. Later chapters use case studies to examine specific issues in the contemporary operating environment.

Public anger at perceived ethical and legal failures in recent wars has reinforced the importance of understanding military ethics. Ethics, Law and Military Operations is one of the first texts to examine both the ethical and the legal considerations of contemporary military conflict. It adopts a practical approach to explore the ways in which legal and normative issues combine to affect the entire spectrum of military operations, from high-intensity conflict to peacekeeping activities and the provision of humanitarian aid. With an operational perspective in mind, this text delivers accessible frameworks for evaluating and applying fundamental legal and ethical concepts. Written by an international team of military practitioners and academics, this book provides interdisciplinary insights into the major issues facing military decision-makers. The first half of the book explores the ethical and legal underpinnings of warfare. Later chapters use case studies to examine specific issues in the contemporary operating environment.

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