Saving Soldiers Or Civilians? - Casualty-Aversion Versus Civilian Protection in Asymmetric Conflicts

There is a dilemma facing the US in asymmetric conflicts. Balancing concern for the lives of soldiers and innocent civilians has opened new areas of vulnerability that have been systematically exploited by non-state adversaries. Kaempf examines how the resulting trade-off is forcing decision-makers to have to choose between these two norms.

List of contents

Introduction; 1. US warfare and civilian protection; 2. US warfare and casualty-aversion; 3. The interactive dynamics of asymmetric conflicts; 4. Case study I: the US intervention in Somalia; 5. Case study II: the US war in Afghanistan; 6. Case study III: the US war in Iraq; Conclusion.

About the author

Sebastian Kaempf is Senior Lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies at the School of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Queensland. His research interests are in international security, peace and conflict studies, the ethics and the laws of war, and the impact of digital new media technology on contemporary security. He has won an Australian national award for teaching excellence (AAUT) and is the convener of the massive open online course (MOOC) 'MediaWarX'.

Summary

There is a dilemma facing the US in asymmetric conflicts. Balancing concern for the lives of soldiers and innocent civilians has opened new areas of vulnerability that have been systematically exploited by non-state adversaries. Kaempf examines how the resulting trade-off is forcing decision-makers to have to choose between these two norms.

Product details

• Authors: Sebastian Kaempf, Sebastian (University of Queensland) Kaempf
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.10.2021
• EAN: 9781108446655
• ISBN: 978-1-108-44665-5
• No. of pages: 304
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political education; USA, POLITICAL SCIENCE / International Relations / General, International Relations, United States of America, USA, Peace studies and conflict resolution, Peace studies & conflict resolution, War and defence operations, War & defence operations