Leaders as Targets

Abstract

Targeting of threat leaders by military strikes is increasingly being touted as an option for crisis resolution. Operational and strategic level commanders face greater pressure than ever to employ this option. A survey of the legitimacy, capability, and efficacy of targeting enemy leaders shows that commanders have the right and ability to target threat leaders. However, the lack of positive effects for such targeting, both in theory and in practice, argues that commanders should not pursue this approach.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 06, 2002
Accession Number
ADA421631

Entities

People

  • Dieter Voelkel
  • Mark B. Chakwin
  • Scott Enright

Organizations

  • National Defense University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Center Of Gravity
  • Combat Operations
  • Governments
  • Information Systems
  • International Law
  • Law
  • Military Operations
  • National Security
  • New York
  • Political Systems
  • Second World War
  • Security
  • Terrorists
  • United States
  • United States Government
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Strategic Security Studies