The Ethics of Special Ops

Erscheinungsjahr 2023
ISBN: 978-1-009-29205-4
Verlag: Cambridge University Press

Buch, Englisch, 255 Seiten, Format (B × H): 152 mm x 229 mm, Gewicht: 499 g

The field of military ethics has generally been attentive to emerging trends in modern warfare. Cyber, robotics and AI, for example, have inspired an abundant and flourishing literature. One trend, however, has been largely overlooked: the emergence of special operations as a prominent instrument of statecraft. Drawing extensively on historical cases and first-hand experience, the authors of this book call attention to qualities inherent in special operations – and special operators – that challenge the moral framework which has long informed conventional military operations. Moral theorists will find this analysis provocative, while practitioners – those who conduct or oversee special operations and have an interest in the moral wellbeing of special operators – can put the authors' insights to practical use. Those who simply view with fascination the opaque world of special operations will find this book illuminating.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Baker, Deane-Peter

Herbert, Roger

Whetham, David

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Introduction; 2. Raids; 3. Recoveries; 4. Reconnaissance; 5. Rebels; 6. Not quite war: special operations and the Jus ad bellum convention; 7. Ethical armouring for special operations forces; Index.

Über Autor(innen)

Baker, Deane-Peter
Deane-Peter Baker is an Associate Professor in the School of Humanities and Social Science at UNSW Canberra, and a Senior Visiting Research Fellow in the Kings College London Centre for Military Ethics. He is a regular consultant on ethics to Australia's Special Operations Command.

Whetham, David
David Whetham is Professor of Ethics and the Military Profession at King's College London, based at the Defence Academy of the UK, and Visiting Professorial Fellow at UNSW Canberra. In 2020, he was appointed Assistant Inspector General of the Australian Defence Force, contributing to the Afghanistan Inquiry into allegations of war crimes committed by SOF personnel.

Herbert, Roger
Following a 26-year career as a US Naval Special Warfare Officer, Roger Herbert joined the faculty of the US Naval Academy, where he served until 2021 as the Robert T. Herres Distinguished Military Professor of Ethics. He is a Research Fellow with the Arizona State University Future Security Initiative.