The Trouble with Targeted Killing
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6122005 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Stephanie Carvin (0000-0002-3745-1468, Royal Holloway University of London, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2012 |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 529-555 |
| Publication date | 2012-07-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Security Studies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0963-6412 • E-ISSN: 1556-1852 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/09636412.2012.706513 |
| OpenAlex | W1975690547 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 25 |
| References cited | 7 |
Is targeted killing an effective counterterrorism tactic? Several studies published in academic journals over the last decade differ over the answer. While some believe that it is effective as a tactic within a larger counterterrorism strategy, others believe that it has no effect or possibly a negative effect in countering terrorism. This paper argues that although current studies may be valuable for understanding the impact of targeted killing in specific case studies, they do not yet provide a basis for making general pronouncements on whether targeted killing is or is not an effective counterterrorism tactic. Problems include widely divergent definitions, a dearth of evidence, difficulties in measuring success, and the radical differences between case studies that make comparison and generalization a questionable exercise. However, while the evidence does not yet allow scholars, pundits, and policymakers to make general pronouncements on the effectiveness of targeted killing generally, it does provide grounds to begin a normative debate over whether such policies are appropriate. In addition, it suggests that researchers and policymakers should focus on gathering and improving empirical data to advance decision making on counter- terrorism tactics in the future, particularly on when targeted killing should or should not be employed
Economics · Empirical evidence · Epistemology · Law and economics · Normative · Political science · Positive economics · Public relations · Sociology · Terrorism · Law · Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence · Torture, Ethics, and Law · War, Ethics, and Justification
Lasting peace or temporary calm? Rebel group decapitation and civil war outcomes
American Landpower and the Middle East of 2030
Sneaking Under Cover
Too central to fail? Terror networks and leadership decapitation
Evaluating the impact of repeated leadership targeting on militant group durability
Far-Right and Jihadi Terrorism Within the United States
Drones, Afghanistan, and beyond
Successful for whom
Reporting beyond the pale
Just assassinations
The portrayal of drones in terrorist propaganda
Predictors of terrorist use of suicide attacks
International society’s challenge of targeted killing by drones
Predators and Peace
Conceptualising a protection of liberal constitutionalism post 9/11
The transformation of targeted killing and international order
The evolution of targeted killing practices
How Do Leadership Decapitation and Targeting Error Affect Suicide Bombings? The Case of Al-Shabaab
Separating Fact from Fiction in the Debate over Drone Proliferation
Drone Strikes and Grand Strategy
The Effectiveness of the Drone Campaign against Al Qaeda Central
The rise of targeted killing
Presidential Risk Orientation and Force Employment Decisions
Israeli targeted killing operations before and during the Second Intifada
Target Practice
| Unique citing works | 25 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1,79 |
| Citation span | 2012 - 2024 (13) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 25 |