Drones and the ethics of targeted killing

1. Understanding targeted killing and drones

The language of killing

Targeted killing today

Drones: Their nature and use

Remote killing

Legal, policy, and moral concerns.

2. The distant contexts of the debate

Targeted killing in the classical world

Targeted killing and ancient Israel

Tyrannicide in the Christian tradition

Assassination.

3. The proximate context: Israel and the Intifada

Israeli public debate

The high court of justice

Takeaways from the Israeli experience.

4. The immediate context: The U.S. war on terrorism

The Obama Administration's policy

A public killing

A public hearing

Speaking in public

The President's speech

How does an individual become a target?

How is a targeted killing implemented?

Summing up.

5. The future context: Addressing the moral issues

Discrimination

Imminence

Death and harm to civilians

Last resort

Strategic success

Perpetual war

Bad precedents

Drones and democracy

Final thoughts.