Saving Soldiers or Civilians?: Casualty-Aversion versus Civilian Protection in Asymmetric Conflicts

The article discusses the dilemma of Western warfare between protecting soldiers and civilians, which has been exploited by non-state adversaries. Sebastian Kaempf examines the US conflicts in Somalia, Afghanistan, and Iraq and assesses the legal, moral, and strategic consequences of the US's responses.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The protection of soldiers and innocent civilians has become a central concern in Western, particularly American, warfare. However, this new approach to conflict presents a challenging dilemma: while these norms aim to safeguard lives, they have also created new vulnerabilities that non-state adversaries have eagerly exploited. This strategic behavior creates a trade-off, forcing decision-makers to prioritize the safety of soldiers or civilians in target states. In his insightful analysis, Sebastian Kaempf delves into the origin and nature of this dilemma, examining in detail the US conflicts in Somalia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Through a comprehensive assessment of the US responses, Kaempf evaluates the legal, moral, and strategic implications of these decisions. This book will be of immense interest to scholars and students of military and strategic studies, international relations, and peace and conflict studies, as it sheds light on whether the US or its adversaries have successfully navigated this critical dilemma of contemporary warfare.

The protection of soldiers and innocent civilians has become a central concern in Western, particularly American, warfare.

However, this new approach to conflict presents a challenging dilemma: while these norms aim to safeguard lives, they have also created new vulnerabilities that non-state adversaries have eagerly exploited.

This strategic behavior creates a trade-off, forcing decision-makers to prioritize the safety of soldiers or civilians in target states.

In his insightful analysis, Sebastian Kaempf delves into the origin and nature of this dilemma, examining in detail the US conflicts in Somalia, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Through a comprehensive assessment of the US responses, Kaempf evaluates the legal, moral, and strategic implications of these decisions.

This book will be of immense interest to scholars and students of military and strategic studies, international relations, and peace and conflict studies, as it sheds light on whether the US or its adversaries have successfully navigated this critical dilemma of contemporary warfare.

Weight: 452g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108446655