Targeted Killing, An Option for the Operational Commander

This paper examines the viability of targeted killing as a tool for the operational commander. Targeted killing, not to be confused with assassination is the intentional slaying of a specific individual or group of individuals undertaken with explicit government approval. The author reviews current U.S. and international legal basis to illustrate the unclear context of targeted killing. Included is an examination of rules of self-defense and law of armed conflict related to the current Bush Doctrine of preemption. Following a historical review of U.S. actions, an analysis of targeted killing heads of state and transnational terrorists concludes that the U.S. should not target political leaders but should indeed target transnational terrorists. The author recommends that the planning and execution should be done at the operational level of war and makes recommendations to the operational commander for improving likelihood of success.