Targeted Killing: Self-Defense, Preemption, and the War on Terrorism [Paperback]

Thomas B. Hunter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 24, 2009

Targeted Killing: Self-Defense, Preemption, and the War on Terrorism by Thomas Hunter presents a reasoned, impeccably researched, and multi-faceted analysis of the tactic of targeted killing assessing its role, efficacy, and appropriateness in the current world political and military climate. Target killing is just one available option to national governments in their varied arsenals of state-sponsored strategies and tactics for fighting terrorism. Nevertheless, it is one of the most controversial and logistically dangerous options a government can exercise in preemptive strikes against real and current threats to national security. Author Hunter skillfully maneuvers through the moral, military, political, and tactical issues that can both cloud and clarify a government’s implementation of state-sponsored targeted killing. Written with an expert and precise understanding of the issue, Targeted Killing offers an objective and indispensable perspective on a contentious and timely debate.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Hunter's Targeted Killing is a brief treatise on the concept of "targeted killing" and how it fits into foreign-policy strategy. Weighing in at just over 100 pages, Hunter's book reads much like an advanced paper on foreign policy from a think tank or a professional journal. That's partly because the author has written for professional foreign-policy journals, and has been a foreign-policy professional as an intelligence analyst with the Defense Intelligence Agency. He also holds a master's degree in "unconventional warfare" from the American Military University. It's also partly due to Hunter's objective, which is to write about a potentially divisive topic in a dispassionate, informative manner. The author does not judge his topic emotionally, but as a practical tool in terms of foreign-policy strategy. Targeted killing, as Hunter defines it, is a "purely defensive act," and more specifically, "the premeditated, preemptive, and intentional killing of an individual or individuals known or believed to represent a present and/or future threat to the safety and security of a state through affiliation with terrorist groups or individuals." Hunter differentiates this from assassination, which he defines as more of a political act. The author cites examples from Britain, Israel, and elsewhere in the Middle East of successful and unsuccessful accounts of targeted killing. He concludes is that it's effective in a tactical and operational sense, but limited in terms of overall strategy, with risks political and practical. It may slow down a terrorist organization, for example, but also allows them to use the killing as a recruiting tool. It may also isolate a state politically. Hunter lays out his case in a fairly simple, straightforward manner, although his academic language is not necessarily aimed at the casual reader. As such, by nature of its subject and execution, it lacks mass appeal. Clear and concise analysis presented in practical, dispassionate terms. --Kirkus Discoveries Review

About the Author

"Thomas B. Hunter served as an intelligence analyst with the Defense Intelligence Agency specializing in Homeland Security, Detainee Support, and Latin American narcoterrorism. While serving in the Weapons and Tactics Branch, Mr. Hunter specialized in analysis of terrorist tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP). Mr. Hunter has written for such publications as Jane’s Intelligence Review, Jane’s International Police Review, and U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings. He has published over 100 articles on a variety of counterterrorism and security subjects and served as the editor of the Journal of Strategic Security and the Journal of Counterterrorism and Homeland Security International. Mr. Hunter holds a Masters Degree in Unconventional Warfare from the American Military University, a Masters Degree in International Security Studies from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, and an undergraduate degree in English and American Literature from the University of Southern California."

Product Details

• Paperback: 106 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing; 1st edition (October 24, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 143925205X
• ISBN-13: 978-1439252055
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #975,136 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

CURRICULUM VITAE

Thomas Byron Hunter, MA, M.Litt.
Email: [e-mail]

Experience:

December 2009 to Present
Intelligence Analyst, Department of Homeland Security, Laguna Niguel, CA
* Responsible for performing analytical duties as requited pertaining to U.S. border security and related issues.

November 2008 to Present
Adjunct Professor, Henley-Putnam University
* Teaching graduate-level courses in subjects pertaining to national and strategic security. Courses include Terrorist Group Dynamics and Criminal Kidnapping Strategies/Tactics.

November 2008 to Present
Freelance Writer/Editor
* Freelance writer on subjects pertaining to international terrorism, counterterrorism, piracy, special operations, and related subjects.
* Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Strategic Security. Henley-Putnam University. 2008-2009.

June 2008 to October 2008
Senior Intelligence Analyst, SRA International, Newport Beach, CA
* Sole analyst responsible for monitoring open source reporting to assess potential terrorist incidents, create risk assessments, and provide finished intelligence reporting. Specific areas of concern included water infrastructure, disaster monitoring, and emergency contingency planning for the U.S., Australia, and Canada.

June 2002 to April 2007
Intelligence Analyst (Counterterrorism), Defense Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC.
* October 2006 to April 2007 (40 hours per week)
Homeland Branch, Americas Division
Responsible for writing, editing, and proofreading all-source intelligence analysis examining potential terrorist threats to the U.S. Collateral duty includes providing daily terrorism threat brief to Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense Paul McHale
* January 2003 to October 2006 (45 hours per week)
Weapons Branch, Capabilities and Tactics Division
Responsible for providing all-source intelligence analysis examining terrorist tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP).
* December 2002 to January 2003 (45 hours per week)
Detainee Support Cell, Rest of the World (ROW) Div.
Responsible for conducting research into detainees then held by U.S. authorities and determining possible connections to terrorist activities.
* October to December 2002 (50 hours per week)
Domestic Terrorism Branch, ROW Div.
Responsible for providing all-source intelligence analysis examining potential terrorist threats to the U.S.
* June to October 2002 (45 hours per week)
Americas Branch, ROW Div.
Responsible for providing all-source intelligence analysis assessing potential terrorist threats throughout Central and South America.

November 2001 to June 2002 - 40 hours per week
Intelligence Analyst (Counterdrug), Defense Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC.
* Caribbean and Latin America
Responsible for providing all-source intelligence analysis examining the illicit shipments of drugs from Latin America to the U.S.

June 2000 to October 2001- 32 hours per week
Intelligence Analyst (Counterdrug and Geopolitical), U.S. Coast Guard, Atlantic Area Command, Portsmouth, VA.
* Latin America, Caribbean, U.S. Eastern Seaboard
Responsible for providing all-source intelligence analysis examining the illicit shipments of drugs from Latin America to the U.S. Gulf and East Coasts

May 1998 to September 2001
Contributing Writer, Jane's Intelligence Review, Jane's Pointer.
* Conducted research, analysis and writing of articles related to intelligence, counterproliferation, terrorism, counterterrorism, and special operations forces.

Associate Editor and Contributing Writer, Journal of Counterterrorism and Security International.
* Conducted research, analysis and writing of articles related to counterproliferation, terrorism, counterterrorism, and special operations forces.

Education (chronological):

* Ph.D. graduate studies (ongoing), Strategic Security, Henley-Putnam University, San Jose, CA (online program). 4.0 GPA (President's List) Expected graduation date: Winter 2010.
* Part-time graduate study at Joint Military Intelligence College, Washington, D.C., in Master of Science of Strategic Intelligence (MSSI) program. 2006-2007.
* M.Litt., International Security Studies, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Scotland (UK). 2005.
* M.A., National Security Studies, American Military University, Manassas, VA. 2001.
* B.A., English and American Literature, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. 1990

Awards:

* Intelligence Community Counterterrorism Studies Fellowship, 2004-2005
* JITF-CT Award for Consistent Excellence and Outstanding Performance, November 2004 to March 2005
* Directors Annual Agency Team Award (JITF-CT), 2002, 2003, 2004
* Certificate of Appreciation, U.S. Secret Service, 2003
* Letter of Recognition, Central Intelligence Agency (Chief, Threat Management Unit), 2003
* Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Support, Combined Federal Campaign, 2002
* National Leadership Award, International Association of Counterterrorism and Security Professionals, 1999

Memberships and Affiliations:

* Member, International MENSA
* Advisory Board, Operational Studies.Com
* Member, Defense Intelligence Alumni Association
* Member, International Association of Counterterrorism and Security Professionals (IACSP)
* Member, Friends of Special Operations Forces (FSOF)
* Lifetime Member, Night Stalker (Task Force 160) Association
* Member, U.S. Naval Institute

Foreign Travel: Israel, Kenya, Mexico, Panama, United Kingdom.

Writing Samples: Available upon request.

List of Publications: Available upon request.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A primer for a tough subject, November 30, 2009

By 

Barbara "ouma geek" (Seneca, SC, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Targeted Killing: Self-Defense, Preemption, and the War on Terrorism (Paperback)

Except for the use of torture in interrogating terrorist prisoners, no other topic in the field of counterterrorism generates as much heated controversy and debate as "targeted killing." In this small but comprehensive book Thomas Hunter provides counterterrorism scholars, analysts, and experts with a much needed primer that defines, explains and discusses the practice of targeted killing. Hunter begins by distingushing the difference between assassination, which he defines as the premeditated killing of a prominent person for political or ideological reasons, and targeted killing, which he asserts is a valid method of state self-defence in the war on terrorism. Despite a number of serious legal and moral issues raised by opponents of targeted killing, Hunter makes a well reasoned, clearly articulated and altogether persuasive case for using it as a defensive tactic against terrorist threats. Backed by exhaustive research, he explores the legal and moral issues involved, the position of the United Nations on a state's right to self-defense and preemption, and includes a sensible discussion of how targeted killing may be used to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction. Hunter also reviews several case studies of targeted killing by the US, Israel, and Great Britain. In addition he provides a most useful appendix of selected international instances of targeted killing between 1973 and 2004. Soon after taking office, President Barack Obama quickly made clear that his administration intended to continue the policy of targeted killing, primarily through the use of unmanned armed drone aircraft, against radical muslim terrorists in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the border areas of Pakistan. This policy is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future thus making Thomas Hunter's seminal book a required tool for understanding the growing complexity of the struggle against terrorism.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended... this is a great book!, November 18, 2009

By 

E. Werner - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Targeted Killing: Self-Defense, Preemption, and the War on Terrorism (Paperback)

I don't normally post reviews, but I wanted to take a minute to recommend this book. Like most folks, I follow the news on a daily basis, whether on CNN, BBC, or the local news. But, I often find that some of the stories pertaining to terrorism/terrorist attacks seem to raise more questions than provide answers. I am often wondering who these groups are, where do they operate, why do they do what they do, and most importantly, what policies could we implement to counter-act these terrorist groups and their activities. This book goes a long way to explaining one aspect of that - the targeting of specific terrorists in order to stop specific incidents from occurring. While the author admits that this counterterrorism policy (for lack of a better term) isn't always the correct solution, the argument he presents did get me thinking a lot about this aspect of fighting terrorism. I recommend this book wholeheartedly - hopefully people will grab a copy so that we can all have some better insight into countering terrorism. Highly recommended!!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative, November 19, 2009

By 

Ellen H. Mai "E." (So Cal) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Targeted Killing: Self-Defense, Preemption, and the War on Terrorism (Paperback)

I recently read this book while on an overseas trip and wanted to commend the author on presenting this subject to the public in such a straightforward yet insightful manner. Obviously, the author seems quite qualified to write on this subject, which is one of the main reasons I ordered it - and I was not disappointed! I have often wondered how and why governments "go after" certain terrorists (like Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Iraq) and this book goes a very long way to explaining the whole of the subject matter. I have already recommended this to friends as a great resource for information as to how the US (and other countries) fight the war on terrorism.