Aerial Targeting and the Laws of War: A Socio-Legal Study of the Achievement of Compliance

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Alexander P. Holder (University of Liverpool, UK)

Aerial Targeting and the Laws of War

A Socio-Legal Study of the Achievement of Compliance

Alexander P. Holder (University of Liverpool, UK)

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Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Routledge
30 September 2025

Sociology; International relations; Warfare & defence; International law

Series: Directions in Ethnomethodology and Conversation Analysis

A ground-breaking socio-legal investigation of the in situ legal considerations involved in targeting and the use of force, Aerial Targeting and the Laws of War develops a new kind of evidence base for international action relating to the protection of civilians.

Investigating the materials surrounding a civilian casualty incident that took place in Afghanistan in 2010, the book explores how a single strike – which was conducted in light of intelligence gathered by a militarised drone crew and resulted in the deaths of at least 15 civilians – became a lawful strike, that is, a strike that was deemed to have been compliant with the laws of war both at the point at which munitions were released and following two internal investigations. Through an ethnomethodological engagement with the transcripts, interviews, reports, and other materials associated with the incident, Alexander P. Holder examines the methods by which military personnel produce and maintain legitimate targets for the use of force.

Re-focusing debates surrounding civilian harm upon the praxeological details of the military practices, which generate such harms, this book will appeal to scholars of sociology, military studies, and socio-legal studies with interests in the rules of war and ethnomethodological approaches to research.

By: Alexander P. Holder (University of Liverpool UK)
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
Weight: 453g
ISBN: 9781032608747
ISBN 10: 1032608749
Series: Directions in Ethnomethodology and Conversation Analysis
Pages: 206
Publication Date: 30 September 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Alexander P. Holder is an ethnomethodologist based in Edinburgh, UK.