This book investigates the complex intersection of international law and moral philosophy regarding the practice of targeted killings in the context of modern asymmetrical warfare. The authors, Andrew Altman, Claire Oakes Finkelstein, and Jens David Ohlin, leverage their expertise in legal theory and philosophy to dissect the justifications and prohibitions surrounding state-sanctioned lethal force against non-state actors. They present a rigorous framework that challenges conventional interpretations of the laws of war, specifically addressing how these rules apply when the distinction between combatant and civilian becomes increasingly obscured.

Experts in international law and political philosophy frequently cite this work as a rigorous examination of the ethical dilemmas inherent in modern counter-terrorism strategies. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which is well-suited for scholars and practitioners seeking a deep dive into the legal nuances of asymmetrical conflict.