Overview

Conventional wisdom tells us that targeting civilians in civil wars makes little sense as a combat strategy. Yet, the indiscriminate violence continues. Why? To tackle this vexing question, Jürgen Brandsch looks closely at the on-the-ground impact of indiscriminate violence - and what he finds shows that there often is, in fact, a method to the madness. Making the provocative argument that slaughtering innocent civilians may be rational behavior on the part of the perpetrators, Brandsch provides an important piece in the puzzle of how to understand, and ultimately prevent, such atrocities. Published in association with the Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence, University of St Andrews.

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9781626378636

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An important examination of the dilemmas faced by perpetrators, whether governments or insurgents, in their use of indiscriminate violence targeting civilians in their wars. - Joshua Sinai, Perspectives on Terrorism Provides an in-depth look at the logic of 'indiscriminate' targeting of civilians in civil war.... A significant and important contribution. John P. Sullivan, Small Wars Journal In this path-breaking and meticulously argued book, the author comes to the disturbing conclusion that the coercive impact of targeting civilians indiscriminately can outweigh all other considerations. - Adrian Guelke, Queen's University Belfast.

An important examination of the dilemmas faced by perpetrators, whether governments or insurgents, in their use of indiscriminate violence targeting civilians in their wars. -Joshua Sinai, Perspectives on Terrorism

Author Information

Jürgen Brandsch is the head of the Project on Small Arms and Light Weapons Control at the Bonn International Center for Conversion, Germany.

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