Overview

Rule of Law in War places international law at the centre of the transformation of United States counterinsurgency (COIN) that occurred during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. It claims international law matters more than is often assumed and more than we have previously been able to claim, contradicting existing theoretical assumptions. In particular, the book contends international law matters in a case that may be regarded as particularly tough for international law, that is, the development of a key military doctrine, the execution of that doctrine on the battlefield, and the ultimate conduct of armed conflict. To do so, the book traces international law's influence in the construction of modern U.S. COIN doctrine, specifically, Field Manual 3-24, Counterinsurgency, released by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps in December 2006. It then assesses how international law's doctrinal interaction held up in Iraq and Afghanistan. The account of this doctrinal change is based on extensive access to the primary actors and materials, including FM 3-24's drafting history, field documents, and interviews with military officers of various ranks who have served multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Full Product Details

9780198716396

Table of Contents

Reviews

A compelling, thoughtful, superbly written, and exhaustively researched examination of the interaction of law and the conduct of counterinsurgency operationsthe best contemporary study I have seen on this topic. General David H. Petraeus, U.S. Army (Retired), former commander of coalition forces in both Iraq and Afghanistan and former Director of the CIA. Through remarkable diligence, Travers McLeod gained access to unique sources that allow him to provide the clearest description to date of the intellectual currents and controversies that shaped FM 3-24 and made it so revolutionary for the American military. It is a first class piece of social science analysis and intellectual history. Conrad Crane, lead author of the 2006 version of FM 3-24. Does international law influence and constrain militaries as they fight wars? How? And how would we know? McLeods Rule of Law in War tackles these crucial questions through the lens of the US Armys Field Manual on counterinsurgency (FM 3-24) that guided the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Drawing on an extraordinary array of interviews and archival materials, McLeod provides a sophisticated and probing analysis laws vital role in both shaping US military doctrine, and in the way it was implemented on the ground. Rule of Law in War is essential reading for anyone interested in the changing nature of war fighting in the twenty-first century. Professor Martha Finnemore, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, George Washington University. Does international law matter, and if so how? Are its effects marginal, or does it affect the high politics of international affairs: national security and the conduct of war? The Rule of Law in War is must read for everyone interested in these key questions. Through path-breaking and painstaking primary research, Travers McLeod details the influence on international law on United States counterinsurgency doctrine, showing how through three pathways it shaped Field Manuel 3-24 and its implementation in Iraq and Afghanistan. With unprecedented access to the doctrines key architects, as well as the full drafting history, McLeod opens a unique window on international laws impact. A wonderful read, bursting with insight.

Does international law matter, and if so how? Are its effects marginal, or does it affect the high politics of international affairs: national security and the conduct of war? Rule of Law in War is a must read for everyone interested in these key questions. Through path-breaking and painstaking primary research, Travers McLeod details the influence of international law on US counterinsurgency doctrine, showing how through three pathways it shaped Field Manual 3-24 and its implementation in Iraq and Afghanistan. With unprecedented access to the doctrine's key architects, as well as the full drafting history, McLeod opens a unique window on international law's impact. A wonderful read, bursting with insight. * Professor Christian Reus-Smit, Professor of International Relations, University of Queensland * Does international law influence and constrain militaries as they fight wars? How? And how would we know? McLeod's Rule of Law in War tackles these crucial questions through the lens of the US Armyas Field Manual on counterinsurgency that guided the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Drawing on an extraordinary array of interviews and archival materials, McLeod provides a sophisticated and probing analysis of lawas vital role in both shaping US military doctrine, and in the way it was implemented on the ground. Rule of Law in War is essential reading for anyone interested in the changing nature of war fighting in the twenty-first century. * Professor Martha Finnemore, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, George Washington University * Through remarkable diligence, Travers McLeod gained access to unique sources that allow him to provide the clearest description to date of the intellectual currents and controversies that shaped FM 3-24 and made it so revolutionary for the American military. It is a first class piece of social science analysis and intellectual history. * Dr Conrad Crane, lead author of the 2006 version of FM 3-24 * A compelling, thoughtful, superbly written, and exhaustively researched examination of the interaction of law and the conduct of counterinsurgency operations-the best contemporary study I have seen on this topic. * General David H. Petraeus, US Army (Retired), former commander of coalition forces in both Iraq and Afghanistan and former Director of the CIA * McLeod should be congratulated for showing how questions in the philosophy of law can be illuminated by empirical studies. Scholars and practitioners of modern war should be familiar with his book. * David Bentley, International Affairs * fascinating account for anyone interested in the minutiae of counterinsurgency (COIN) doctrine and strategy and, in particular, how they relate to combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. * Marika Sosnowski, LSEblog * To judge by this admirable study, originating in a doctoral thesis, policy development should be in safe hands out there ... McLeod should be congratulated for showing how questions in the philosophy of law can be illuminated by empirical studies. Scholars and practitioners of modern war should be familiar with his book. * David Bentley, Governance, Law and Ethics * McLeod should be congratulated for showing how questions in the philosophy of law can be illuminated by empirical studies. Scholars and practitioners of modern war should be familiar with his book. It is sometimes hard going, but the argument is firmly based on three simple questions. What does FM 3-24 prescribe? How did that come about? Has the manual changed things? * International Affairs *

A compelling, thoughtful, superbly written, and exhaustively researched examination of the interaction of law and the conduct of counterinsurgency operations-the best contemporary study I have seen on this topic. General David H. Petraeus, US Army (Retired), former commander of coalition forces in both Iraq and Afghanistan and former Director of the CIA Through remarkable diligence, Travers McLeod gained access to unique sources that allow him to provide the clearest description to date of the intellectual currents and controversies that shaped FM 3-24 and made it so revolutionary for the American military. It is a first class piece of social science analysis and intellectual history. Dr Conrad Crane, lead author of the 2006 version of FM 3-24 Does international law influence and constrain militaries as they fight wars? How? And how would we know? McLeod's Rule of Law in War tackles these crucial questions through the lens of the US Armyas Field Manual on counterinsurgency that guided the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Drawing on an extraordinary array of interviews and archival materials, McLeod provides a sophisticated and probing analysis of lawas vital role in both shaping US military doctrine, and in the way it was implemented on the ground. Rule of Law in War is essential reading for anyone interested in the changing nature of war fighting in the twenty-first century. Professor Martha Finnemore, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, George Washington University Does international law matter, and if so how? Are its effects marginal, or does it affect the high politics of international affairs: national security and the conduct of war? Rule of Law in War is a must read for everyone interested in these key questions. Through path-breaking and painstaking primary research, Travers McLeod details the influence of international law on US counterinsurgency doctrine, showing how through three pathways it shaped Field Manual 3-24 and its implementation in Iraq and Afghanistan. With unprecedented access to the doctrine's key architects, as well as the full drafting history, McLeod opens a unique window on international law's impact. A wonderful read, bursting with insight. Professor Christian Reus-Smit, Professor of International Relations, University of Queensland

McLeod should be congratulated for showing how questions in the philosophy of law can be illuminated by empirical studies. Scholars and practitioners of modern war should be familiar with his book. It is sometimes hard going, but the argument is firmly based on three simple questions. What does FM 3-24 prescribe? How did that come about? Has the manual changed things? International Affairs To judge by this admirable study, originating in a doctoral thesis, policy development should be in safe hands out there ... McLeod should be congratulated for showing how questions in the philosophy of law can be illuminated by empirical studies. Scholars and practitioners of modern war should be familiar with his book. David Bentley, Governance, Law and Ethics fascinating account for anyone interested in the minutiae of counterinsurgency (COIN) doctrine and strategy and, in particular, how they relate to combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Marika Sosnowski, LSEblog McLeod should be congratulated for showing how questions in the philosophy of law can be illuminated by empirical studies. Scholars and practitioners of modern war should be familiar with his book. David Bentley, International Affairs A compelling, thoughtful, superbly written, and exhaustively researched examination of the interaction of law and the conduct of counterinsurgency operations-the best contemporary study I have seen on this topic. General David H. Petraeus, US Army (Retired), former commander of coalition forces in both Iraq and Afghanistan and former Director of the CIA Through remarkable diligence, Travers McLeod gained access to unique sources that allow him to provide the clearest description to date of the intellectual currents and controversies that shaped FM 3-24 and made it so revolutionary for the American military. It is a first class piece of social science analysis and intellectual history. Dr Conrad Crane, lead author of the 2006 version of FM 3-24 Does international law influence and constrain militaries as they fight wars? How? And how would we know? McLeod's Rule of Law in War tackles these crucial questions through the lens of the US Armyas Field Manual on counterinsurgency that guided the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Drawing on an extraordinary array of interviews and archival materials, McLeod provides a sophisticated and probing analysis of lawas vital role in both shaping US military doctrine, and in the way it was implemented on the ground. Rule of Law in War is essential reading for anyone interested in the changing nature of war fighting in the twenty-first century. Professor Martha Finnemore, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, George Washington University Does international law matter, and if so how? Are its effects marginal, or does it affect the high politics of international affairs: national security and the conduct of war? Rule of Law in War is a must read for everyone interested in these key questions. Through path-breaking and painstaking primary research, Travers McLeod details the influence of international law on US counterinsurgency doctrine, showing how through three pathways it shaped Field Manual 3-24 and its implementation in Iraq and Afghanistan. With unprecedented access to the doctrine's key architects, as well as the full drafting history, McLeod opens a unique window on international law's impact. A wonderful read, bursting with insight. Professor Christian Reus-Smit, Professor of International Relations, University of Queensland

To judge by this admirable study, originating in a doctoral thesis, policy development should be in safe hands out there ... McLeod should be congratulated for showing how questions in the philosophy of law can be illuminated by empirical studies. Scholars and practitioners of modern war should be familiar with his book. David Bentley, Governance, Law and Ethics fascinating account for anyone interested in the minutiae of counterinsurgency (COIN) doctrine and strategy and, in particular, how they relate to combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Marika Sosnowski, LSEblog McLeod should be congratulated for showing how questions in the philosophy of law can be illuminated by empirical studies. Scholars and practitioners of modern war should be familiar with his book. David Bentley, International Affairs A compelling, thoughtful, superbly written, and exhaustively researched examination of the interaction of law and the conduct of counterinsurgency operations-the best contemporary study I have seen on this topic. General David H. Petraeus, US Army (Retired), former commander of coalition forces in both Iraq and Afghanistan and former Director of the CIA Through remarkable diligence, Travers McLeod gained access to unique sources that allow him to provide the clearest description to date of the intellectual currents and controversies that shaped FM 3-24 and made it so revolutionary for the American military. It is a first class piece of social science analysis and intellectual history. Dr Conrad Crane, lead author of the 2006 version of FM 3-24 Does international law influence and constrain militaries as they fight wars? How? And how would we know? McLeod's Rule of Law in War tackles these crucial questions through the lens of the US Armyas Field Manual on counterinsurgency that guided the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Drawing on an extraordinary array of interviews and archival materials, McLeod provides a sophisticated and probing analysis of lawas vital role in both shaping US military doctrine, and in the way it was implemented on the ground. Rule of Law in War is essential reading for anyone interested in the changing nature of war fighting in the twenty-first century. Professor Martha Finnemore, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, George Washington University Does international law matter, and if so how? Are its effects marginal, or does it affect the high politics of international affairs: national security and the conduct of war? Rule of Law in War is a must read for everyone interested in these key questions. Through path-breaking and painstaking primary research, Travers McLeod details the influence of international law on US counterinsurgency doctrine, showing how through three pathways it shaped Field Manual 3-24 and its implementation in Iraq and Afghanistan. With unprecedented access to the doctrine's key architects, as well as the full drafting history, McLeod opens a unique window on international law's impact. A wonderful read, bursting with insight. Professor Christian Reus-Smit, Professor of International Relations, University of Queensland

Author Information

Travers McLeod is the Chief Executive Officer at the Centre for Policy Development, an independent Australian policy think tank, an Honorary Fellow of the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne, and an Associate of the Oxford Martin School at the University of Oxford.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available