Is Remote Warfare Moral?: Weighing Issues of Life and Death from 7,000 Miles

An author with unique credentials of moral philosopher, Predator pilot, and Air Force officer probes the burning issue of remote warfare: is it the right thing to do and, if so, why?

In the 21st century, we have come to rely more on remote warfare--drone strikes, targeted killings, and other tactics--to conduct our military business and avoid sending "boots on the ground." And targeted killings of Iranian high government official General Qasem Soleimani and US citizen Anwar al-Awlaki have caused international outrage. Air Force Officer Joseph Chapa, who also has a doctorate in moral philosophy, takes a big step back and considers the most fundamental question: is it the right thing to do--and if so, why?

Chapa considers important moral issues such as:

• What justifies military violence? Is it just risk? Is it the defense of others?
• What are the implications of the distance between war and warfighter on questions about courage, loyalty, and military honor?
• How does remote warfare relate to what we often think of as traditional warfare?
• What principles should we use to evaluate its morality, especially as the crew applies human judgment in a morally complex combat environment?

We are at a historical inflection point as leading military powers are increasing the use of remote weapons, broadening the scope of targeted killing operations, and turning to artificial intelligence to control their weapons systems. Is Remote Warfare Moral? is an essential read to deal with the complexities of the future of war.

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: PublicAffairs
Published: 07/05/2022
ISBN: 9781541774452
Pages: 288

Review Citations: Publishers Weekly 05/09/2022