Cover; Title Page; Copyright Page; Table of Contents; Acknowledgements; List of abbreviations; 1 Introduction; 1.1 The problem; 1.2 The scope; 1.2.1 The concept and the definition; 1.2.2 The practice; 1.3 Issues beyond the scope of this study; 1.4 Structure; 1.5 Definitions and clarifications; 1.6 Conclusion; PART I The concept and definition of military objective; 2 The concept of military objective; Part A: historical origins; 2.1 Pre-1923 treaty law (1863-1922); 2.2 The approach to military objectives of the 1923 Hague Rules of Air Warfare
2.3 The pre-Second World War influence of the 1923 Hague Rules and Second World War practice2.4 Developments after the Second World War; Part B: the 1977 definition of military objective; 2.5 Definition of the concept in API; 2.5.1 Shaping the concept before the conference; 2.5.2 Applicability of the definition; 2.5.3 The elements and general characteristics of the definition; 2.5.4 Customary status of the definition; 2.5.5 Latitude and flexibility; 2.6 Conclusion; 3 Nature, location, use and purpose; 3.1 Nature; 3.1.1 The scope of objects; 3.1.2 Contemporary debates
3.1.3 State and political leadership infrastructure3.2 Location; 3.3 Use; 3.4 Purpose; 3.5 Conclusion; 4 Effective contribution to military action; 4.1 Effective contribution; 4.2 Contribution to military action; 4.3 Problematic effective contribution to military action; 4.3.1 Targets in economic warfare; 4.3.2 War-sustaining and war-fighting effort (capability); 4.4 Conclusion; 5 Definite military advantage; 5.1 The relationship between the two main parts of the definition; 5.2 Pursuit of a definite military advantage; 5.2.1 Military advantage
5.2.2 The assessment of military advantage in the context of an attack 'as a whole'5.3 Definite military advantage; 5.4 Conclusion; 6 Methods of achieving military advantage; 6.1 Methods of achieving military advantage; 6.1.1 Destruction; 6.1.2 Capture; 6.1.3 Neutralization; 6.2 Circumstances ruling at the time; 6.2.1 Knowledge and information available at the time of attack; 6.2.2 Changing or evolving circumstances; 6.2.3 The targets of opportunity; 6.3 Conclusion; 7 Problematic cases; 7.1 State and political leadership infrastructure; 7.2 Civilian morale
7.3 TV and radio broadcasting facilities7.4 Objects involved in the commission of international crimes; 7.5 Conclusion; PART II Operationalisation of the definition of military objective; 8 Military doctrine and international law; Part A: military doctrine; 8.1 Fathers of modern targeting theories; 8.2 The role of doctrine in military operations; 8.2.1 Structure of the sources of doctrine; 8.2.2 Doctrinal interoperability; 8.3 Doctrinal perspectives on levels of warfare; 8.3.1 Strategy and strategic military doctrine; 8.3.2 Operational level framework; 8.3.3 Tactical level of warfare
Summary
The concept that certain objects and persons may be legitimately attacked during armed conflicts has been well recognised and developed through the history of warfare. This book explores the relationship between international law and targeting practice in determining whether an object is a lawful military target. By examining both the interpretation and its post-ratification application this book provides a comprehensive analysis of the definition of military objective adopted in 1977 Additional Protocol I to the four 1949 Geneva Conventions and its use in practice. Tackling topical issues such
Notes
Part B: the relationship between military doctrine and the law
