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International law and the politics of urban air operations / Matthew C. Waxman

Author
Waxman, Matthew C., 1972-
Published
Santa Monica, CA : RAND, 2000.
Physical Description
xvii, 80 pages : illustrations ; 28 cm
Additional Creators
Project Air Force (U.S.), Rand Corporation, and United States. Air Force
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Summary
Urban environments pose many difficulties for those planning and conducting military operations within the boundaries of international law and self-imposed political constraints. Whereas the speed and agility of air power, plus its ability to deliver firepower precisely (and with relatively low risk to U.S. personnel), may make it the instrument of choice, the heightened risk of collateral damage when operating in urban environments partially offsets U.S. technological superiority. Recent U.S. and coalition operations in the Balkans and elsewhere have demonstrated the difficulty of target selection and of balancing the competing concerns of avoiding collateral damage, minimizing risk of U.S. casualties, and maximizing military effectiveness. Urban areas also provide adversaries with opportunities to use human shields and to propagandize civilian injuries, further offsetting some advantages of air power. The report discusses how continued technological advances in such areas as precision guidance and target identification may help alleviate some of the conflicting legal, political, and operational pressures facing planners, although they will not be a panacea. Advances may well bring new or tightened constraints on military operations.
Report Numbers
RAND/MR-1175-AF
Subject(s)
Other Subject(s)
ISBN
0833028162
Note
"Project Air Force."
Bibliography Note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 73-80).
Other Forms
Also available on the internet via WWW in PDF format.
Funding Information
Air Force. F49642-96-C-0001. PA001 4152. PA001 4958
Complexity Note
Supersedes RAND/DRR-2100-AF.
View MARC record | catkey: 3940094