Last century we pondered the ethics of killing Hitler. This century political assassination and targeted killings have become defining features of warfare. Drone strikes under Obama killed thousands in the Middle East and Africa; under Putin, Russia has killed its political dissidents abroad; the Saudis assassinated Jamal Khashoggi under bin Salman; Israel has targeted Iranian non-combatant civilian scientists under Netanyahu. And this February, the US and Israel convulsed the world with joint strikes to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
Does the rise in political assassination threaten global stability and blur the distinction between civilians and combatants? Are international institutions like the ICC powerless to prevent or punish extrajudicial killings in a new world order where might makes right? Or should assassination be seen as a powerful tool, enabling states to target limited numbers of people while sparing soldiers and civilians from wider conflict?
