Precision Guided Munitions in an Urban Environment

<p>This paper answers the question of whether law or morality demand that nations utilize precision guided weapons (PGMs) when attacking a target in an urban setting where the likelihood of collateral damage is high. It first defines the terms PGMs and collateral damage and lists reasons why collateral damage occurs--even with PGMs. It next reviews applicable international treaties concerning aerial bombardment to determine if they require the use of PGMs before conducting a similar review of customary international law concepts. The paper concludes by looking at Just War theory and whether or not morality demands that nations use PGMs in an urban setting. Ultimately the paper reaches the conclusion that neither international treaty nor customary international law demand attacking nations use PGMs although there is clearly a growing trend to do so and this trend will likely form the basis of future international law. However the paper concludes that Just War theory's jus in bello demands that professional airmen utilize PGMs in an urban environment--a practice the U.S. seems to be following.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>