Targeted killings: Does drone warfare violate international law?

Targeted killing has been heralded as one of the most effective methods for reducing the terrorist threat in the Middle East, yet its legality remains a point of controversy. At issue is the question of whether the United States is, or even can be, at war with al-Qaeda, as a state's recourse to violence is severely restricted under international law in the absence of such a war. This paper analyzes the three main frameworks under which America's lethal actions have been evaluated: law enforcement, armed conflict, and self-defense. It concludes that while the United States has a legitimate claim to self-defense against these terrorist networks, targeted killing as currently practiced by the Obama administration cannot be justified under international law.