Lily Hamourtziadou's important analysis of the scale and causes of civilian deaths in Iraq since the US-led coalition's 2003 invasion sheds new light on the War on Terror. From early fighting to the departure and return of troops and the rise of ISIS, she tracks the cost of conflict and constructs an insightful human security approach to war.
The book explores the ethical dimensions of modern warfare, challenging the notions of Realism and Militarism while examining Just War Theory. It delves into the implications of 'precision' weapons and the rise of lethal autonomous systems, questioning the legitimacy of defensive or moral wars. The author highlights the legal and ethical dilemmas surrounding civilian harm in AI warfare and advocates for new accountability mechanisms to address the shortcomings of existing laws. This critical analysis aims to redefine our understanding of justice in the context of contemporary military conflicts.