M4D2: Terrorism and Ethical Dilemmas

38656M4D2: Terrorism and Ethical Dilemmas

In your education you have been introduced to the wide ranging field of national security, and as you complete your coursework you should recognize the many daunting ethical dilemmas which confront practitioners in this professional environment. In this activity, we turn to a discussion of the ethical implications of the war of terror.

When you have completed this activity, you will be able to:

Analyze the ethical dimensions of the war on terror and the ethical complexities and challenges involved in the national security profession (CO#4).

Please respond to the following:

Ethical and moral dilemmas contained in policy decisions concerning the war on terror are often an unavoidable aspect of careers in national security. Consider the following cases where decisions were made concerning the application of force.

Supporting Afghani forces in October 2015, the United States bombed a hospital operated by Doctors Without Borders, resulting in 22 deaths and widespread condemnation of the action as a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law
In 2011, a drone strike approved by the National Security Council killed Anwar Al-Awlaki. This action was controversial because the target was an American citizen born in New Mexico. To some observers this was a troubling precedent with implications for constitutional liberties including free speech and due process.
In your career, you may confront daunting ethical and moral dilemmas repeatedly-

What do you believe are your most important personal virtues in respect to confronting and resolving such challenges? Are there any strategies you can share with your classmates that you believe would be useful in preparing for such ethical challenges?

Module 4 Reading:

Module Notes: Terrorism and American National Security
Byman, D. (2015). Beyond Counterterrorism. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. Foreign Affairs, 94(6), 11-18.
Kydd, A. H., & Walter, B. F. (2006). The Strategies of Terrorism. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. International Security, (1). 49.