To Kill or Capture: The War on Terror and the Soul of the Obama Presidency

To Kill or Capture examines President Obama's evolving approach to counterterrorism and national security during his presidency. The book focuses on the administration's legal and ethical frameworks around targeted killings, drone strikes, and detention of terror suspects. O'Connell draws on extensive research and interviews to trace the shift from Obama's early emphasis on capturing terrorists to an increased reliance on lethal drone operations. The narrative explores key decisions and internal debates that shaped policies on military force, interrogation, and prosecution of suspected terrorists. The book details the tensions between competing legal interpretations and moral considerations in the White House, Pentagon, and intelligence agencies during this period. It gives particular attention to the roles of specific advisors and officials who influenced the administration's strategic direction. This work raises fundamental questions about executive power, international law, and the balance between security imperatives and democratic values in the ongoing response to terrorism. The analysis speaks to enduring challenges in U.S. counterterrorism policy and presidential decision-making.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Mary Ellen O'Connell's overall work: Readers value O'Connell's clear explanations of complex international law concepts. Legal practitioners and academics cite her analysis of post-9/11 military actions and drone warfare policies. Reviews note her thorough research and constitutional law expertise. What readers liked: - Detailed examination of legal precedents - Clear breakdown of international law principles - Balanced analysis of controversial topics - Citations and documentation What readers disliked: - Academic writing style can be dense - Limited coverage of historical context - Some find her positions on drone warfare too restrictive Ratings across platforms: Google Scholar citations: 2,500+ for key works Amazon: "The Power and Purpose of International Law" - 4.1/5 (28 reviews) Academic journal reviews consistently rate her work as significant to international law scholarship, though some criticize her interpretations as too traditional regarding use of force doctrines. Note: Limited public reader reviews available as works are primarily academic texts used in law schools and policy research.

Power Wars: Inside Obama's Post-9/11 Presidency by Charlie Savage This investigation chronicles the legal frameworks and decision-making processes behind Obama's national security policies, including drone strikes and surveillance programs.

Kill or Capture: The War on Terror and the Legacy of American Justice by Daniel Klaidman The book examines how the Obama administration navigated counterterrorism operations and legal boundaries in pursuing Al Qaeda targets.

The Way of the Knife: The CIA, a Secret Army, and a War at the Ends of the Earth by Mark Mazzetti This work details the transformation of the CIA into a paramilitary organization and its role in conducting targeted killings during the War on Terror.

National Security and Double Government by Michael J. Glennon The text analyzes how national security policy remains consistent across presidential administrations due to the influence of permanent bureaucratic structures.

The Terror Presidency: Law and Judgment Inside the Bush Administration by Jack Goldsmith This account provides insight into executive branch decision-making regarding national security law and counterterrorism policies during the post-9/11 era.

🔹 The book explores how the Obama administration shifted from its initial promise to close Guantanamo Bay and end Bush-era counterterrorism practices to embracing targeted killings and drone warfare. 🔹 Author Mary Ellen O'Connell is a professor of law at Notre Dame Law School and serves as a Research Professor of International Dispute Resolution at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies. 🔹 The title "To Kill or Capture" refers to a specific debate within the Obama administration, where some officials pushed for capturing terror suspects while others advocated for lethal drone strikes. 🔹 The book reveals that in 2009, the U.S. military's drone strikes in Pakistan exceeded the total number of such strikes during the entire Bush presidency. 🔹 O'Connell argues that the legal justification for drone strikes developed during the Obama years created precedents that other nations could use to justify their own targeted killing programs.