Humane Warfare - Hardcover

'In this challenging work, Chris Coker tackles directly one of the fundamental dilemmas facing the West today; how to reconcile the inhumanity of war with the desire to fight a humane war. The result is both fascinating and provocative. Essential reading.' - Colin McInnes, University of Wales Aberystwyth 'Christopher Coker has written a masterful analysis... a book of deep understanding and real insight. Literate, witty and subversive, this book is a pleasure to read the first time, and a discomfiture thereafter. Liberating and disturbing in equal measure, it is difficult to read this book without being changed by it.' - Michael Clarke, Director, Centre for Defence Studies, King's College London 'Christopher Coker has produced a typically rich and thought provoking book that forces us to think again, not just about the nature of war and organised violence in early 21st century, but about the mental assumptions that govern our thinking about these subjects. It deserves to be widely read.' - Mats Berdal, Director of Studies, The International Institute for Strategic Studies"

The decision to fight 'humanitarian wars' - such as Kosovo - and the development of technology to make war more humane, illustrates the trend in the West to try to humanise war, and thereby humanise modernity. This highly controversial and cutting-edge book asks whether the attempt to make war 'virtual' or 'virtuous' can succeed and whether the west is deluding itself (not its enemies) in thinking that war can ever be made more humane.
Christopher Coker's radical conclusion is that Western humanitarian warfare is in fact an endgame as other non-Western societies will make sure it does not succeed. Eminently readable, this book combines theory with accounts by politicians and serving military personnel, alongside illuminating literary insights. It will be vital reading for all those interested in international relations and strategic studies and defence issues, including journalists, students and politicians.