Ward Thomas

About the author: Ward Thomas is an assistant professor of political science at the College of the Holy Cross and an associate of the John M. Olin Institute of Strategic Studies at Harvard University.

In the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on America, some pundits and legislators have proposed nullifying the executive order that forbids U.S. agents from taking part in assassinations. Doing so would hinder the war on terrorism more than it would help. Assassination is illegal under international law; therefore, adopting it would alienate potential allies. Moreover, to openly condone assassination would be to legitimate a practice that is currently the province of rogue states and the terrorists themselves. International law does permit states engaged in...