Targeting Anwar Al-Aulaqi: A Case Study in U.S. Drone Strikes and Targeted Killing

National Security Law Brief, Vol. II, Issue I, 2011

34 Pages Posted: 4 Aug 2011 Last revised: 22 Jan 2012

See all articles by Benjamin R. Farley

Benjamin R. Farley

Emory University School of Law; George Washington University - Elliott School of International Affairs (ESIA)

Date Written: August 4, 2011

Abstract

Anwar al-Aulaqi is a natural born American citizen of Yemeni descent who was reportedly added to U.S. targeted killing lists in early 2010. The United States argues that al-Aulaqi is a lawful target due either to his role in an ongoing armed conflict between the United States and Al Qaeda or under the auspices of self-defense. In fact, the United States relies on self-defense and armed conflict in general to justify the lawfulness of its targeted killing programs. When applicable, each of these frameworks provides legal authority for a state to use force against an individual. However, neither framework provides a blanket justification-or a blanket prohibition-on the use of targeted killing. Instead, each framework provides authority for use of force, including targeted killings, when that framework’s particular requirements are satisfied. This article argues that, although both self-defense and armed conflict provide authority for a state’s use of force when their respective parameters are satisfied, self-defense fails to justify the continuous targeting of Anwar al-Aulaqi and other individuals on U.S. targeted killing lists. Rather, al-Aulaqi is likely justifiably targetable on a continuous basis due only to his direct participation in an ongoing armed conflict between AQAP and Yemen in which the United States is intervening.

Keywords: al-aulaqi, al-awlaki, drones, terrorism, armed conflict, self-defense, international humanitarian law

Suggested Citation

Farley, Benjamin R., Targeting Anwar Al-Aulaqi: A Case Study in U.S. Drone Strikes and Targeted Killing (August 4, 2011). National Security Law Brief, Vol. II, Issue I, 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1904979

Benjamin R. Farley (Contact Author)

Emory University School of Law ( email )

1301 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30322
United States

George Washington University - Elliott School of International Affairs (ESIA) ( email )

2201 G Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20052
United States

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