Human Shields: A History of People in the Line of Fire, Updated with a New Preface and Epilogue

A chilling global history of the human shield phenomenon—now with urgent new reflections on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

In practically all contemporary wars, human shields are used to protect, coerce, deter, and legitimize lethal violence. Over the past decade, human shields have also appeared with increasing frequency in antinuclear struggles, civil and environmental protests, and even computer games. Those who use civilians to protect legitimate military targets commit a war crime; yet, ...