'The United States Department of Defense Law of War Manual: Commentary and Critique is essential reading for students, scholars and practitioners alike, whether they view themselves as on the left or the right, and whether they consider themselves supporters or critics of US military law and policy. Deftly compiled and introduced by editor Michael A. Newton, the essays in this book, all by top international and military law scholars, collectively form an essential companion to the Law of War Manual itself, highlighting both the Manual's strengths and the inevitable gaps, flaws and ambiguities that remain in any undertaking of this scale.' Rosa Brooks, Georgetown University Law Center and the Modern War Institute, West Point 'This book provides thorough analysis no reader of the US Department of Defense Law of War Manual should miss. Michael A. Newton and his contributors have developed an indispensable tool not only for academic research, but also for international military cooperation in an environment of ever increasing complexity. Department of Defense decision-makers should find the strength to consider some of the critical approaches taken here and use this as a further incentive for starting an open exchange with Allies and Partner States on the issue.' Dieter Fleck, Former Director of International Agreements and Policy, German Ministry of Defence, Member of the Advisory Board, Amsterdam Center of International Law, Honorary President, International Society for Military Law and the Law of War 'The Department of Defense Law of War Manual is a complex undertaking appropriate to the complexities of modern warfare. This book is a most impressive compilation of perspectives from experts who care deeply about the integrity of the law and its application. It explains the importance of the US perspectives on modern warfighting, and provides a wealth of historical and legal reference material to contextualize recent US practice. This book provides invaluable assistance to anyone who seeks to truly understand the role of the US military in serving the interests of a democratic Republic.' John Norton Moore, Director, Center for National Security Law and Walter L. Brown Professor of Law, University of Virginia School of Law, Former Chairman of the Board, United States Institute of Peace 'The law of war matters. The inability of the international community to develop new treaty law has prompted the promulgation of manuals designed to assist State armed forces navigate the ever-changing operational law environment. Commanders and their legal advisers around the world will benefit from the commentary in this superb book, which provides an array of critiques of the recent United States Law of War Manual that will greatly benefit any practitioner or policy-maker who seeks to understand the current state of the law of war from the perspective of the US military.' Ken Watkin QC, former Judge Advocate General for the Canadian Forces