Formalizing targeted killing as a foreign policy doctrine rather than its use in only unique circumstances risks a drift away from the rule of law. Terrorism has traditionally been dealt with through domestic law enforcement means, but now terrorists such as al Qaeda members are processed under the laws of war; that is, war is declared against a terrorist organization. This begs the questions of how narrow and tailored a President’s authority must be when he orders a targeted killing in the name of self-defense, and when the law of war is activated, necessitating a President to adhere to its concepts. Congress has largely not weighed in though the best guarantee of public safety is the rule of law.

The coming array of high-energy laser (HEL) weapons can be expected to emit sufficient thermal energy to neutralize targets with more speed, precision, and stealth than conventional munitions. Targets can be on the ground, in the air, sea, or space domains. Moreover, HEL weapons can defend forces, populations, and infrastructure against guns, aircraft, vessels, vehicles, and ballistic missiles. They can provide air support and even strategic airstrike. Ongoing research and development indicate the inevitability of these weapons joining the joint arsenal. They will be virtually undetectable and offer instantaneous effects against slower traditional weapons systems. Several vignettes show possible applications.

Today’s global transnational threats, instant communications, and evolution of a possible peer competitor make the Navy’s lack of savvy about the operational level of war, which has gained standing with the other Services, not merely an inconvenience but a liability. Nowadays, the oceans represent more than communications links between land operations in various parts of the globe; they have their own strategic significance. They comprise an enormous strategic and operational maneuver space not only for America but for its allies and enemies. They are also essential to global commerce and security. America’s strategic success has created seams that, if not overcome, risk erosion of its dominance at sea. A global perspective, geographic adjustment, and more pertinent command arrangements can help.