The execution of policy

RICHARD J ALDRICH is impressed by an account of why intelligence services, often encouraged by politicians, target individuals, even outside times of war

- Richard J Aldrich

In the 21st century, we have moved into an era of performative covert action. Leaders such as Vladimir Putin have used the shadow of death to coerce their enemies overseas and to reinforce their warrior image at home. But as Simon Ball argues persuasively, assassination has always been an option, even for seemingly well-behaved states that appear to uphold the rule-based international order. In previous decades, they were simply a little less boastful about their activities.