Clint Eastwood's 2014 film "American Sniper" presents a compelling, albeit controversial, portrait of Chris Kyle, a U.S. Navy SEAL whose kill count made him a celebrated figure. The film largely follows Kyle's perspective as he navigates the brutal realities of the Iraq War, focusing on his duty, camaraderie, and the psychological toll of combat. When viewed through the framework of Just War Theory, a philosophical and ethical tradition that outlines conditions under which war is morally permissible and how it should be conducted, Kyle's actions and the war itself raise significant questions. While the film highlights aspects of jus ad bellum (justice in going to war) through its depiction of the post-9/11 context and jus in bello (justice in the conduct of war) in its portrayal of Kyle's operational discipline, it often sidesteps the rigorous ethical scrutiny demanded by the theory, particularly concerning proportionality and discrimination.
The initial justification for the war, a key tenet of jus ad bellum, is implicitly addressed in "American Sniper" through the pervasive atmosphere of fear and anger following the September 11, 2001, attacks. The film opens with newsreel footage of the attacks, immediately framing the subsequent invasion of Iraq as a direct response to perceived threats and a necessary measure of self-defense. Kyle’s personal motivation is presented as a patriotic duty to protect his country and avenge the fallen. However, Just War Theory also requires a just cause to be a last resort and to be waged by legitimate authority, aiming for a reasonable chance of success and with a clear intention to establish a just peace. The film largely assumes the legitimacy of the U.S. invasion, a point that has been heavily debated by historians and ethicists. The narrative prioritizes Kyle’s individual experience over a broader geopolitical analysis, thus leaving the broader justifications for the war largely unexamined within the film's runtime.
Within the conduct of war (jus in bello), Just War Theory emphasizes the principles of discrimination and proportionality. Discrimination dictates that combatants should distinguish between legitimate military targets and civilians, and should avoid intentionally harming non-combatants. Proportionality requires that the harm inflicted must not be excessive in relation to the military advantage gained. "American Sniper" frequently depicts Kyle in situations where these principles are tested. His role as a sniper, by its very nature, involves targeting individuals from a distance. The film shows Kyle wrestling with the moral weight of his kills, particularly when he is forced to make difficult decisions that blur the lines between combatant and civilian, such as the infamous scene where he targets a woman handing a grenade to a child. While the film attempts to humanize Kyle by showcasing his internal struggle, it also presents his actions as justified by the battlefield context and the perceived threat. The immense civilian casualties of the Iraq War, a fact outside the film's direct narrative scope but crucial to any ethical evaluation, are largely absent, making it difficult to assess the proportionality of the military actions depicted.
Furthermore, the concept of jus post bellum (justice after war), which addresses the conditions for a just peace, is largely absent from "American Sniper." The film concludes with Kyle returning home, struggling with post-traumatic stress and finding purpose in helping other veterans. This focus on the individual veteran’s recovery, while poignant, does not engage with the broader questions of whether the war achieved its stated objectives or whether the post-invasion landscape in Iraq was, or is, conducive to a just and stable peace. The film’s ending emphasizes healing and reintegration into American society, but it offers no commentary on the long-term consequences of the conflict for Iraq or the United States' role in shaping that future. The ethical framework of Just War Theory extends beyond the battlefield to the aftermath, and the film’s limited scope leaves this dimension largely unexplored.
In conclusion, "American Sniper," through its focus on Chris Kyle's personal experiences, offers a visceral portrayal of modern warfare. It touches upon elements of jus ad bellum and jus in bello, particularly through the lens of duty and the psychological pressures of combat. However, by centering the narrative so tightly on Kyle’s perspective and largely omitting broader political contexts and the devastating consequences of the war, the film struggles to fully engage with the rigorous ethical demands of Just War Theory. The theory necessitates a comprehensive examination of the reasons for war, the methods employed, and the subsequent peace, a holistic approach that "American Sniper" only partially addresses, leaving significant ethical questions about the conflict and its justifications open to interpretation and debate.