Abstract
In Just War Against Terror Elshtain articulates emotions whilst ridiculing others who allegedly privilege emotion over reason. This critique focuses on her use of the notion of `tragedy'. Distinctions are crucial to Elshtain's argument, especially that between combatants and civilians; they are based on the significance of intention. Elshtain seems uneasy, however, about a particular consequence of waging war: civilian deaths. She seeks refuge in the notion of tragedy to characterise them; this reveals the complexity of the question of responsibility, which she does not, however, seriously engage. As a result, Elshtain's reasoning ends up implying a well-meaning but violent imperialism.