"Killing the Messenger" reveals the dangerous new face of war and journalism. Covering armed conflicts has always been dangerous business, but whereas in the past, pressmen and women faced the danger of being caught in the crossfire, today's war correspondent is often deliberately targeted by combatants on all sides. In their own words, correspondents describe the new dangers they face and attempt to explain why they are targeted. Is it simply that modern combatants are more brutal than in the past, or has journalism changed, making correspondents players, not observers, in modern warfare? Extended interviews with correspondents who have been abducted and tortured during Middle East conflicts shed chilling light on the new face of war. These journalists, who have paid dearly to bring first-hand images of war to the public, have some surprising insights into the nature and motivation of their kidnappers and why they were targeted. They show no sign of self-pity and little inclination to blame anyone other than themselves. Yet they are candid in describing the violence from within Iraq and Afghanistan as a response to violence from without. Ways to reduce the risks for reporters are discussed, but these editors and correspondents suggest that, short of asking reporters to withdraw into isolated and protected enclaves, we may be facing an indefinite escalation of violence against journalists.