The War on Rescue documents how governments block assistance to people in times of crisis. Focusing on the European Migration Crisis of 2015 to 2022 to address the reasons why governments do this, William Plowright discusses the strategies employed which prevent suffering people from receiving help.

The European Migration Crisis motivated people from across the world to offer assistance to needy refugees and migrants across Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa. Both large and small organizations rushed to bring food, medical care, and rescue to those stranded at sea. However, many European governments sought to prevent humanitarian assistance and deny safe haven to the desperate. Boats filled with those rescued were blocked from harbors, activists were arrested, staff were threatened, and at times faced violence. The War on Rescue adds to social science understanding and explanations for humanitarian assistance and the reasons why governments obstruct rescue efforts.