Armed Conflict • International Law
Law of Armed Conflict/IHL
1,740 Articles
US Should Think Again About Reversing Landmine Policy
The Trump administration announced Friday that the United States will re-start using and producing antipersonnel landmines. The new policy follows the U.S. retreat from multilateralism…
Human Shielding (by Omission) in Iran
Iran violated its legal obligations to take passive precautions to protect civilians under its control, with the intent that those civilians shield military targets from attack.…
Compilation of States’ Reactions to U.S. and Iranian Uses of Force in Iraq in January 2020
A comprehensive guide to every state in the world's reaction to the U.S. operation killing of Qassem Soleimani and to the Iranian military response.
How to Think About the Soleimani Strike in Four Questions
Four fundamental questions come to mind in the aftermath of the strike that can and should be debated.
Iran’s Leaders Preserve the Republic With a Hybrid of International and Islamic Law
The rhetorical strategy allows them to address the world and Iranians at the same time, while passing on different messages.
The President, His Relationship with Intelligence, and the Soleimani Strike
When it comes to intelligence, like with so much else, President Donald Trump likes big names. It’s this focus on celebrity, headlines, and immediate gratification -- versus …
What the State Department Legal Adviser Promised Congress on Iran
Will Mr. Marik String keep his word?
Iran Plane Downing: Likely a Violation of International Humanitarian Law (But Not a War Crime)
Iran most likely violated the law of armed conflict in shooting down Ukraine Airlines PS752 but did not commit a war crime.
Targeted Killing of General Soleimani: Why the Laws of War Should Apply, and Why it Matters
In her thought provoking and thorough piece, Agnes Callamard addresses – among many other issues – the question whether the US strike against General Qassem Soleimani was subject…
The 30-Day Clock: Recent Law Requires Trump Admin. to Make Full Public Report on Soleimani and Shahlai Strikes
A classified war powers report won't do it. A formal, public explanation of the facts and legal justifications is legally required thanks to Congress’ having recently passed…
U.S. Legal Defense of the Soleimani Strike at the United Nations: A Critical Assessment
A critical annotation of the principal claims in the United States' formal letter to the U.N. justifying the Soleimani strike.
How to Recover a Role for Congress and the Courts in Decisions to Wage War
A recent set of cases on congressional standing opens up an opportunity to restore Congress’ recourse to the courts for serious war powers violations—if Congress is willing…