International Law
Just Security offers expert analysis of international law and its role in addressing global challenges. Our coverage includes litigation in international and regional tribunals, the process of international law-making, analysis of compliance and accountability for international law violations–including international criminal justice, and challenges to the international legal order.
3,788 Articles
National Security Last Week at the United Nations (Feb. 19-26)
Increasing violence against civilians in South Sudan, Somalia; IAEA reaches temporary deal with Iran; human rights experts urge accountability at Guantanamo Bay. This and more…
Biden’s First Strike and the International Law of Self-Defense
The U.S. airstrikes taken on Friday in Syria almost certainly violated international law, for two basic reasons.
Kunduz Airstrike Before European Court of Human Rights: Future of Jurisdiction and Duty to Investigate
The future of European Human Rights Court's jurisdiction and the future of States' duty to investigate civilian casualties in wartime.
KBR v. SFO: the United Kingdom’s Microsoft Ireland?
U.K. law enforcement agencies lack power to compel foreign companies to hand over overseas data. What does the decision mean for data sharing?
Shooting Ourselves in the Foot: Even Democratic Nations Are Undermining the International Justice System
The biggest winners of a weakened international justice system are the many authoritarian and dictatorial leaders in the world.
Intersecting Religious and Gender-Based Persecution in Yazidi Genocide Case: A Request for an Extension of Charges
The self-described Islamic State (IS) is publicly accused of having committed, in addition to genocide and war crimes, crimes against humanity and persecution on the basis of religion…
Universal Jurisdiction — the Most Difficult Path to Achieve Justice for Sri Lanka
The record shows that, if this is the only feasible route to accountability for now, countries will require additional support at the UN level to achieve accountability.
Trump’s War Powers Legacy and Questions for Biden
Will Biden rein in near-limitless claims of presidential authority to use force without congressional authorization and commit to restoring the balance of war powers between the…
Emblematic Cases Expose the Long Road to Justice in Sri Lanka
For more than a decade, in one atrocity case after another, justice is delayed, denied, or even reversed, as the government pursues impunity.
Tamils – and Justice – Can’t Wait: The Need for Decisive UN Action on Sri Lanka
The credibility of the Human Rights Council and the UN system, given its “grave failure” in the past, depends on accountability for Sri Lanka’s atrocities.
A US Return to Human Rights Requires Consistency and Self-Restraint in National Security
This week's Egypt arms sales announcement illustrates the failure to practice the values that offer the US its principle source of competitive advantage.
Fulfilling Biden Campaign Pledge on Saudi-UAE Policy Will Require a Full Overhaul
Regular and direct US criticism of Saudi and UAE human rights abuses should be a fundamental part of a Biden administration reassessment.