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 This Week at the United Nations (Oct 30-Nov 6)
“Unwavering Support” for ICC Amid U.S. Sanctions 72 countries at the U.N. on Monday offered their “unwavering support” for the International Criminal Court…

Saudi Arabia’s MBS Served with Extrajudicial Killing Lawsuit – Via WhatsApp
Electronic service of process -- including via social media -- has become an increasingly common practice. Gone are the days of the pizza delivery ruse.

Plan to Pull U.S. Troops from Somalia is Cold Comfort Amid Civilian Toll of Air War
AFRICOM insists its aim is to ‘degrade’ al-Shabaab. But the US military campaign is taking a heavy toll on civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Geneva Convention III Commentary: Unpacking the Potential of “Ensure Respect” in Common Article 1
[Just Security is publishing a series on the ICRC’s updated Commentaries to the Third Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War (2020). This GCIII Commentary series is published…

Geneva Convention III Commentary: What Significance for Women’s Rights?
Analysis of the ICRC's updated Commentaries to the Geneva Convention for Prisoners of War (POWs).

Good Governance Paper No. 13: Atrocities Prevention and Response
Thirteenth essay in a series of top experts exploring proposals to restore and promote nonpartisan principles of good government, public integrity, and the rule of law.

The Necessity of Enforcing Humanitarian Law and Human Rights in the Context of Counterterrorism
International legal norms risk marginalization in the rush to embrace ill-defined counterterrorism standards in multiple settings.

On El Salvador’s 1981 El Mozote Massacre, President Bukele Sides With Impunity
Survivors of the largest single massacre in modern Latin American history want him charged for failure to comply with a judicial order for documents.

Good Governance Paper No. 12: Treaty Withdrawals
Twelfth essay in a series of top experts exploring proposals to restore and promote nonpartisan principles of good government, public integrity, and the rule of law.

Oxford Statement on International Law Protections Against Foreign Electoral Interference through Digital Means
"A short list of consensus protections that apply under existing international law to foreign cyberoperations with adverse consequences on electoral processes." Now open for signature.

Geneva Convention III Commentary: Implementing POW Convention in Multinational Operations
[Just Security is publishing a series on the ICRC’s updated Commentaries to the Third Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War (2020). This GCIII Commentary series is published…

The U.K. Overseas Operations Bill: An Own Goal in the Making?
Many of those objecting to the bill in a constructive spirit acknowledge the problem the government is seeking to address, but chide it for going about it the wrong way.