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.
3,765 Articles
Killing Shipwrecked Survivors is Not Just Illegal—It Endangers U.S. Servicemembers
If the United States chooses a path where killing defenseless survivors becomes acceptable, American servicemembers will pay the price for that choice.
Professional Responsibility and the Boat Strikes
Legal and ethical debates surge around unreleased OLC memo on lethal boat strikes in the Caribbean, with growing calls for transparency and scrutiny of military lawyers.
Unlawful Orders and Killing Shipwrecked Boat Strike Survivors: An Expert Backgrounder
An expert backgrounder on the reported Hegseth "no quarter" order to kill everyone aboard a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean on Sept. 2.
Persecuting the Prosecutors: Israel’s Military Lawyers Under Pressure
The weakening of the Military Advocate General affects the IDF's ability to carry out its missions lawfully, and the broader protection of the rule of law in Israel.
There Should Be a New ICC Prosecutor Regardless of the UN Report Outcome
The ICC’s legitimacy is under scrutiny, and every internal shortcoming becomes evidence for those who argue that international justice is politicized or hypocritical.
Crisis as Catalyst: Seabed Minerals and the (Un)Making of International Law
Will President Trump, as President Truman did during the WWII era, succeed in refashioning the law governing international seabed minerals?
Hypothetical Legal Review of Narcotrafficking Strikes
A mock “operational legal review” depicting what a staff judge advocate’s advice should have been prior to the first reported strike on an alleged drug trafficking vessel.
The International Law Obligation of States to Stop Intelligence Support for U.S. Boat Strikes
The only way States can avoid complicity in “arbitrary killings” under international human rights law is to refrain from sharing intelligence that, in part, enables them.
A Point of Clarification Re the International Lawyers’ Statement on Gaza
Israeli international law scholars write about their prior letter published by Just Security and a recent article published at Just Security as well.
International Lawyers Unite in Joint Statement on Gaza
An eight-point statement signed by 270 international law scholars demonstrates a convergence of views on Gaza and international law.
The U.S. Draft Security Council Resolution on Gaza: Initial Concerns
The draft resolution has fundamental legal problems and ambiguities that, if not resolved, will harm both peace in Gaza and prospects of a more sustainable future.
U.S. Saber Rattling and Venezuela: Lawful Show of Force or Unlawful Threat of Force?
Clearly, U.S. actions are threatening to Venezuela. But do they amount to an unlawful threat under international law, or are they merely a lawful show of force?