International Law
665 Articles
Fighting an Illegal War and Fighting a War Illegally: the Link Between Regime Change Operations and International Humanitarian Law Violations
The relationship between regime change and IHL is of inherent tension, incentivizing battlefields where the law is viewed as an obstacle rather than an essential constraint.
An Unserious Justification for an Unnecessary War: Assessing the U.S. “Article 51” Letter to U.N. on Iran War
Former US State Department attorney writes that the United States' "Article 51" letter to the UN Security Council fails to identify legal basis for Iran attack.
The Crimes Against Humanity Treaty Advances with First Preparatory Committee
PrepCom’s success will depend on leadership, diverse perspectives, and a shared commitment to justice in a divisive multilateral environment.
Report Offers New Evidence of Starvation Crimes in Darfur
The evidence in the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab report demonstrates that the world is watching and gathering information to eventually bring those responsible to account.
Technology and the ICRC’s GC IV 2025 Commentary
Surveys how the 2025 ICRC GC IV Commentary integrates technology into its analysis of specific rules, while raising concerns about its treatment of data as property.
Aggression, Plain and Simple: A Response to Shany and Cohen on the Attack on Iran
Legal academics debate the state of international law and international institutions in light of the US-Israel-Iran War.
The International Community at a Crossroads Over Iran: The reawakening of “illegal but legitimate” or the “law of self-preservation”?
"The tensions we have identified are particularly acute when a State faces an existential threat and, as in here, from an enemy long committed to radically unlawful behavior."
Double Preemption, Imminence, and the U.S. Attack Against Iran
Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s argument that Operation Epic Fury was an act of preemptive self-defense is not credible and does not satisfy the necessary precondition.
Aggression by the United States and Israel, Misdirected Self-Defense by Iran, and Collective Self-Defense of Gulf States
Analysis of the legality of U.S.-Israel actions against Iran, Iran’s response, and third-party states’ legal options and obligations under the UN Charter.
“Significantly Diminished”: Commenting Anew on Article 23 of Geneva Convention IV in a Transformed Legal Context
New Commentary on GC IV describes Article 23—the treaty’s key provision governing the duty to allow the passage of essentials to civilians—as "significantly diminished" today.
The Trump Administration’s Theory of Constitutional War Powers: “The President Could Decide”
The legal memo justifying its Venezuela operations provides insight into the administration's use-of-force decisions and the factual evidence undergirding them.
Tracking Russia’s Eliminationist Rhetoric Against Ukraine
Updating a tracker of persistent rhetoric by Russian leaders and their associates -- more than 500 examples -- that may constitute evidence of genocidal intent.