Jus ad Bellum
182 Articles
Collection: U.S. Lethal Strikes on Suspected Drug Traffickers, Operation Southern Spear, Operation Absolute Resolve
Collection of expert analysis on the legality of the U.S. strike on Venezuelan vessels in the Caribbean, the consequences of the strike, and related issues.
On the State Department Memorandum “Operation Epic Fury and International Law”
Former State Department attorney's critique of the Department's Iran war memorandum on “Operation Epic Fury and International Law.”
A Primer on Just War Theory and the Iran War
Leading scholar explains just war theory and the Iran war. An assessment of the Trump administration's response to the Catholic Church.
In Response to the Letter by International Law Experts
Four experts, who have each served as Senior Law of War Advisor, respond to Letter by 100+ international law experts on Iran war published at Just Security.
The International Legal Consequences and Imprudence of U.S. Assistance to Kurdish Rebels in Iran
U.S. policies of funding rebel groups to achieve shared strategic objectives while turning a blind eye to ideology and international law has proven to be myopic time and again
Over 100 International Law Experts Warn: U.S. Strikes on Iran Violate UN Charter and May Be War Crimes
Over 100 international law experts sign letter on Iran War, UN Charter, and international humanitarian law.
Self-Preservation and the Erosion of International Law
It is the violation of fundamental principles of international law that ultimately constitutes an existential threat to all members of the international community.
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.
Operation Epic Fury: Reports of the Death of International Law are Greatly Exaggerated
"I am sure some restrictionists will critique my analysis by claiming it is not grounded in orthodox interpretations of international law."
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.
Sinking Iran’s Frigate IRIS Dena and the Law of Naval Warfare
Legal explainer concerning the location of the Iranian vessel, the attack itself, and the U.S. submarine's lack of attempted rescue.