UN Charter
185 Articles
Turkey’s Syria Invasion: German Research Report Says Illegal on All Counts
A German parliamentary research report serves as an important reminder that evidence and proportionality matter, and that exceptions to the prohibition of the use of force should…
“Clearly of Latin American Origin”: Armed Attack by Non-State Actors and the UN Charter
"The text, context, and preparatory work of Article 51 of the Charter show that it permits only the use of armed force in self-defense against an armed attack by a State."
The Rio Treaty: Paving the Way for Military Intervention in Venezuela?
Renewed focus on the presence of terrorist groups in Venezuela, and the Maduro regime’s involvement with such groups, suggest that the ground is being paved for a potential military…
Reassessing U.S. Cyber Operations Against Iran and the Use of Force
"There is good reason to conclude the United States may have crossed the use of force threshold with this cyber operation."
The German Constitutional Court on the Right of Self-Defense Against ISIS in Syria
German Constitutional Court concludes that the government has a reasonable claim that the UN Charter permits use of force in self-defense against non-state actors — at least…
France’s Major Statement on International Law and Cyber: An Assessment
Leading expert on international law and cyberspace assesses major new position staked out by French government.
Questions on Legality of Israeli Strikes in Iraq and Lebanon
A flurry of news reports during the final week of August detailed recent Israeli air strikes against Iranian affiliated groups in Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria. The Washington Post…
Iran’s Shifting Views on Self-Defense and ‘Intraterritorial’ Force
Iran’s justification for shooting down a US drone suggests a subtle shift in its understanding of international law.
The Missing Piece in US-Iran Drone Dispute: Navigational Freedoms and the Strait of Hormuz
"Even if the drone flew only across 'international airspace,' significant legal questions arise as to whether its activities violated the rules for transit and what legal recourse…
Top Expert Backgrounder: Aborted U.S. Strike, Cyber Operation Against Iran and International Law
"It is difficult to definitely conclude that the proposed U.S. kinetic strikes would have been valid exercises of self-defense."
Bolton’s Stated Predicate for War With Iran Doesn’t Work
"Bolton has repeatedly threatened that Iran’s support for its 'proxies' could bring 'a very strong response'—even military force. By threatening military action against Iran…
Trump’s Golan Policy and Its Threat to the Post-War International Legal Order
Yale Law professors Oona Hathaway and Scott Shapiro, authors of an award-winning book on the use of force, respond directly to a Wall Street Journal op-ed by Secretary of State…