Use of Force
168 Articles

Asserting a License to Kill: Why the Caribbean Strike is a Dangerous Departure from the “War on Terror”
An absence of credible legal basis for the Caribbean strike suggests the Trump admin is asserting a prerogative to kill outside the law.

Book Release – Perpetual War and International Law: Enduring Legacies of the War on Terror
Introducing a new OUP book interrogating how precedents set in the post-9/11 era continue to shape contemporary conflicts.

The Many Ways in Which the September 2 Caribbean Strike was Unlawful … and the Grave Line the Military Has Crossed
A deep dive into US domestic authority and law most relevant to the US strike on alleged Venezuelan drug boat.

Striking Drug Cartels under the Jus ad Bellum and Law of Armed Conflict
Analysis of laws of war and law on the resort to armed force in U.S. military action against Tren de Aragua.

The Just Security Podcast: Murder on the High Seas? What You Need to Know about the U.S. Strike on the Caribbean Vessel
Rebecca Ingber and Brian Finucane join Tess Bridgeman to unpack what you need to know about the U.S. strike on a purported drug trafficking vessel in the Caribbean.

Legal Issues Raised by a Lethal U.S. Military Attack in the Caribbean
The Trump administration’s extraordinary lethal attack on a purported drug smuggling vessel – and its vow that it is the start of a campaign – raise significant legal issues.

Just Security’s Israel-Hamas War Archive
Just Security's collection of more than 110 articles covering the Israel-Hamas War and its diplomatic, legal, and humanitarian consequences.

The Just Security Podcast: Is There a Diplomatic Path for Iran’s Nuclear Program? An Interview with Richard Nephew
Just Security’s Tess Bridgeman is joined by Richard Nephew to discuss where things stand and what a path forward for Iran's nuclear program might look like.

Assessing the U.S. Article 51 Letter for the Attack on Iran: Legal Lipstick on the Use of Force Pig
Former State Department attorney analyzes U.S. letter to UN Security Council that presented legal arguments for U.S. strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.

What are “Wartime Authorities” and When Can the President Use Them? An Expert Q&A
It is essential to understand the line between war and peace, scrutinize the application of wartime powers, and interrogate the president’s assertions when he triggers them.

The Illegality of Israel’s Military Offensive in Gaza
Analysis of jus ad bellum with Israel’s stated objectives for its current military operations in Gaza.

Ambiguity Is Not Authorization: The Neutrality Treaty Does Not Justify U.S. Military Intervention in Panama
U.S. Military intervention in Panama would violate fundamental international norms and find no justification in the Neutrality Treaty.