Lieber Institute for Law and Warfare

Following the fall of the al-Assad regime in #Syria, #Israel carried out a series of airstrikes across Syria. Whether Israel’s actions violate international law depends on whether they are justifiable under the rubric of #selfdefense. Nicholas Tsagourias explores the outer limits of self-defense in the form of pre-emptive and preventive self-defense and explains their rationale and status in international law. He concludes that a risk-informed approach to self-defence can justify Israel’s actions in Syria. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dZZCnJ_j #ArticlesofWar

As new and effective methods of #warfare emerge, such as employment of mass #drone attacks, considerable effort is directed toward developing effective #countermeasures. Mass #drone attacks have resulted in significant casualties and extensive damage to critical infrastructure. Emerging #laser technologies offer a promising #defense against this growing threat. In his analysis, William Boothby examines the key considerations that States should address when when preparing a review of this sort of #weapon #technology. Read more: https://lnkd.in/drzbakPV #ArticlesofWar

In recent years, #unmanned aerial #weapons, commonly known as #drones, have been increasingly employed to carry out #attacks on ground targets. William Boothby explores in Part I of his post the use of '#kamikaze' or suicide drones and their implications under weapons and #targeting law. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dN4PgU5r #ArticlesofWar

We are pleased to partner with the Law, Technology, and Warfare Research Cell (LTWRC) at the U.S. Air Force Academy to publish links to recordings of their law of war-relevant videos, webinars, and podcasts. The first webinar by Major Brian Green explores the reasons why a State might seek to station a #nuclearweapon in #outerspace or refrain from doing so and details a range of legal response options for the United States and the rest of the world to consider. See more: https://lnkd.in/eA_PU2NG #ArticlesofWar

Can the utility of the #reciprocity clause be revived through its adaptation to #NIACs or conflicts involving #nonStateactors? Eric Jensen and Stone Williams contend that extending the #CA2 reciprocity clause to NIACs could create a compelling incentive for non-State actors to recognize and comply with #LOAC standards. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dcnuPEvE #ArticlesofWar

#Maritime #security issues that we saw emerge at the end of 2024 are not likely to disappear as we sail into 2025. Rather, they are likely to highlight underlying legal debate relating to both legal substance and process in the law of #naval #warfare. In his Year Ahead post, Martin Fink examines manuals aimed at reaffirming the current legal landscape of #navalwarfare. However, he cautions against allowing these manuals to stifle broader discussions about the future evolution of naval warfare. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dgPvRgJW #ArticlesofWar

Over the past year, #LOAC has been highlighted in various contexts, but the use of certain kinds of #war #rhetoric has received limited attention. Rosa-Lena Lauterbach delves into the incendiary language often used around #armedconflicts, arguing that destructive, dehumanizing rhetoric undermines the core principles and objectives of LOAC. In her Year Ahead post, she calls for 2025 to be a year of reflection on the use of such rhetoric and recognition of the serious harm it causes. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g6st6rMP #ArticlesofWar

How are the United States Department of Defense and United States Space Force transforming security? The 2024 U.S. DoD and Space Force commercial #space strategies build on a longstanding tradition of harnessing #privatesector #innovation and efficiency. These strategies emphasize #resilience and prioritize #outsourcing to the private sector in mission areas where it is most effective. Looking ahead to 2025, Ted Richard anticipates that the U.S. DoD will continue advocating for commercial solutions, further integrating commercial space capabilities into the U.S. #nationalsecurity framework. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dphDnUp2 #ArticlesofWar

As #digital #technologies continue to develop at breakneck speed, the law often appears to fall ever further behind. Unfortunately, that gap is unlikely to close as the application of international law in #cyberspace is not poised for significant evolution in 2025. Jeffrey Biller argues in his #YearAhead post that despite some advancements, particularly at the regional level, State practice will continue to demonstrate a lack of consensus regarding international law and State #cyberoperations. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dMAiS4fW #ArticlesofWar

We are pleased to announce that #ArticlesofWar has recently added several thematic editors to our staff. Each editor has contributed a post to this year’s #YearAhead series with thoughts on issues or situations they recommend our readers track over the coming months in their respective field of the law of war. Samuel White's post starts the series by looking into worrying trends in contemporary #landwarfare that demand international community’s attention in 2025. He discusses #exceptions to #IHL, #compliance with IHL, and the primacy of protecting #civilians. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dRKCFeVY #ArticlesofWar