What do you think?
Rate this book
International Law and the Use of Force: 4th Edition
This book explores the large and controversial subject of the use of force in international law. It examines not only the use of force by states but also the role of the UN in peacekeeping and enforcement action, and the increasing role of regional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security.
The UN Charter framework is under challenge. Russia's invasion of Georgia and intervention in Ukraine, the USA's military operations in Syria, and Saudi Arabia's campaign to restore the government of Yemen by force all raise questions about the law on intervention. The 'war on terror' that began after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the USA has not been won. It has spread far beyond it has led to targeted killings in Pakistan, Somalia, and Yemen, and to intervention against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Is there an expanding right of self-defence against non-state actors? Is the use of force effective? The development of nuclear weapons by North Korea has reignited discussion about the legality of pre-emptive self-defence. The NATO-led operation in Libya increased hopes for the implementation of 'responsibility to protect', but it also provoked criticism for exceeding the Security Council's authorization of force because its outcome was regime change. UN peacekeeping faces new
challenges, especially with regard to the protection of civilians, and UN forces have been given revolutionary mandates in several African states. But the 2015 report Uniting Our Strengths reaffirmed that UN peacekeeping is not suited to counter-terrorism or enforcement operations; the UN should turn to regional organizations such as the African Union as first responders in situations of ongoing armed conflict.
The UN Charter framework is under challenge. Russia's invasion of Georgia and intervention in Ukraine, the USA's military operations in Syria, and Saudi Arabia's campaign to restore the government of Yemen by force all raise questions about the law on intervention. The 'war on terror' that began after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the USA has not been won. It has spread far beyond it has led to targeted killings in Pakistan, Somalia, and Yemen, and to intervention against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Is there an expanding right of self-defence against non-state actors? Is the use of force effective? The development of nuclear weapons by North Korea has reignited discussion about the legality of pre-emptive self-defence. The NATO-led operation in Libya increased hopes for the implementation of 'responsibility to protect', but it also provoked criticism for exceeding the Security Council's authorization of force because its outcome was regime change. UN peacekeeping faces new
challenges, especially with regard to the protection of civilians, and UN forces have been given revolutionary mandates in several African states. But the 2015 report Uniting Our Strengths reaffirmed that UN peacekeeping is not suited to counter-terrorism or enforcement operations; the UN should turn to regional organizations such as the African Union as first responders in situations of ongoing armed conflict.
- GenresLawNonfiction
512 pages, Paperback
First published March 8, 2001
11 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
August 12, 2011
I tell a lie - I haven't actually read this book all the way through as I was using it for reference, particularly the chapters detailing the United Nations and use of force for international peacekeeping operations.
Clear, concise language which the author manages to shape and turn so that it fully encompasses the many problems that peacekeeping after the Cold War has presented. A highly recommended read for those who engage in conflict studies or recent modern history but sometimes struggle with the legalese that is the law of the battlefield. No doubt this book was written for students or academics in the field of international law, but the feat accomplished is that is an indispensable guide to the intracacies of conflict law that historians, humanitarians, development organisations et al can apply to their field both with ease and a confident understanding of the fundamental concepts and ideas.
Clear, concise language which the author manages to shape and turn so that it fully encompasses the many problems that peacekeeping after the Cold War has presented. A highly recommended read for those who engage in conflict studies or recent modern history but sometimes struggle with the legalese that is the law of the battlefield. No doubt this book was written for students or academics in the field of international law, but the feat accomplished is that is an indispensable guide to the intracacies of conflict law that historians, humanitarians, development organisations et al can apply to their field both with ease and a confident understanding of the fundamental concepts and ideas.
Displaying 1 of 1 review