Articles of War

Reportedly, Israeli settlers or soldiers have killed at least 5 U.S. citizens in the #WestBank since the 2023 Hamas attack. Mike Schmitt & Julia Flores examine occupying power’s LOAC obligation to maintain public order & ensure the security of persons. lieber.westpoint.edu/protecting-inh…

On June 9, 2025, #Israel intercepted the #Madleen attempting to breach Israel’s longstanding naval #blockade of #Gaza. @DVelenczei explores the legal framework governing #navalblockades and examines the lawfulness of the interception of the Madleen. lieber.westpoint.edu/madleen-incide…

War termination is not merely a legal or diplomatic task but a strategic choice. Some options for ending the #war in #Ukraine carry greater risks to #deterrence and international #security than others, argues Andrea Logan. lieber.westpoint.edu/war-terminatio…

. #Intelligence wars take place in an environment shrouded in legal #ambiguity regarding the status of its warriors, how undercover and other clandestine operations are carried out, and the strategic context in which they unfold, argues Ken Watkin. lieber.westpoint.edu/intelligence-w…

Irregular operations hide in the shadows of a legally ambiguous environment. Ken Watkin explores this area of legal uncertainty by assessing the increasing reliance placed on “#intelligence wars” and the types of units engaged in such hostilities. lieber.westpoint.edu/intelligence-w…

The abandonment of the #OttawaConvention by some States is far from ideal and should be avoided where possible. Inna Zavorotko & Oleksii Plotnikov explore possible alternatives and ask what remains for States that choose to withdraw from the Convention. lieber.westpoint.edu/what-left-afte…

As Robert Kolb’s post on special agreements shows, modern #IHL, including especially the Geneva Conventions, requires holistic reading and thoughtful interpretation. lieber.westpoint.edu/cross-linkages…

Kevin S. Coble identifies in his post some factors commanders and planners may consider when evaluating an attack’s #militaryadvantage and explains how those individuals may use the factors when conducting a #proportionality analysis. lieber.westpoint.edu/operational-pe…

Comparative law provides a modality to explore the interrelationship between IL & domestic law. @DanStigall50 explores this function of #comparativelaw by highlighting the intertextual dialogue between international treaties and civil codes. lieber.westpoint.edu/comparative-la…

. #Ukraine announced its intention to cease performing “irrelevant obligations” of the #OttawaConvention. Duncan Hollis analyzes Ukraine’s decision as it has not publicly qualified its withdrawal as a denunciation. lieber.westpoint.edu/ukraine-future…

The recent #Israeli strikes and their surrounding context raise the critical question of the life cycle of #selfdefense situations under IL. @biggerstaff_wc explores when it is appropriate to conduct a responding State’s #jusadbellum analysis anew. lieber.westpoint.edu/operation-risi…

In modern IL, the separation of #jusadbellum & #jusinbello is frequently treated as dogma. @TNWheatley argues that although the two bodies of law can be treated separately, the notion that the two must remain absolutely separate is legally unsupported. lieber.westpoint.edu/myth-jus-ad-be…

The recent launch of #Cosmos2588 has revived long-standing concerns about the potential deployment of #ASAT capabilities and the broader issue of #space weaponization. Berfin Deniz Çabuk explores the legal ambiguity surrounding ASAT technologies. lieber.westpoint.edu/shadows-orbit-…

. #Datapoisoning represents a powerful addition to the U.S. arsenal of covert capabilities, offering a distinct advantage in the evolving landscape of #AI driven #warfare, argues Aaron Conti. lieber.westpoint.edu/data-poisoning…

The Operation Rising Lion sparked a sophisticated debate over the parameters of the international law right of #selfdefense. Michael Schmitt asks when it is appropriate for States to reinterpret long-held international law rules. lieber.westpoint.edu/interpreting-l…

Robert Kolb’s Advanced Introduction to International Humanitarian Law, 2nd edition, surveys recent developments & challenges facing #IHL. It is hoped that this volume will foster a more informed IHL dialogue between States & their various constituencies. lieber.westpoint.edu/robert-kolbs-a…

A number of experts have set out their position on whether #Israel has a credible claim to #selfdefense for its recent and ongoing series of strikes against #Iran. Terry Gill explores why the Israeli airstrikes would not qualify as lawful self-defense. lieber.westpoint.edu/israel-united-…

The integration of a video-game-like point system represents a new paradigm in modern #warfare. Chad Bird and Michelle Lukomski argue that when structured within the boundaries of #LOAC, the point system can incentivize #compliance with the law. lieber.westpoint.edu/ready-soldier-…

Statehood under IL is not about a political entity’s factual existence or a degree of its factual control over the relevant territory, argues Alexander Orakhelashvili. lieber.westpoint.edu/statehood-law-…

The protection of #culturalproperty during military #occupation raises complex legal challenges. @natiakalanda argues that the international community must actively seek ways to strengthen legal accountability mechanisms for violating cultural property. lieber.westpoint.edu/protection-cul…