International Law and the Use of Force, 3rd Edition

• A new edition of this leading title on the use of force
• Thoroughly examines rapidly changing State practice in this controversial area
• Covers not only the use of force by states but also UN enforcement and peacekeeping action and regional action
• Offers accessible introductory analysis of cross-disciplinary interest

New to this edition

• Examines the implications of the 2006 Israel/Lebanon conflict and of Ethiopian intervention in Somalia
• Increased coverage of the doctrine of pre-emptive self-defence in light of recent UN reports
• Analysis of recent major ICJ cases including the decision on the Israeli security wall

This book explores the whole of 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 growing importance of regional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security.

Since the publication of the second edition of

the law in this area has continued to undergo a fundamental reappraisal. Operation Enduring Freedom carries on against Al Qaida and the Taliban in Afghanistan six years after the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. Can this still be justified as self-defence in the 'war on terror'? Is there now a wide right of pre-emptive self-defence against armed attacks by non-state actors? The 2006 Israel/Lebanon conflict and the recent intervention of Ethiopia in Somalia raise questions about whether the 'war on terror' has brought major changes in the law on self-defence and on regime change. The 2003 invasion of Iraq gave rise to serious divisions between states as to the legality of this use of force and to talk of a crisis of collective security for the UN. In response the UN initiated major reports on the future of the Charter system; these rejected amendment of the Charter provisions on the use of force. They also rejected any right of pre-emptive self-defence. They advocated a 'responsibility to protect' in cases of genocide or massive violations of human rights; the events in Darfur show the practical difficulties with the implementation of such a duty.

Readership: Scholars and students working in international law and international relations. Practitioners, diplomats, and policy-makers.