War Law

“Professor Byers’s book goes to the heart of some of the most bitterly contested recent controversies about the International Rule of Law.” —Chris Patten, Chancellor of Oxford University International law governing the use of military force has been the subject of intense public debate. Under what conditions is it appropriate, or necessary, for a country to use force when diplomacy has failed? Michael Byers, a widely known world expert on international law, weighs these issues in War Law. Byers examines the history of armed conflict and international law through a series of case studies of past conflicts, ranging from the 1837 Caroline Incident to the abuse of detainees by US forces at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. Byers explores the legal controversies that surrounded the 1999 and 2001 interventions in Kosovo and Afghanistan and the 2003 war in Iraq; the development of international humanitarian law from the 1859 Battle of Solferino to the present; and the role of war crimes tribunals and the International Criminal Court. He also considers the unique influence of the United States in the evolution of this extremely controversial area of international law. War Law is neither a textbook nor a treatise, but a fascinating account of a highly controversial topic that is necessary reading for fans of military history and general readers alike. “Should be read, and pondered, by those who are seriously concerned with the legacy we will leave to future generations.” —Noam Chomsky

This book tells the story of how two of America's closest allies, Canada and Britain, have sought to reconcile their security concerns with their legal obligations during two of the most significant international conflicts since the Second World War.

A detailed and highly authoritative critical commentary appraising the vitally important United States Department of Defense Law of War Manual.

Extensive excerpts from such documents as the charter of the United Nations, the Hague conventions, the Geneva conventions and protocols, and the Nuremburg judgment.

Analysis of the changing legal context of modern warfare including developments over the last decade.

Comprehensive collection of materials, including texts of treaties and agreements, war crimes trials, et cetera from the Paris Convention of 1856 to contemporary court cases stemming from the Vietnam conflict.

This concise reference work has been extensively revised and updated. It has been prepared with the assistance of the official Depositaries of the various international agreements and will be of use to statesmen and diplomats, lawyers, journalists and students of international relations.