Marc Weller on what international law has to say about the Israel-Hamas conflict
Military advantage must be balanced against the risk of civilian casualties, even when vital interests are at stake, says the law professor
LAW ACCEPTS the reality that war is a feature of human relations. Hence, law in war is meant to strike a balance between the need to use force in extreme circumstances and the wish to reduce the prospect of war and keep the associated human suffering to a minimum. This balancing act takes two forms. The UN Charter limits the right of states to make war. Humanitarian law limits the means of warfare.
Explore more
From the November 4th 2023 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionDiscover more
Three presidents on the partnerships that can at last transform Africa
Success teeters on bold, stable funding, say Julius Maada Bio, Lazarus Chakwera and Andry Rajoelina
Assisted-dying advocates’ claims of freedom have it backward, says Danny Kruger
One of a pair of essays in which members of Parliament argue their cases
My assisted-dying bill safely solves a grave injustice, says Kim Leadbeater
One of a pair of essays in which members of Parliament argue their cases
“Middle powers” can thrive in the age of AI, says Eric Schmidt
Google’s former chief executive has a playbook for riding out the revolution
Polls get elections wrong. So use Google, says Seth Stephens-Davidowitz
The data scientist argues that stronger predictions lie in what people search for
War in Ukraine may only intensify under Trump, says Dmytro Kuleba
The country’s former foreign minister explains the powderkeg that is three leaders in a cannot-lose standoff