International Ethical, Legal & Relations Issues in Times of Conflict: Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Libya & Syria Professor Robert L. Summers,

International Ethical, International Ethical, Legal & RelationsLegal & Relations Issues in Times of Issues in Times of

Conflict: Afghanistan, Conflict: Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, North Iraq, Iran, North

Korea, Libya & SyriaKorea, Libya & SyriaProfessor Robert L . Summers, Jr.Professor Robert L . Summers, Jr.

B.A., J.D., M.S.L.S., M.A. (I.R.), C.A.I.A. B.A., J.D., M.S.L.S., M.A. (I.R.), C.A.I.A.

International Ethics: Issues in Times of Conflict

ISSUE: When should the U.S. use ISSUE: When should the U.S. use force?force?

Calculus: Triangulation – 3 FactorsCalculus: Triangulation – 3 Factors– A. Ethical Construct – Just War TheoryA. Ethical Construct – Just War Theory– B. International Law-Treaty & CustomB. International Law-Treaty & Custom– C. U.S. Foreign Policy – Four PillarsC. U.S. Foreign Policy – Four Pillars


The Ethical Construct: Just The Ethical Construct: Just WarWar


Ethical Construct – Just WarEthical Construct – Just War Just War Theory – Just War Theory – Bellum JustumBellum Justum Traditional Traditional DualistDualist Model: Model:

– Just Decision to go to War –Just Decision to go to War –Jus ad Jus ad BellumBellum

– Just Conduct of War – Just Conduct of War – Jus in BelloJus in Bello


Ethical Construct – Just War Ethical Construct – Just War

Just War Theory – Just War Theory – Bellum JustumBellum Justum

Progressive Progressive TripartiteTripartite Model: Model:

Just decision to go to War –Just decision to go to War – Jus ad Jus ad BellumBellum

– Just Conduct in War – Just Conduct in War – Jus in BelloJus in Bello– Justice after War –Justice after War – Jus post Bellum Jus post Bellum


Bellum Justum – Jus ad BellumBellum Justum – Jus ad Bellum– Just CauseJust Cause– Right IntentionRight Intention– Competent AuthorityCompetent Authority– Public DeclarationPublic Declaration– Limited Objectives Limited Objectives – Last ResortLast Resort– Reasonable Expectation of SuccessReasonable Expectation of Success


Bellum Justum – Jus in BelloBellum Justum – Jus in Bello– ProportionalityProportionality– DiscriminationDiscrimination


Bellum Justum – Jus post BellumBellum Justum – Jus post Bellum

- Adhere to the Rule of Law- Adhere to the Rule of Law

- Establish democratic constitutionalism- Establish democratic constitutionalism

- Prevent unjust gains for aggressors- Prevent unjust gains for aggressors

- Prevent unjust gains for victors- Prevent unjust gains for victors

- Disarm and demilitarize society at large- Disarm and demilitarize society at large

- Establish effective external/internal security- Establish effective external/internal security

- Develop appropriate civil society- Develop appropriate civil society


Bellum Justum – Jus post BellumBellum Justum – Jus post Bellum

- Provide high quality value-centered education- Provide high quality value-centered education

- Ensure equitable distribution of economic and - Ensure equitable distribution of economic and societal benefits (short term)societal benefits (short term)

- Establish market-based economy (long term)- Establish market-based economy (long term)

- Ensure justice for perpetrators of WCs, CAH, - Ensure justice for perpetrators of WCs, CAH, CAP etc. (Substantive-Institutional-Procedural)CAP etc. (Substantive-Institutional-Procedural)

- Ensure option of truth and reconciliation- Ensure option of truth and reconciliation

- Ensure option of restorative justice- Ensure option of restorative justice

- Stabilizing exit strategy of occupying power - Stabilizing exit strategy of occupying power


ISSUE: ISSUE: Bellum Justum Bellum Justum – Traditional – Traditional (bipartite) or Progressive (tripartite) model(bipartite) or Progressive (tripartite) model

Traditional model suffices b/c its tenets, if Traditional model suffices b/c its tenets, if faithfully adhered to, provide the basis for faithfully adhered to, provide the basis for return to return to status quo antestatus quo ante….….

Progressive model is preferable b/c it Progressive model is preferable b/c it assumes that assumes that Bellum Justum Bellum Justum tenets are not tenets are not always adhered to in times of armed always adhered to in times of armed conflict, i.e. Unjust War; new model seeks conflict, i.e. Unjust War; new model seeks status quo ante plus…status quo ante plus…


Jus post BellumJus post Bellum dilemma dilemma Moral Dilemma for the U.S.: Moral Dilemma for the U.S.:

Current and Projected Costs- Loss Current and Projected Costs- Loss of ”Blood and Treasure”-already of ”Blood and Treasure”-already sustained from conflicts in Iraq sustained from conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistanand Afghanistan plus plus subsequent subsequent costs to fulfill costs to fulfill Jus post BellumJus post Bellum imperativeimperative


Jus post BellumJus post Bellum—Financial Cost—Financial Cost– Stiglitz and Bilmes estimated the Stiglitz and Bilmes estimated the

cost of the Iraq conflict will exceed cost of the Iraq conflict will exceed $3 Trillion $3 Trillion

– Compare: WW I, WW II, Korea, Compare: WW I, WW II, Korea, VietnamVietnam

– Only WW II cost moreOnly WW II cost more


U. S. Foreign PolicyU. S. Foreign Policy


U.S. Foreign Policy – Four Pillars (4 U.S. Foreign Policy – Four Pillars (4 Ps)Ps)

1. Power/Security1. Power/Security 2. Prosperity2. Prosperity 3. Peace3. Peace 4. Principle4. Principle Effect of the Domestic & Effect of the Domestic &

International Political Processes??International Political Processes??


ISSUE: The Problematic ISSUE: The Problematic Triangulation: Can Just Triangulation: Can Just War, U.S. Foreign Policy War, U.S. Foreign Policy and International Law be and International Law be harmonized? harmonized?


Images of WarImages of War


War in AfghanistanWar in Afghanistan


Captured TalibanCaptured Taliban

International Ethics: Issues in Times of Conflict Marines in AfghanistanMarines in Afghanistan


Food Distribution in Afghanistan Food Distribution in Afghanistan by UNHCRby UNHCR


Hamid KarzaiHamid Karzai


Baghdad BurnsBaghdad Burns


Military in IraqMilitary in Iraq


War in IraqWar in Iraq


Leaving BasraLeaving Basra


Humanitarian Mission during Iraqi Humanitarian Mission during Iraqi FreedomFreedom


Bushehr Nuclear Plant in IranBushehr Nuclear Plant in Iran


Iranian Technician working at Iranian Technician working at Isfahan Uranium Conversion Isfahan Uranium Conversion

FacilitiesFacilities


Iranian President AhmadinejadIranian President Ahmadinejad


Iranian Revolutionary GuardIranian Revolutionary Guard


North Korea’s Yongbyon Nuclear North Korea’s Yongbyon Nuclear ReactorReactor

International Ethics: Issues in Times of Conflict Kim Jong Il MonumentKim Jong Il Monument


Kim Jong Il Kim Jong Il

International Ethics: Issues in Times of Conflict North Korean MilitaryNorth Korean Military


Libyan DemocracyLibyan DemocracyLibyan rebels fire a rocket launcher as they battle government forces outside Bin Jawwad

Rebels take cover from Libyan fighters during a bombing raid on a checkpoint at Ras Lanuf. The oil town has changed hands three times in the past nine days


Yemeni RebellionYemeni Rebellion

Yemenis protest against the regime of President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sanaa


PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAWLAW


PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAWPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW– United Nations Charter (1945)United Nations Charter (1945)– Geneva Conventions I-IV + ProtocolsGeneva Conventions I-IV + Protocols (1949)(1949)

– International Bill of Human Rights:International Bill of Human Rights: Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR)

(1948) (1948) International Covenant on Civil & political Rights International Covenant on Civil & political Rights

(ICCPR) + Protocols (1966/76)(ICCPR) + Protocols (1966/76) International Covenant on Economic, Social & International Covenant on Economic, Social &

Cultural Rights (ICESCR) + Protocol Cultural Rights (ICESCR) + Protocol (1966/76)(1966/76)

Plus Progeny (50+ Treaties)Plus Progeny (50+ Treaties)


U.N. Charter Art. 1.1: U.N. PurposesU.N. Charter Art. 1.1: U.N. Purposes– ““Maintain international peace & securityMaintain international peace & security..”..”– ““CollectiveCollective measuresmeasures for the for the preventionprevention

and removal of and removal of threatsthreats to the peace…” to the peace…”– ““SuppressionSuppression of acts of aggression and of acts of aggression and

other breaches of the peace…”other breaches of the peace…”– ““SettlementSettlement of international disputes or of international disputes or

situations which might lead to a breach of situations which might lead to a breach of the peace” by “the peace” by “peaceful meanspeaceful means…”…”


U.N. Charter Art. 1.2 U.N. U.N. Charter Art. 1.2 U.N. PurposesPurposes– ““To develop To develop friendly relations among friendly relations among

nationsnations based on respect for the based on respect for the principle of principle of equal rights and self equal rights and self determination of peoplesdetermination of peoples …” …”

– ““and to take and to take other appropriate other appropriate measuresmeasures to strengthen to strengthen universal universal peacepeace.” .”


U.N. Charter Art. 1.3: U.N. U.N. Charter Art. 1.3: U.N. PurposesPurposes– ““To achieve international To achieve international

cooperation in promoting and cooperation in promoting and encouraging respect for encouraging respect for human human rights and fundamental freedoms…”rights and fundamental freedoms…”

– ““for all without distinction as to race, for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion….”sex, language or religion….”


U.N. Charter Art. 2.3: Members’ U.N. Charter Art. 2.3: Members’ DutiesDuties– ““All members shall settle their All members shall settle their

disputes by disputes by peaceful methodspeaceful methods in in such a manner that international such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are peace and security, and justice, are not endangered.”not endangered.”


U.N. Charter Art. 2.4: Members’ U.N. Charter Art. 2.4: Members’ DutiesDuties– ““All members shall refrain in their All members shall refrain in their

international relations from the international relations from the threat or use of forcethreat or use of force against the against the territorial integrity or political territorial integrity or political independence of any stateindependence of any state,, or in any or in any manner inconsistent with the manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United NationsPurposes of the United Nations.”.”


U.N. Charter Art. 2.7: Members’ U.N. Charter Art. 2.7: Members’ DutiesDuties– The U.N. may not “The U.N. may not “intervene intervene in in

matters which are essentially within matters which are essentially within the the domesticdomestic jurisdiction of any jurisdiction of any state….but this principle shall not state….but this principle shall not prejudice the application of prejudice the application of ((collective) enforcementcollective) enforcement measures measures under Chapter VII” under Chapter VII”


U.N. Charter Art. 24: IP & S U.N. Charter Art. 24: IP & S ResponsibilityResponsibility– “…“…Members confer upon the Members confer upon the

Security Council primary Security Council primary responsibilityresponsibility for the maintenance of for the maintenance of international peace and security, international peace and security, and agree that in carrying out its and agree that in carrying out its duties under this responsibility the duties under this responsibility the Security Acts on their behalf.”Security Acts on their behalf.”


U.N. Charter Art. 25: ComplianceU.N. Charter Art. 25: Compliance– ““The The members of the United Nations members of the United Nations

agree to accept and carry out the agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Councildecisions of the Security Council in in accordance with the present accordance with the present Charter.”Charter.”


U.N. Charter-Art. 2 & Ch. V, VI and U.N. Charter-Art. 2 & Ch. V, VI and VII re: Application & Enforcement VII re: Application & Enforcement of PIL via of PIL via Dispute Resolution Dispute Resolution MethodsMethods– Peaceful Non-Binding MethodsPeaceful Non-Binding Methods– Peaceful Binding MethodsPeaceful Binding Methods– Non-Peaceful Binding MethodsNon-Peaceful Binding Methods


Application and Enforcement of PILApplication and Enforcement of PIL U.N. Charter-Art. 33: U.N. Charter-Art. 33: PeacefulPeaceful Non-Non-BindingBinding Dispute Resolution Methods: Dispute Resolution Methods: – InquiryInquiry– NegotiationNegotiation– MediationMediation– [Good Offices (CIL)][Good Offices (CIL)]– ConciliationConciliation– Combination of Methods (CIL)Combination of Methods (CIL)


Application and Enforcement of Application and Enforcement of PILPIL

U.N. Charter Art. 33: U.N. Charter Art. 33: Peaceful Peaceful Binding Binding Methods: Methods: – ArbitrationArbitration– Adjudication-International Adjudication-International

Courts Courts


Application & Enforcement of PILApplication & Enforcement of PIL– U.N. Charter 33: Other MethodsU.N. Charter 33: Other Methods

““Resort to regional agencies or Resort to regional agencies or arrangements” (e.g. arrangements” (e.g. NATO/Kosovo) orNATO/Kosovo) or

““Other peaceful means of Other peaceful means of [member states] choice” [member states] choice”


Application & Enforcement of PIL: U.N. Application & Enforcement of PIL: U.N. Charter, Chapter VII- U.N. Security Council & Charter, Chapter VII- U.N. Security Council & the Use of Force - Multilateral/Collective Self the Use of Force - Multilateral/Collective Self Defense (Defense (Non-Peaceful D/RNon-Peaceful D/R))– Art 39: IP & S Determination (“Threat” or Art 39: IP & S Determination (“Threat” or

“Breach”)“Breach”)– Art 40: Non-Prejudicial “Provisional Art 40: Non-Prejudicial “Provisional

Measures”Measures”– Art 41: Economic/Communications Art 41: Economic/Communications

SanctionsSanctions– Art 42: Armed Force & ProportionalityArt 42: Armed Force & Proportionality


Application and Enforcement of PILApplication and Enforcement of PIL– Types of Non-Peaceful Dispute Resolution w/ Armed Types of Non-Peaceful Dispute Resolution w/ Armed

Force - Issues: Legality? Ethics? USFP?Force - Issues: Legality? Ethics? USFP? 1. M/L 1. M/L oror U/L Self Defense-UN Charter, Ch. VII U/L Self Defense-UN Charter, Ch. VII 2. M/L 2. M/L or or U/L Anticipatory Self Defense/Preemptive U/L Anticipatory Self Defense/Preemptive

War - U.N. Charter (M/L) + CIL (U/L)War - U.N. Charter (M/L) + CIL (U/L) 4. M/L or U/L Preventive War – UN Charter (M/L) 4. M/L or U/L Preventive War – UN Charter (M/L)

+ ?? (U/L)+ ?? (U/L) 5. U/L Protective Intervention - CIL5. U/L Protective Intervention - CIL 6. M/L6. M/L or or U/L Humanitarian Intervention-UN U/L Humanitarian Intervention-UN

Charter (M/L) + Charter (M/L) + CIL CIL (U/L)(U/L)


Unilateral Self Defense w/ Armed ForceUnilateral Self Defense w/ Armed Force– Art. 51: Member N.S.s’ Right of Unilateral or Art. 51: Member N.S.s’ Right of Unilateral or

Collective Regional Self Defense in response Collective Regional Self Defense in response to an to an “armed attack”“armed attack”

– Response must be proportionalResponse must be proportional– U.N. Security Council prerogativesU.N. Security Council prerogatives– Afghanistan-U/L U.S. response to 911 attacksAfghanistan-U/L U.S. response to 911 attacks– Contrast M/L U.N. Liberation Force for Kuwait Contrast M/L U.N. Liberation Force for Kuwait

(1991) under U.N. Charter Chapter VII(1991) under U.N. Charter Chapter VII


Anticipatory Self Defense/PreemptionAnticipatory Self Defense/Preemption

– Non-Peaceful Methods of Dispute Resolution: Non-Peaceful Methods of Dispute Resolution: – Anticipatory Self Defense/Preemptive War (CIL)Anticipatory Self Defense/Preemptive War (CIL)

Five Elements: (1) Force Initiator is the Target; Five Elements: (1) Force Initiator is the Target; Threat is (2) Imminent and (3) Overwhelming; Threat is (2) Imminent and (3) Overwhelming; (4) Force is Last Resort (5) Force is Proportional(4) Force is Last Resort (5) Force is Proportional

M/L - U.N. Charter & “Threat” – North Korea?M/L - U.N. Charter & “Threat” – North Korea? U/L? - U.S. Invasion of Iraq w/o UN approval U/L? - U.S. Invasion of Iraq w/o UN approval

(2003)?(2003)? U/L - CIL Doctrine: Alignment with PIL + Art. 51??U/L - CIL Doctrine: Alignment with PIL + Art. 51?? Alignment with Just War Theory ?? USFP??Alignment with Just War Theory ?? USFP??


Preventive Self DefensePreventive Self Defense– Non-Peaceful Methods of Dispute Resolution: Non-Peaceful Methods of Dispute Resolution:

Armed ForceArmed Force– Preventive Self Defense: Legal status?? Art. Preventive Self Defense: Legal status?? Art.

51??51?? Six Elements: (1)Force Initiator reasonably Six Elements: (1)Force Initiator reasonably

believes that war with adversary is (2) believes that war with adversary is (2) inevitable and (3) overwhelming but (4) inevitable and (3) overwhelming but (4) not not imminentimminent (5) Strike is proportional and (6) (5) Strike is proportional and (6) will bring decisive victorywill bring decisive victory

M/L or U/L invasion of Iran? North Korea?M/L or U/L invasion of Iran? North Korea? Hazardous reliance on accuracy of Hazardous reliance on accuracy of

intelligenceintelligence Compliance with PIL ?? Just War?? USFP?? Compliance with PIL ?? Just War?? USFP??


Protective InterventionProtective Intervention– Non-Peaceful Methods of Dispute Non-Peaceful Methods of Dispute

Resolution: Armed ForceResolution: Armed Force– Protective Intervention: Five Elements: (1) Protective Intervention: Five Elements: (1)

Force Initiator intervenes to protect its Force Initiator intervenes to protect its nationals (2) Actual/Escalating/Imminent nationals (2) Actual/Escalating/Imminent Harm (3) Harm is Harm (3) Harm is Significant/Overwhelming (4) Last Resort Significant/Overwhelming (4) Last Resort (5) Proportionality(5) Proportionality

– CIL Doctrine + UN Charter, Arts. 1.3 + 2.4CIL Doctrine + UN Charter, Arts. 1.3 + 2.4– Alignment with PIL? Just War?? USFP??Alignment with PIL? Just War?? USFP??– U/L U.S. Invasion of Panama in 1991U/L U.S. Invasion of Panama in 1991


Humanitarian Intervention (CIL)Humanitarian Intervention (CIL)– Non-Peaceful Dispute Resolution-Armed ForceNon-Peaceful Dispute Resolution-Armed Force– Four elements: (1) External force initiator Four elements: (1) External force initiator

rescues foreign nationals in their nation state of rescues foreign nationals in their nation state of origin (2) Human rights violations are massive origin (2) Human rights violations are massive and egregious (3) Overwhelming and continuing and egregious (3) Overwhelming and continuing (4) Last Resort and (5) Force is Proportional(4) Last Resort and (5) Force is Proportional

– Controversial CIL Doctrine if U/L…Sovereignty??Controversial CIL Doctrine if U/L…Sovereignty??– Alignment with PIL?? Just War?? USFP??Alignment with PIL?? Just War?? USFP??– No-fly zones in Iraq (U/L) & Libya (M/L)No-fly zones in Iraq (U/L) & Libya (M/L)– Compare & Contrast non-forceful I/V in SyriaCompare & Contrast non-forceful I/V in Syria


The TriangulationThe Triangulation

Ethics: Just War TheoryEthics: Just War Theory

Law: Public International LawLaw: Public International Law

USFP: The Four PillarsUSFP: The Four Pillars


“ “Every gun that is made, every Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and not not fed, those who are cold and not clothed.”clothed.”- Dwight D. Eisenhower on domestic - Dwight D. Eisenhower on domestic

tradeoffs during foreign conflictstradeoffs during foreign conflicts


Primary Sources-United NationsPrimary Sources-United Nations– U.N. Charter, Arts. 1-51.U.N. Charter, Arts. 1-51.– U.N. Security Council ResolutionsU.N. Security Council Resolutions

S.C. Res. 1368, U.N. Doc. S/RES/1368 S.C. Res. 1368, U.N. Doc. S/RES/1368 (Sept. 12, 2001).(Sept. 12, 2001).

S.C. Res. 661, U.N. Doc. S/RES/661 S.C. Res. 661, U.N. Doc. S/RES/661 (Aug. 6, 1990).(Aug. 6, 1990).

S.C. Res. 986, U.N. Doc. S/RES/986 (Apr. S.C. Res. 986, U.N. Doc. S/RES/986 (Apr. 14, 1995).14, 1995).


Primary Sources- United NationsPrimary Sources- United Nations– U.N. Security Council ResolutionsU.N. Security Council Resolutions

S.C. Res. 1737, U.N. Doc. S/RES/1737 S.C. Res. 1737, U.N. Doc. S/RES/1737 (Dec. 27, 2006).(Dec. 27, 2006).

S.C. Res. 1747, U.N. Doc. S/RES/1747 S.C. Res. 1747, U.N. Doc. S/RES/1747 (Mar. 24, 2007).(Mar. 24, 2007).

S.C. Res. 1803, U.N. Doc. S/RES/1803 S.C. Res. 1803, U.N. Doc. S/RES/1803 (Mar. 3, 2008).(Mar. 3, 2008).


Primary Sources- North Atlantic Primary Sources- North Atlantic Treaty Organization & Treaty Organization & Organization of American StatesOrganization of American States– North Atlantic Treaty, Apr. 4, 1949, North Atlantic Treaty, Apr. 4, 1949,

63 Stat. 2241, 34 U.N.T.S. 243.63 Stat. 2241, 34 U.N.T.S. 243.– Charter of the Organization of Charter of the Organization of

American States, Dec. 13, 1951, 119 American States, Dec. 13, 1951, 119 U.N.T.S. 3.U.N.T.S. 3.


Sources: SecondarySources: Secondary– Joseph E. Stiglitz & Linda J. Bilmes, Joseph E. Stiglitz & Linda J. Bilmes, The Three The Three

Trillion Dollar War: The True Costs of the Iraq Trillion Dollar War: The True Costs of the Iraq ConflictConflict, W.W. Morton (2008)., W.W. Morton (2008).

– Paul Christopher, Paul Christopher, The Ethics of War and Peace: An The Ethics of War and Peace: An Introduction to Legal and Moral IssuesIntroduction to Legal and Moral Issues, Prentice , Prentice Hall (2004).Hall (2004).

– Mark R. Amstutz, Mark R. Amstutz, International Ethics: Concepts, International Ethics: Concepts, Theories and Cases in Global PoliticsTheories and Cases in Global Politics, Rowman and , Rowman and Littlefield Pub. (2005).Littlefield Pub. (2005).

– Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, “War,” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, “War,” http://plato/stanford.edu/entries/war, last visited , last visited 2/27/10 2/27/10


QUESTIONS or COMMENTS?QUESTIONS or COMMENTS?

Documents

International Ethical, Legal & Relations Issues in Times of Conflict: Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Libya & Syria Professor Robert L. Summers,