International Humanitarian Law: A Deep Dive
The rules that govern armed conflict, from the Geneva Conventions to modern challenges like cyber warfare.
The Laws of War
International humanitarian law (IHL) regulates the conduct of armed conflict. Its purpose is not to prevent war but to limit its effects, particularly on those who are not or no longer participating in hostilities: civilians, wounded soldiers, and prisoners of war. The core framework consists of the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, ratified by every state in the world, and their Additional Protocols of 1977.
IHL rests on four fundamental principles. Distinction requires parties to distinguish between combatants and civilians, and to direct attacks only at military objectives. Proportionality prohibits attacks where expected civilian harm would be excessive relative to the anticipated military advantage. Military necessity permits only the degree of force required to achieve a legitimate military objective. And humanity prohibits inflicting unnecessary suffering, even on combatants.