The Law of War: A Detailed Assessment of the US Department of Defense Law of War Manual

by William H. Boothby, Wolff Heintschel von Heinegg

Overview

In 2015, the United States Department of Defense published its long-awaited Law of War Manual making a significant statement on the position of the US government on important military matters. Whilst readers recognise the Manual's legal and strategic importance, they may question whether particular statements of law are legally accurate or complete. This book offers a unique in-depth review of the complete Manual, including revisions, on a paragraph-by-paragraph, line-by-line and word-by-word basis. The authors offer their personal assessment of the DoD's declared view as to the law that regulates the conduct of warfare, a subject of unparalleled current importance. William H. Boothby and Wolff Heintschel von Heinegg offer a balanced, articulate and authoritative critique for readers perusing the Manual in whatever capacity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781108446358
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	08/08/2019
Pages:	480
Product dimensions:	8.86(w) x 5.91(h) x 1.18(d)

About the Author

William H. Boothby is an associate fellow at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. A former Air Commodore, he retired as Deputy Director of Legal Services for the RAF in 2011.

Wolff Heintschel von Heinegg is the Chair of Public Law, in particular Public International Law, European Law and Foreign Constitutional Law, at Europa-Universität Viadrina in Germany.

Table of Contents

Introduction; 1. General background; 2. Principles; 3. Application of the law of war; 4. Classes of persons; 5. The conduct of hostilities; 6. Weapons; 7. Wounded, sick, shipwrecked, dead and the medical services; 8. Detention – overview and baseline rules; 9. Prisoners of war; 10. Civilians in the hands of a party to the conflict; 11. Military occupation; 12. Non-hostile relations between belligerents; 13. Naval warfare; 14. Air and space warfare; 15. The law of neutrality; 16. Cyber operations; 17. Non-international armed conflict; 18. Implementation and enforcement of the law of war; 19. Documentary appendix – notes on treaties and other relevant documents; 20. Post-publication amendments.