The Syrian Conflict's Impact on International Law

Written as the decade-long Syria conflict nears an end, this book explores changes in International Law brought about by the conflict.

Michael P. Scharf (Author), Milena Sterio (Author), Paul R. Williams (Author)

9781108491532, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 26 March 2020

250 pages
23.5 x 15.7 x 1.7 cm, 0.45 kg

'This book is worthy of its place in any contemporary international law library, particularly where a core focus is the use of force.' Gary Wilson, Liverpool Law Review

Written as the decade-long Syria conflict nears an end, this is the first book-length treatment of how the Syrian war has changed international law. In The Syrian Conflict's Impact on International Law, the authors explain the history of the current conflict in Syria and discuss the principles and process of customary international law formation and the phenomenon of accelerated formation of customary international law known as Grotian Moments. They then explore specific examples, including how use of force against ISIS in Syria has changed the law of self-defense against non-state actors, how the allied airstrikes in response to Syria's use of chemical weapons have changed the law of humanitarian intervention, and others. This book seeks to contribute both to understanding the concept of accelerated formation of customary international law and the specific ways the Syria conflict has led to development of new norms and principles in several areas of international law.

1. Introduction
2. Historical Background
3. Accelerated Formation of Customary International Law
4. Use of Force in Self-Defense against Non-State Actors
5. Humanitarian Intervention in Response to Use of Chemical Weapons
6. Transformation of Accountability Paradigms
7. The Syrian Migration Crisis
8. International Law and the Syrian Peace Process
9. Conclusion
Appendix
Index.

Subject Areas: Public international law [LBB], International relations [JPS], Middle Eastern history [HBJF1]