About this episode
The episode discusses the legality of war under international law, focusing on recent conflicts involving Israel, the United States, and Iran.
Under international law, when can a country declare war on another? Was it legal for Israel and the United States to have carried out "pre-emptive" airstrikes across most of Iran’s provinces, which started the war? The USA says the attacks were justfied, because of an imminent threat from Iran's nuclear programme, and Israel claims it acted in self-defence. The Israeli President went further - telling the BBC that focusing on the legality of the war instead of regional security is "mind-boggling" to him. And what of Iran's response? Was it reasonable under international law? In the last few weeks, practically all its Gulf-state neighbours have been targeted, as well as its drones or missiles landing in Syria, Cyprus, Turkey and Azerbajan. So does the Iranian retalliation justify the American and Israeli attacks under international law? And if any country breaks international laws - are there any real consequences? Presenter: Dr Joelle Grogan Producers: Ravi Naik and Charlotte Rowles Editor: Tom Bigwood Contributors: Susan Breau, Professor of International law at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of London Christian Henderson, Professor of International Law…
People in this episode
Host: Dr Joelle Grogan
Guests: Susan Breau, Christian Henderson, Éamon Chawke
Topics covered
- international law
- war legality
- pre-emptive strikes
- self-defence
- Iran's response
- regional security
Keywords
- war
- international law
- pre-emptive airstrikes
- self-defence
- Iran
- Israel
- United States
- regional security
- consequences
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of Sussex, Briffa Legal
Places: Israel, United States, Iran, Syria, Cyprus, Turkey, Azerbaijan
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