About This Course
Since September 11th, there is hardly a day when some aspect of the Law of Armed Conflict is not discussed in the media, from allegations of war crimes at Abu Gharib, Haditha, and GITMO, to use of military commissions as a means to try unlawful enemy combatants. The issue of the use of private security contractors performing tasks on the battlefield that are, in many cases, indistinguishable for those performed by soldiers, has become a subject of controversy and scrutiny. This exciting course will cover issues relating to the law of armed conflict. Topics include background information and sources on the law of occupation, what triggers the law of occupation, obligations of occupiers, rights of the occupied and lessons from the occupation of Iraq.