Jus ad Bellum

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Collection: U.S. Lethal Strikes on Suspected Drug Traffickers, Operation Southern Spear, Operation Absolute Resolve

Collection of expert analysis on the legality of the U.S. strike on Venezuelan vessels in the Caribbean, the consequences of the strike, and related issues.
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 02: U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (R) looks on as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting of his Cabinet in the Cabinet Room of the White House on December 02, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Expert Q&A on U.S. Military Actions on Venezuela and Boat Strikes

Expert FAQ on the U.S. military operations against Venezuela, high seas boat strikes, seizure of vessels and more.
A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II taxis at a base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 19, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Operation Hawkeye Strike: Attacking ISIS in Syria and International Law

International law, the new Syrian government, and U.S. military strikes against ISIS

Jus Ad Bellum: Syllabus Supplements

This syllabus supplement offers curated articles intended to be combined with traditional course books and other materials in a law school or higher education classroom.
Two crude oil tankers

Blockading Venezuela: The International Law Consequences

Expert analysis of the announced U.S. military blockade of Venezuela
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 18: U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth arrives to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on June 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Committee met to hear testimony on the proposed budget request for fiscal year 2026 and the future year's defense program for the Department of Defense. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)

U.S. Boat Strike Campaign: Questions Congress Should Ask Executive Branch Officials

A list of questions that should be answered by U.S. government officials regarding the lethal campaign against suspected drug trafficking individuals, groups, and vessels.
A US Marines' Lockheed Martin F35-B jet prepares to land at José Aponte de la Torre Airport, formerly Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, on September 13, 2025, in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. President Donald Trump is sending ten F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico as part of his war on drug cartels, sources familiar with the matter told AFP on September 5, as tensions mount with Venezuela over Washington's military build-up in the Caribbean. The planes will join US warships already deployed to the southern Caribbean as Trump steps up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whom the United States accuses of leading a drug cartel. The Trump administration recently carried out a drone strike in the southern Caribbean against a boat that had left Venezuela and was suspected of transporting drugs. Eleven people died in the attack. The president claimed that the vessel was operated by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. (Photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/AFP via Getty Images)

Attacking Drug Cartels in the Territory of Another State

The U.S. operations conducted to date against suspected members of drug cartels stretch the applicable international law rules and their interpretation beyond recognition.
A NATO AWACS Tactical Director assesses the air and surface situation aboard an AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) NATO air surveillance aircraft during a flight over Polish airspace as part of the alliance's new Eastern Sentry mission on September 19, 2025. NATO said on September 19, 2025, it had scrambled aircraft to intercept Russian jets violating Estonian airspace, calling it proof of Moscow's "reckless" behaviour and the alliance's readiness to counter it. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP) (Photo by JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images)

Legally Available Options in Response to Russia’s Penetrations of NATO Airspace

"International law, in its wisdom, makes such options legally available."
Military justice image

US Servicemembers’ Exposure to Criminal Liability for Lethal Strikes on Narcoterrorists

Analysis by former career judge advocate officer and former court-martial prosecutor.
US Marines' Lockheed Martin F35-B jets arrive in formation to José Aponte de la Torre Airport

Murder by Drone: The Legal and Moral Stakes of the Caribbean Strikes

If allowed to go unchecked, the Caribbean strikes could encourage additional unlawful executions by the United States and other leaders.

Striking Hamas in Qatar: “Unwilling or Unable”?

Leading legal expert analyzes the Israeli airstrike on Hamas leadership in Doha, Qatar.
The US Navy warship USS Sampson (DDG 102) docks at the Amador International Cruise Terminal in Panama City

Striking Drug Cartels Under the Jus ad Bellum and Law of Armed Conflict

Analysis of laws of war and law on the resort to armed force in U.S. military action against Tren de Aragua.
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