War Unbound: Gaza, Ukraine, and the Breakdown of International Law.

This article examines the breakdown of international law in various conflicts, including the Israel-Hamas war, the Syrian civil war, and Russia's war in Ukraine. It discusses the failure of international humanitarian law to adequately protect civilians and the use of civilian structures as shields by armed groups. The article also explores the historical development of the laws of war, particularly the Geneva Conventions, and the challenges posed by conflicts involving nonstate armed groups. It concludes by advocating for the renewal and strengthening of international humanitarian law. Additionally, the article delves into the concept of dual-use objects in urban combat and its impact on civilian populations. It explains that dual-use objects are sites or structures that have civilian purposes but can also be used for military purposes. The United States and other countries have policies that consider these objects as potential military targets, expanding the definition of legitimate military objectives. This approach has had devastating consequences for civilian populations in conflicts such as Gaza, Syria, Yemen, and Ukraine. The article argues that the United States should take measures to enhance the protection of civilians in armed conflicts, including collaborating with the International Criminal Court and reevaluating its legal positions on dual-use objects and proportionality. [Extracted from the article]