Modern Warfare: Armed Groups, Private Militaries, Humanitarian Organizations and the Law

Abstract

The face of modern warfare is changing as more and more humanitarian organizations, private military companies, and non-state armed groups enter complex security environments such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Haiti. Although this shift has been overshadowed by legal issues connected to the War on Terror and intervention in countries such as Rwanda and Darfur, it has caused some to question the relevance of existing international humanitarian law. Modern Warfare explores the law's failure -- and potential -- to ensure compliance in the context of a changing military landscape; by doing so, it opens a path to preventing further unnecessary suffering and violence.

Keywords: Humanitarian law, Warfare, Non-State Armed Groups, Private Military and Security Companies, Humanitarian Organizations