Legitimizing the Use of Force

Ducheine, P.A.L.; Pouw, Eric

Legitimizing the Use of Force

(chapter in): J. van der Meulen, A. Vogelaar, R. Beeres and J. Soeters (eds.) Mission Uruzgan : Collaborating in multiple coalitions for Afghanistan, Amsterdam: AUP (2012). Chapter 3, pp. 33-46.

Amsterdam Center for International Law No. 2014-11

Amsterdam Law School Research Paper No. 2014-18

22 Pages Posted: 7 Oct 2014

See all articles by P.A.L. Ducheine

P.A.L. Ducheine

University of Amsterdam - Amsterdam Center for International Law

Eric Pouw

University of Amsterdam - Amsterdam Center for International Law

Date Written: February 25, 2014

Abstract

Recent military operations like Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Iraqi Freedom and International Security Assistance Force for Afghanistan (ISAF) proved the crucial role of legitimacy of and within military operations for the public and political appreciation of these operations.

Legitimacy is a principle of democratic societies vested in the rule of law, and is especially applicable to the armed forces. It implies that (1) the military require a legal basis for their (domestic and international) operations; and that (2) these operations when executed comply with the applicable legal regimes.

This chapter analyses the first issue: the legal basis (or the ius ad bellum basis) of operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and ISAF.

Keywords: Ius ad bellum, Military operations, Enduring Freedom (OEF), ISAF, Afghanistan, Law of Armed Conflict

JEL Classification: K33, N40

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Ducheine, P.A.L. and Pouw, Eric, Legitimizing the Use of Force (February 25, 2014). (chapter in): J. van der Meulen, A. Vogelaar, R. Beeres and J. Soeters (eds.) Mission Uruzgan : Collaborating in multiple coalitions for Afghanistan, Amsterdam: AUP (2012). Chapter 3, pp. 33-46. , Amsterdam Center for International Law No. 2014-11, Amsterdam Law School Research Paper No. 2014-18, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2400981