Introduction to the International Law of Armed Conflicts

Robert Kolb is Professor of Public International Law at the University of Geneva and Counsel for Lalive Attorneys-at-Law, Geneva. He has worked as legal adviser at the International Committee of the Red Cross from 1998 to 1999 and occasionally for the International Law Directorate of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. Richard Hyde is a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Nottingham. He specialises in International Law and Criminal Law.

• Part I Introduction1. The Law of Armed Conflict as a Branch of Public International Law2. Jus Ad Bellum: Main Components 93. Jus In Bello: Main Components4. The Separation Between Jus Ad Bellum and Jus In Bello in Modern International Law: Equality of the Belligerents and Just War5. Total War and Limited WarPart II The Law of Armed Conflicts 6. Historical Evolution of the LOAC7. Basic Principles of the LOAC8. Main Sources of the LOAC9. The Martens Clause10. International and Non-International Armed Conflicts 11. Applicability of the LOAC: Material Scope of Applicability12. Applicability of the LOAC: Personal Scope of Applicability13. Applicability of the LOAC: Spatial Scope of Applicability14. Applicability of the LOAC: Temporal Scope of Applicability15. Applicability of the LOAC by Special Agreements16. The Role of the International Committee of the Red Cross17. Targeting: the Principle of Distinction Between Civilian and Military Objectives18. Other Objectives Specifically Protected Against Attack19. Prohibited Weapons20. Perfidy and Ruses21. Some Other Prohibited Means and Methods of Warfare22. Belligerent Reprisals 17323. Command Responsibility24. Assistance, Respect and Protection of Wounded and Sick Military Persons25. The Definition of Combatants26. Protection of Prisoners of War27. General Protection of Civilians28. Occupied Territories (Belligerent Occupation)29. The ‘Intangible’ Nature of the LOAC Rights30. Protective Emblems 31. Sea Warfare32. Non-International Armed Conflicts in Particular33. The Relationship Between the LOAC and Human Rights Law34. Neutrality35. The Implementation of the LOAC

...a succinct, but authoritative, overview that is suitable for the many law and undergraduate course now offered in this rather popular but gruesome subject. Amercian Society of International Law newsletter Issue 39 May 2009 Robert Kolb's and Richard Hyde's "Introduction to the International Law of Armed Conflicts"... is not only timely, but in fact closes a significant gap in the didactic legal literature...This contribution reflects a formidable balance between the simplicity and accessibility of an introductory volume and the comprehensiveness and depth of a full-fledged legal textbook...Students constitute the target audience ...and I highly recommend ths instructive contribution to them. Robert Geia German Yearbook of International Law Vol. 51, 2008 Resolument oriente vers l'apprentissage, cet ouvrage constitue un veritable qui rendra service aux jurists en formation ainsi qu'a toute personne ayant a connaitre les bases du droit international humanitaire. S.R.-C Annuaire Francais de Droit International October 2009 The educational role of this book is evident, as each section, covering roughly 5-15 pages, includes a learning objective, an analysis of the topic discussed and a comprehension check with questions and answers. This last part is equally interesting and worth reading, as it provides further clarifications of the law or gives practical examples on how the law should be interpreted and applied in practice. The book is not technical, as it is written in simple and accessible language for every student or professional, who is interested in humanitarian law and is not familiar with the topic. Additionally it could serve as a textbook for academic use or as a tool of dissemination of humanitarian law rules to the general public. As the titles reveals, it is an introduction and therefore it is not addressed to people with substantial prior knowledge in the law of armed conflict. On the other hand it offers much more than just a basic introduction, while it is also comprehensive enough, without the need to resort to the text of the relevant treaties. Overall the book provides the essential information on the law of armed conflict, while it functions as an appetizer for a deeper study of this area. Konstantinos Mastorodimos Web Journal of Current Legal Issues 2010, Issue 4