Arms Control and Non-proliferation

On July 7, 2007, the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism[1] enters into force. July 7 is the 30th day after the receipt of the 22nd instrument of ratification (from Bangladesh), which the Convention required for its entry into force (Article 25.1). This Insight describes this Convention and its place in the global efforts underway to prevent acts of nuclear terrorism.

Background to the Convention

On April 29, 2007, the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)[1] marks the tenth anniversary of its entry into force. Along with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), the CWC forms an important part of the international law supporting disarmament and non-proliferation concerning weapons of mass destruction.

On February 26, 2007, the International Court of Justice issued its judgment in the Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Bosnia and Herzegovina v. Serbia and Montenegro).[1] The case marked the first time that a country sued another country for breaches of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide ("the Convention").

On February 13, 2007, the governments taking part in the fifth round of the Six-Party Talks concerning nuclear disarmament of North Korea released an action plan designed to lead to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula (February 13 Action Plan).[1] China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, the United States, and North Korea (formally called the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or DPRK) agreed to specific initial actions and timetables that support the obje

Introduction

On October 14, 2006, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1718 (2006), reacting to the announcement on October 9, 2006, by North Korea (the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or DPRK) that it had conducted an underground nuclear weapon test.

The October 9, 2006 announcement by North Korea (the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or DPRK) that it had successfully conducted an underground test of a nuclear weapon raises questions about the status of such testing under international law.[1] This Insight examines the international legal norms that could apply to su

The recent conflict in Lebanon and Northern Israel, occurring between a state and a non-state armed opposition group on the territory of a state that has not itself taken up arms, raises distinct challenges for interpretation of international law related to armed conflict.

Introduction

On July 4 and 5, 2006, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) test-fired seven unarmed missiles over the Sea of Japan.  One of them was a long-range missile, the Taepodong 2, which exploded and fell into the sea before it could complete its test flight.  If it had not gone down prematurely it is possible that it would have entered the airspace of Japan.