Conflict Prevention and Mitigation / Post Conflict Reconstruction

Introduction

Introduction

When humans first launched themselves into the air to attack their enemies, they used balloons. Later came planes and helicopters. The latest development in the area of airborne attacks takes the human operator out of the air. People may operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) thousands of miles from the drone’s location.[1]

I. Introduction

I. Introduction

Is the unilateral declaration of independence by the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government of Kosovo in accordance with international law? The International Court of Justice (ICJ or Court) answered this question in the affirmative in a groundbreaking decision issued on July 22, 2010. The Court held that the declaration was not prohibited by general international law nor by any specific sources of international law.

I. Background

On August 9, 2010, Rwandans voted in national presidential elections. At the time of writing, the incumbent President Paul Kagame is an almost certain victor. International news coverage of the election has been consistent in its reference to a string of violent incidents and arrests, which many observers have sought to qualify as acts of intimidation directed against political opponents in the lead-up to the elections.[1]

Introduction

The recent Supreme Court decision in Samantar v. Yousuf[1] definitively resolved one major question about the immunities of foreign government officials from civil suits in U.S. courts; at the same time, it left several others wide open. It thereby guaranteed that the source, scope, and certainty of such immunities will continue to be litigated energetically. This Insight explores some of the questions that will likely figure prominently in that litigation.

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction