Collective Self-Defence in International Law

Green, James A.

Abstract

Collective self-defence can be defined as the use of military force by one or more states to aid another state that is an innocent victim of armed attack. However, it is a legal justification that is open to abuse and its exercise risks escalating conflict. Recent years have seen an unprecedented increase in the number of collective self-defence claims. It has been the main basis for US-led action in Syria (2014–) and was advanced by Russia in relation to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine (2022–). Yet, there has still been little analysis of collective self-defence in international law. This book crucially progresses the debate on various fundamental and under-explored questions about the conceptual nature of collective self-defence and the requirements for its operation. Green provides the most detailed and extensive account of collective self-defence to date, at a time when it is being invoked more than ever before.

Citation

Green, J. A. (2024). Collective Self-Defence in International Law. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009406420

• Book Type: Monograph
• Online Publication Date: Jan 25, 2024
• Publication Date: Jan 25, 2024
• Deposit Date: Feb 7, 2024
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Series Title: Cambridge Studies in International and Comparative Law
• Series Number: 184
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009406420
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11674667