Lawfare and Sea Power: A Historical Perspective

Four hundred years ago, the United East India Company hired Hugo Grotius, who would later be memorialized as the “father of international law,” to legitimize Dutch sea power in the South China Sea. Dennis Harbin illustrates that Grotius and the legal defense he crafted would have major implications for competition between democracies and autocracies centuries… Continue reading Lawfare and Sea Power: A Historical Perspective

The Case for Attempted Perfidy: An “Attempt” to Enhance Deterrent Value

Mitigating the risk of deliberate attacks against civilians and other individuals protected by international humanitarian law is among the most fundamental objectives of international legal regulation of armed conflicts. Central to this risk mitigation is the categorical prohibition against deliberately attacking civilians and other protected individuals (unless and for such time as they directly participate… Continue reading The Case for Attempted Perfidy: An “Attempt” to Enhance Deterrent Value

US Commercial Space Regulation: The Rule of Three

John Goehring argues the US regulatory environment for commercial space programs should promote industry growth, comply with international obligations, and preserve national security. Goehring dubs these commercial space regulation efforts as the “rule of three.” After providing a brief background on existing regulatory regimes for commercial space operations, he describes the components of the rule… Continue reading US Commercial Space Regulation: The Rule of Three