Examines the difficulties in applying international law to recent armed conflicts known as 'new wars'.

Christine Chinkin is Emerita Professor of International Law and Director of the Centre for Women, Peace and Security at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and William Cook overseas faculty member of the University of Michigan Law School. She is a leading expert on international law and human rights law, especially the international human rights of women.

Part I. Conceptual Framework: 1. Introduction; 2. Sovereignty and the authority to use force; 3. The relevance of international law; Part II. Jus ad Bellum: 4. Self-defence as a justification for war: the geopolitical and war on terror models; 5. The humanitarian model for recourse to use force; Part III. Jus in Bello: 6. How force is used; 7. Weapons; Part IV. Jus Post-Bellum: 8. 'Post-conflict' and governance; 9. The liberal peace: peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding; 10. Justice and accountability; Part V. The Way Forward: 11. Second generation human security; 12. What does human security require of international law?