This site is intended both as a journal that reports on developments related to the laws of war, and as a resource for those seeking further information on the subject. We hope readers will turn to us for clarification of the laws of war and their application to current conflicts, and also as a forum for debate about the strengths and weaknesses of the existing system of humanitarian law. We welcome responses and contributions from our readers; for further details see Contact Us. This screen explains the way the material on the site is organized, and the resources we offer.

Magazine

Our online magazine, published six times a year, is devoted to exploring a single theme in detail and from different perspectives. The subject of each issue may be a current or past conflict, or a major development in international humanitarian law. Wherever appropriate, we include photographs and other audio or visual elements to enhance our coverage, and we try to bring home the consequences of breaches of the laws of war for the lives of those affected. All articles included in our magazine are vetted by legal experts to ensure their accuracy.

Expert Analysis

On subjects where the application of law is complex or contested, we try to clarify the issues involved through a discussion forum involving a group of experts with specialized knowledge. Each group of interviews is prefaced by an introduction that highlights the areas of agreement and dispute between the experts we have spoken to. The interviews are conducted for a non-specialist audience; interviewees are encouraged to explain legal principles in clear and accessible language.

Essays and Reports

These are in-depth articles that respond to recent developments in the laws of war, or explore the legal implications of current events. Most are commissioned from writers or scholars with specialist knowledge of the fields they are writing about. Articles range from reports on specific situations to broader essays on themes related to our areas of interest.

News

In addition to our longer articles, we also monitor developments in the area of war crimes that are not being widely reported, or whose legal implications are not clearly analyzed in other coverage. These shorter news stories are our way of taking stock of noteworthy events, and directing readers to related links on the subject.

Reviews

The site publishes occasional book reviews or round-ups of significant new publications in the field of international humanitarian law and armed conflict.

Archive

All original material published on our site since its launch can be found in our archive, organized both by subject (regions or themes) and by category (magazine issue, expert analysis, etc.)

Resources

In all articles published on the site, we try to provide a set of related links. In addition, in our Resources section, we provide a regularly-updated bibliography, links to other sites of related interest, and a complete timeline of significant conventions and other legal documents.

The Book

The full text of Crimes of War: What the Public Should Know is also available on this site. For further information, see the link in the right-hand column.