Widening of Military Conflict Abroad
While Curbing Civil Society at Home
Trump's shifting Iran goals highlight war's weak legal basis
From targeting Iran's nuclear program to hinting at regime change, Donald Trump keeps moving the goal posts for the US military campaign against Iran. The conflict lacks a clear legal basis under international law, experts say.
The United Nations Charter prohibits threats or the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of another state, except in two cases:
First, the UN can authorize collective security measures to protect people. This occurred after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990. The UN Security Council passed a resolution giving member states legal authority to use force to help Kuwait.
Second is self defence, which George W. Bush invoked after the 9/11 attacks in 2001 to justify the invasion of Afghanistan to "dismantle terrorist networks."
But do these exceptions apply to the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran? And if not, could US President Donald Trump's choosing to go to war without a clear legal basis mark a turning point for the international order?
[Deutsche Welle DW, German international broadcaster on March 7]
Donald Trump admits Operation Epic Fury not going to plan as Iran hits US consulate in Dubai [7NEWS Australia on March 4]
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This happens while US ally Israel has started invading Lebanon to fight Iran's ally Hezbollah. |
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Iran claims its Revolutionary Guard struck a U.S. Navy destroyer refuelling from an American tanker about 650 km off Iran’s coast in the Indian Ocean, using Ghadr-380 ballistic missiles and Talaiyeh cruise missiles. The IRGC alleged the strike triggered a massive blaze on the decks of both ships, darkening the sky above the ocean. The reported attack comes amid escalating tensions after a U.S. submarine torpedoed and sank Iran’s frigate IRIS Dena near Sri Lanka, killing dozens of sailors. The frigate was described as "Sri Lanka's guest", taking part in a multi-national maritime exercise. |
Tehran has vowed revenge and warned it will control the Strait of Hormuz in wartime, threatening ships linked to the United States, Israel, and their allies. [Hindustan Times on March 6] |
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وكالة تسنيم الايرانية عن الحرس الثوري: استهداف حاملة الطائرات الأمريكية أبراهام لينكولن ب4 صواريخ باليستين [الجزيرة نت] .......... سنتكوم تنفي رواية الغرق [SKY عربية] |
Iran's [news] agency Tasnim [declares] that Revolutionary Guard [IRGC] attacked US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln using four ballistic missiles.
[Al-Jazeera, Qatar, on March 6] CENTCOM denies "drowning narrative" [SKY News arabic] |
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Russia's intelligence info helping Iran to lock on US military targets [联合早报, Singapore, on March 7] |
Trump planning to enforce oil shipping while cutting off China [CNBC on March 5]
And the US at Home ...
[CNN comment on Trump policies to curb US civil society, March 5]
Trump says he won’t sign any bills into law until SAVE America Act passes
President Trump on Sunday [March 8] threatened to not sign any bills into law until the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act is approved by the Senate, doubling down on his push to change voting requirements ahead of the midterm elections.
“I, as President, will not sign other Bills until this is passed, AND NOT THE WATERED DOWN VERSION – GO FOR THE GOLD: MUST SHOW VOTER I.D. & PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP: NO MAIL-IN BALLOTS EXCEPT FOR MILITARY – ILLNESS, DISABILITY…,” the president wrote in his Sunday morning Truth Social post.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment on whether the president will sign a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security amid the partial government shutdown.
[The Hill, Washington based political journal on March 8]
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