The evitability of autonomous robot warfare

2012 ◽  
Vol 94 (886) ◽  
pp. 787-799 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noel E. Sharkey
Keyword(s):  
Science Fiction ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Autonomous Robots ◽  
Robotic Systems ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Military ◽  
Free Ranging

AbstractThis is a call for the prohibition of autonomous lethal targeting by free-ranging robots. This article will first point out the three main international humanitarian law (IHL)/ethical issues with armed autonomous robots and then move on to discuss a major stumbling block to their evitability: misunderstandings about the limitations of robotic systems and artificial intelligence. This is partly due to a mythical narrative from science fiction and the media, but the real danger is in the language being used by military researchers and others to describe robots and what they can do. The article will look at some anthropomorphic ways that robots have been discussed by the military and then go on to provide a robotics case study in which the language used obfuscates the IHL issues. Finally, the article will look at problems with some of the current legal instruments and suggest a way forward to prohibition.

Evitable Conflicts, Inevitable Technologies? The Science and Fiction of Robotic Warfare and IHL

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Kerr ◽  
Katie Szilagyi
Keyword(s):  
Science Fiction ◽  
International Law ◽  
Autonomous Robots ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Lethal Force ◽  
Military Necessity ◽  
Military Robots ◽  
The Military ◽  
Special Symposium

This article contributes to a special symposium on science fiction and international law, examining the blurry lines between science and fiction in the policy discussions concerning the military use of lethal autonomous robots. In response to projects that attempt to build military robots that comport with international humanitarian law [IHL], we investigate whether and how the introduction of lethal autonomous robots might skew international humanitarian norms. Although IHL purports to be a technologically-neutral approach to calculating a proportionate, discriminate, and militarily necessary response, we contend that it permits a deterministic mode of thinking, expanding the scope of that which is perceived of as “necessary” once the technology is adopted. Consequently, we argue, even if lethal autonomous robots comport with IHL, they will operate as a force multiplier of military necessity, thus skewing the proportionality metric and amplifying new forms of destructive, lethal force.

scholarly journals Game of Code: Challenges of Cyberspace as a Domain of Warfare

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-72
Author(s):  
Christopher Rosana Nyabuto
Keyword(s):  
Science Fiction ◽  
Armed Conflicts ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Cyber Warfare ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
Salient Points ◽  
The World ◽  
The Many ◽  
The Military

The military capabilities that the world witnesses in modern day armed conflicts are a sort of science fiction brought to life. Most of the techniques in cyber warfare were never thought possible, let alone anticipated in times past especially during the framing of key International Humanitarian Law (IHL) instruments. This paper analyses the challenges that cyber warfare poses to state responsibility. The analysis also discusses how the anonymity of parties in cyber warfare presents challenges to the application of existing law. The rationale for this study is the fact that cyberspace as a domain of warfare is still in its early days despite the many ambiguities and puzzles it has sparked in various circles of discussion. The study relies on literature reviews and case studies to make its salient points. Ultimately, the study argues that cyber warfare is subject to IHL; however, it breeds new possibilities that may require greater adherence to consistent legal review of weapons and greater willingness of the international community to apply IHL to this domain of warfare.

The Application of International Humanitarian Law by the Israel Defense Forces

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amichai Cohen ◽  
Eyal Ben-Ari
Keyword(s):  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Advocate General ◽  
The Past ◽  
Junior Officers ◽  
Military Commanders ◽  
Legal Frameworks ◽  
Israel Defense Forces ◽  
The Military

This chapter describes how increased juridification and demands to apply international humanitarian law (IHL) have influenced the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The authors analyze the IDF’s compliance with IHL and other legal frameworks through a multilevel and multidimensional model of military compliance describing the law and external institutions involved in applying it. The past decades have seen the relatively autonomous sphere of the military increasingly come under judicial overview. Judicial and international pressures have also increased the role of the operational legal advisors. The chapter ends by discussing the ceremonies intended to promote compliance with IHL involving soldiers and junior officers. It is based on interviews (with Israeli academic experts, members of nongovernmental organizations [NGOs], and military commanders), off-the-record conversations with members of the IDF’s Military Advocate General, and newspaper articles, reports of NGOs, and secondary material.

scholarly journals The General, His Fandom, and a Participatory Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
pp. 53-78
Author(s):  
Angelina Ilieva ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Focal Point ◽  
Public Image ◽  
Fan Culture ◽  
The Public ◽  
Military Medical Academy ◽  
Medical Academy ◽  
The Media ◽  
Characteristic Features ◽  
The Military

In February 2020, the Bulgarian government established the National Operational Headquarters for Combating the COVID-19 Pandemic in Bulgaria. General Ventsislav Mutafchiyski, a military doctor, professor at the Military Medical Academy in Sofia, was appointed as its chairman. This paper presents a case study on the public image of Ventsislav Mutafchiyski, its readings and interpretations by the audience, and the specific fan culture that emerged around his media persona during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Bulgaria. Placed in the spotlight of the media at the very beginning of the crisis, Mutafchiyski became extremely popular as the public figure most strongly associated with the fight against the spread of the disease in the country. Around his media persona, shaped in the public imagination as a wartime leader, a fan culture has grown with all its characteristic features and dimensions: fans and anti-fans, affirmative and transformative fandom. As a fictional character, Mutafchiyski has appeared in numerous forms of vernacular creativity: poems, songs, material objects, jokes, fake news, conspiracy theories, and memes. In this way, the General has become the main character of Bulgarian pandemic folklore and the focal point of a participatory pandemic.

scholarly journals Features of detection and obtaining evidence of war crimes committed in the context of international armed conflict

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (69) ◽  
pp. 74-90
Author(s):  
Ihor Tataryn ◽  
Yuliia Komissarchuk ◽  
Yurii Dmytryk ◽  
Mariia Maistrenko ◽  
Olha Rymarchuk
Keyword(s):  
Armed Conflict ◽  
War Crimes ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Scientific Article ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Comprehensive Understanding ◽  
Military Conflict ◽  
Support Organization ◽  
International Obligations ◽  
The Military

The scientific article is devoted to a comprehensive understanding of international legal, procedural, and organizational problems of investigation of war crimes committed during the military conflict in the south and east of Ukraine. It develops the author's concept of investigation of war crimes committed during the armed conflict, scientifically substantiated theoretical provisions and specific patterns that are manifested in the field of legal support, organization of investigation, collection of evidence, methods of investigation of crimes of this type. It is concluded that there is a need to specify the components of war crimes in national legislation. Recommendations for further improvement of criminal and criminal procedure legislation of Ukraine in order to fulfill the state's international obligations in the field of international humanitarian law are given.

L'operazione militare di Israele contro Gaza e il diritto internazionale umanitario

2009 ◽  
pp. 309-318
Author(s):  
Gabriella Venturini
Keyword(s):  
International Institutions ◽  
Gaza Strip ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Customary International Law ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Gaza Strip ◽  
The Military

- The Israeli armed action in the Gaza Strip between December 27, 2008 and January 18, 2009 has prompted vehement protests of the public, especially in the Arab Countries and in Europe. The reaction of international institutions has varied. While the UN Human Rights Council strongly censured Israel, placing light blame on the rocket attacks made from Gaza against Israeli towns, the UN Security Council was much more measured in itsresponde. Generally speaking, ius in bello (or International Humanitarian Law, IHL) was not extensively addressed by the international institutions, which instead focused their debates on the legitimacy of the use of force. For different reasons, neither Israel nor Hamas is bound by the most relevant IHL Conventions on the conduct of hostilities during armed conflict. The broad rules of customary international law prove barely adequate to restrain the use of means and methods of combat in asymmetrical conflicts. Although the victims may have recourse to domestic (Israeli) jurisdiction to redress their losses, the military action in Gaza will have long lasting negative consequences in the troubled area of Palestine.

INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW FROM A FIELD PERSPECTIVE – CASE STUDY: NEPAL

2006 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 394-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.J.C. Schimmelpenninck van der Oije
Keyword(s):  
Armed Conflict ◽  
Humanitarian Aid ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Link Theory ◽  
Field Perspective

AbstractWhat is it like to be working in the field with international humanitarian law during an armed conflict? In the article ‘International Humanitarian Law from a field perspective - case study: Nepal‘, the promotion of international humanitarian law is described through the eyes of a humanitarian aid worker. The author worked as a delegate for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) during the civil war in Nepal. International humanitarian law forms the legal basis of the ICRC's presence in Nepal, it's humanitarian activities and confidential interventions. Nepal and its conflict are introduced, as well as the warring parties and the Red Cross in Nepal. Various humanitarian activities and dilemma's are described. Through this article the YIHL seeks to link theory and practice, and focus on international humanitarian law from an operational perspective.

India: talking with the military

1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (314) ◽  
pp. 568-568
Keyword(s):  
Red Cross ◽  
Modern World ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
New Delhi ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Advocate General ◽  
The Military

A two-day seminar entitled “International humanitarian law: its significance in the modern world” and organized jointly by the department of the Judge Advocate General of the Indian army, the ICRC and the Indian Red Cross Society was held in New Delhi on 28 and 29 August 1996. It was the second seminar of its kind, the first having taken place in 1988.

scholarly journals THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW: CURRENT AND INHERENT CHALLENGES

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 45-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Sassòli
Keyword(s):  
Armed Conflicts ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Armed Groups ◽  
Asymmetric Conflicts ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Law

AbstractThe implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL) is confronted with many challenges. Some of them are inherent since IHL applies to armed conflicts: a situation must be classified before IHL can be applied. Existing implementation mechanisms either do not function at all or have their limits. In certain conflicts, such as asymmetric conflicts, and with regard to certain players, such as armed groups, it is particularly difficult to obtain respect of IHL. Beyond that, there is a perhaps even more dangerous challenge in perception.The gap between the burgeoning promises of protection by the law made by doctrine, jurisprudence and sometimes even by States, and the systematic non-respect of that law, which (in the author's view wrongly) transpires from the media and NGO reports, undermines the credibility of the law and the willingness to respect it. The author advocates ways to reduce this gap.

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