Introduction 1
1: General Legal Framework 1945-2001: The UN Charter Paradigm and the Jus ad Bellum 5
Ⅰ.The Prohibition of the Use of Force 5
Ⅱ.The Use of Force in Self-Defence 10
A.Anticipatory Self-Defence 12
B.The Definition of ’Armed Attack’and Self-Defence against Non-State Actors 22
Ⅲ.Security Council Authorisation 31
2: Military Action Against Afghanistan，2001:Operation Enduring Freedom 41
Ⅰ.Was there an Armed Attack on the United States？ 46
Ⅱ.Was the Response Necessary？ 55
A.Was the Attack Over？ 55
B.Was the State of Afghanistan a Legitimate Target？ 59
Ⅲ.Was the Response Proportionate？ 68
3: Military Action Against Iraq，2003: Operation Iraqi Freedom 73
Ⅰ.Was the Action Taken in Self-Defence？ 75
Ⅱ.Was the Action Authorised by the Security Council？ 83
A.Was Military Action Authorised by Resolution 1441？ 83
B.Was Military Action Authorised as a Lawful Response to the Violation of the Ceasefire Agreement？ 85
4: Reappraising the Resort to Force？ Jus ad Bellum in the Post-9/11 World 107
Ⅰ.International Court of Justice Jurisprudence 117
A.The Oil Platforms Case 117
B.The Palestinian Wall Advisory Opinion 131
C.The Armed Activities Case 135
Ⅱ.State Practice 140
A.Israeli Military Operations in Lebanon and Syria 140
B.Russian Military Operations in Georgia 144
C.Ethiopian Military Operations in Somalia 145
Ⅲ.A Reappraisal 147
Select Bibliography 157
Index 173