Part One Compliance and Accountability, 3 Leveraging Emerging Technology for LOAC Compliance

Subject(s):

Armed conflict — Protective measures

Many of the current issues with the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) compliance are rooted in the limitation that parties to an armed conflict are only required to do what is “feasible” to protect civilians and civilian objects during hostilities. This would, of course, apply to the employment of emerging technologies. However, an understanding of feasibility that is enlightened by the use of emerging technologies will dramatically increase the effectiveness of steps which parties to an armed conflict can take to protect the civilian population. Further, the effectiveness and ease of application of these emerging technologies should be reflected in what the international community accepts as feasible actions by the parties to an armed conflict.