Part III The Prohibition of the Use of Force, Self-Defence, and Other Concepts, Ch.22 Intervention, Armed Intervention, Armed Attack, Threat to Peace, Act of Aggression, and Threat or Use of Force: What’s the Difference?

Subject(s):

Armed attack — Self-defence — International peace and security — Armed forces — Weapons, chemical — Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties — Treaties, interpretation — Terrorism — Terrorism, financing

This chapter examines the international law on the use of force and related terms such as intervention, armed intervention, armed attack, threat to peace, act of aggression, and threat of force. It considers the different ways in which the use of force can be classified and explains why this occurs. The discussion begins by analysing the variety of terms used in the UN Charter and other security arrangements. It then looks at the relevant practice of states when concluding agreements on the use of force, as well as the practice of the UN Security Council and the International Court of Justice when dealing with interstate conflicts. The chapter concludes by evaluating the relationship between language and law with respect to the use of force.