(This event is organised by MEI’s Transsystemic Law Research Cluster, as part of its quarterly public talks series.)

Abstract

Drone strikes are one of the most ubiquitous aspects of 21^st Century Western counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism efforts and has been extensively implemented in Middle Eastern countries. This lecture describes the emergence of this practice by linking it to Western assassinations going all the way back to mid- 20^th century decolonisation struggles. The claim by intervening states today is that the practice is in keeping with the rules and principles of international law. The lecture seeks to understand this claim from the vantage point of achievements in the previous century when territorial integrity and political independence was claimed and recognised, and the non-use of force regime extended, developed and celebrated by post-colonial states in the Middle East and beyond.