Defense Strategy | Lebanon | Antoine R. Kanaan | Lebanon Law Review

Defense Strategy: Elusive National Objective

The Lebanese Republic does not currently have a comprehensive Defense Strategy. This paper explores the reasons for this oversight and the legal and constitutional mechanisms surrounding such a policy. Finally, this paper proposes a Defense Strategy for the Lebanese Republic. Not comprehensive by any means, this proposed Defense Strategy nevertheless discusses Lebanon’s assets in light of its geopolitical status and posits propositions in the matter of geography, military, water security, economy, human capital, intelligence, and finally oil & gas. This proposition has a self-admitted hamartia – it does not account for Hezbollah and other armed groups, as to do so would be impossible given the diplomatic intricacy and sensitivity of the matter. Indeed, the matter of Hezbollah and other armed groups is one of the main reasons why there is no Lebanese Defense Strategy to begin with. The Lebanese Republic must determine whether or not Hezbollah et al. are a national asset or a national threat, something that it has so far failed to do. This paper does not take a position on the matter.

The Lebanese Republic does not currently have a comprehensive Defense Strategy. This paper explores the reasons for this oversight and the legal and constitutional mechanisms surrounding such a policy. Finally, this paper proposes a Defense Strategy for the Lebanese Republic. Not comprehensive by any means, this proposed Defense Strategy nevertheless discusses Lebanon’s assets in light of its geopolitical status and posits propositions in the matter of geography, military, water security, economy, human capital, intelligence, and finally oil & gas. This proposition has a self-admitted hamartia – it does not account for Hezbollah and other armed groups, as to do so would be impossible given the diplomatic intricacy and sensitivity of the matter. Indeed, the matter of Hezbollah and other armed groups is one of the main reasons why there is no Lebanese Defense Strategy to begin with. The Lebanese Republic must determine whether or not Hezbollah et al. are a national asset or a national threat, something that it has so far failed to do. This paper does not take a position on the matter.

Israeli Crimes Against the Palestinians | Lebanon Law Review | Palestine Flag Demonstration

Israeli War Crimes Against Palestine

Recent events in Gaza, Palestine, have brought the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to international attention once again. However, many sources are falsely naming the actions committed by Israel’s authorities. Israel has committed many such actions against the Palestinian people. These crimes, when properly documented, may amount to atrocity crimes that fall within the jurisdiction of the ICC. Unfortunately, the international reaction to the ongoing situation and persistent crimes, since 1948, has been inexistent. However, the ICC has finally authorized an investigation in the situation. Is it enough though? Are we receiving the honest truth or is the media twisting facts in accordance with an oppressive system? This article shall address the facts in an alternative matter and the possible scenarios that the ongoing investigation might lead to, in addition to suitable actions against oppressing human rights actions.

This op-ed is written from the judicial perspective of a Lebanese citizen….

Israel’s crimes against Palestine and the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank are prosecutable by the ICC under the Rome Statute.

Beirut Blast: International Investigation? | Lebanon Law Review

Beirut Blast: International Investigation?

Is it recklessness, negligence or indifference? With no national law that can criminalize International Crimes and recognize dolus eventualis as an element of a crime against humanity, the only answer resides in international legal instruments. Will Justice ever prevail?

Is it recklessness, negligence or indifference? With no national law that can criminalize International Crimes and recognize dolus eventualis as an element of a crime against humanity, the only answer resides in international legal instruments. Will Justice ever prevail?

Israël, au-dessus et à l’intérieur du territoire libanais. Qu’en dit le droit international ?

Israël, et en dépit de tous ces textes, a l’audace – il faut le dire – de justifier son comportement hostile et ses violations régulières du droit international par la légitime défense. Israël ignore peut-être les conditions pouvant qualifier de tels actes comme s’inscrivant dans le cadre de la légitime défense. La légitime défense est en effet conditionnée par la commission de l’Etat dont on viole la souveraineté et l’intégrité territoriale d’une agression armée.

Israël, et en dépit de tous ces textes, a l’audace – il faut le dire – de justifier son comportement hostile et ses violations régulières du droit international par la légitime défense. Israël ignore peut-être les conditions pouvant qualifier de tels actes comme s’inscrivant dans le cadre de la légitime défense. La légitime défense est en effet conditionnée par la commission de l’Etat dont on viole la souveraineté et l’intégrité territoriale d’une agression armée.