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What Justifies Military Intervention?

The decision by the US, the UK and France to bomb Syria has divided the international community. But do the arguments for bombing Syria stand up under international law?

The decision by the US, France and Britain to bomb Syria after seeing evidence that President Bashar al-Assad had allegedly used chemical weapons on civilians has divided the international community. Are we living in a world where might, not right determines how states behave, or is a more moral legal framework in the process of being born? This week on the Real Story, Carrie Gracie and a panel of expert guests ask what can justify attacking another country.

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50 minutes

Last on

Sat 21 Apr 2018 03:06GMT
Â鶹ÊÓƵAV World Service except Australasia & News Internet

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Contributors

Dmitry Babich analyst at Rossiya Sevodnya news agency in Moscow.

Sir Mark Lyall Grant former British ambassador to the United Nations.

Oona Hathaway Professor of International Law at Yale Law School and former counsel in the U.S. Department of Defence.

Ambassador Paul Wolfowitz  US deputy secretary of defence between 2001-2005.

Also taking part:

Rwandan Paul Rusesabagina survived the genocide in Rwanda and went on to become famous as the manager in the film Hotel Rwanda

American General Wesley Clark  led Allied Force in the Kosovo War as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO 1997-2000

Photo

A Syrian soldier sprays water on the wreckage of a building described as part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre compound north of Damascus, following airstrikes by United States, French and British forces, April 2018

Broadcasts

  • Fri 20 Apr 2018 08:06GMT
    Â鶹ÊÓƵAV World Service except News Internet
  • Fri 20 Apr 2018 17:06GMT
    Â鶹ÊÓƵAV World Service Australasia
  • Fri 20 Apr 2018 23:06GMT
    Â鶹ÊÓƵAV World Service except News Internet
  • Sat 21 Apr 2018 03:06GMT
    Â鶹ÊÓƵAV World Service except Australasia & News Internet

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    Global experts and decision makers discuss, debate and analyse a key news story.