Justified Humanitarian Intervention: Operation ALLIED FORCE

Abstract

Traditional U.S. doctrine on the use of force is inadequate to address the unique circumstances surrounding humanitarian interventions. Without specific doctrine to guide decision makers, it is too easy to make errors and hasty judgments that can cost the lives and treasure of both our citizens and people around the world. The United States must develop doctrine to guide decisions on the proper use of military force for humanitarian intervention prior to facing a crisis. NATO's Operation ALLIED FORCE serves as an informative case study to evaluate issues of sovereignty and the ethical responsibility of the international community to safeguard the lives of people around the world. The Responsibility to Protect doctrine provides a framework for the decision making process. According to the Responsibility to Protect doctrine, developed nations are justified in intervening in foreign nations when a government violates the human rights of its citizens. The question is not whether intervention is justifiable but rather when, how, and under what conditions a nation may violate the territory of another nation.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 25, 2013
Accession Number
ADA601713

Entities

People

  • Carol Yeager

Organizations

  • Marine Corps University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Case Studies
  • Department Of State
  • Doctrine
  • Foreign Policy
  • Foreign Relations
  • Geography
  • Governments
  • Human Rights
  • Intergovernmental Organizations
  • International Law
  • International Relations
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Sectarian Violence
  • Treaties
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Educational Psychology
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.