The Lawfare Podcast Lawfare Daily: Oona Hathaway on the Collapse of Norms Against the Use of Force
Aug 6, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Oona Hathaway, a Yale Law Professor and the President-elect of the American Society of International Law, discusses the alarming erosion of norms against military force in today's world. She highlights how recent U.S. policies and actions, especially regarding Iran, challenge established international law. Hathaway stresses the dangers of this trend, particularly concerning the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, and emphasizes the need for diplomacy and adherence to international norms to ensure global stability.
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Modern World Order Prohibits War
- The modern international legal order fundamentally prohibits war as a tool of national policy.
- This norm reshapes state relations, making trade and diplomacy the primary means of engagement instead of military force.
Law Shapes State Interests
- Law is critical for shaping state interests and supporting international order alongside power and trade.
- Legal norms establish expectations that enable stable long-term trade and peaceful relations between states.
Legal Order Faces Critical Test
- The international legal order has faced persistent violations, but continued efforts aim to strengthen and improve it.
- Current challenges, especially by major powers, risk causing a catastrophic collapse if norms are disregarded.
