International Law & Military Operations (InterMil)

1. International Law in Light of Technological Developments

The cyber domain constitutes an increasingly significant point of interaction between states, and digital tools and infrastructure are evolving at a pace that may affect the role of international law and its ability to regulate conflicts in this area. Furthermore, advanced technologies are finding their way into military systems, including weapons systems, raising legal questions concerning autonomy and the relationship between humans and technology. On this basis, this theme examines how international law can address ongoing technological developments and the challenges these may pose in the short, medium, and long term.

 2. International legal responsibility in connection with international operations

Many states, including Denmark, participate in partnered international operations that entail risks of jointly violating international law or contributing to breaches committed by other actors. This theme examines the allocation of responsibility under international law in coalition settings, capacity building of foreign forces, and collaborations with non state actors, including forms of indirect support. InterMil will follow the development of the legal framework governing state responsibility - together with relevant rules of international humanitarian law and international human rights law - for attributing and apportioning responsibility for violations of international law between states and between states and non state actors.

3. Developments in international law resulting from current conflicts

Recent and ongoing conflicts - such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine since 24 February 2022 and the war between Israel and Hamas following 7 October 2023 - have had a profound impact on the interpretation and application of international legal norms. These and other conflicts in the world raise fundamental legal questions that may drive both clarification and development of international law. Under this research theme, InterMil examines the most significant legal issues emerging from ongoing conflicts, with particular attention to areas where evolving practice may reshape core principles of international law.

4. International law and maritime challenges and developments

Maritime operations raise complex questions under international law, particularly as states navigate evolving threats, new technologies, and climate change. Denmark’s participation in international military operations at sea illustrates the interplay between the Law of the Sea, International Humanitarian Law, and International Human Rights Law within a dynamic legal framework. Emerging challenges include hybrid warfare targeting critical infrastructure, the deployment of unmanned and autonomous maritime systems, and the profound impact of climate change on maritime boundaries and state obligations. Under this research theme, InterMil examines the possibilities and constraints arising from these developments and their implications for the interpretation and application of international law at sea.

5. The legal framework for national operations

The war in Ukraine, increased tensions in the Baltic Sea, and a general trend in which Russia in particular acts more aggressively towards Denmark and other NATO countries have led to a heightened focus on Danish defense and security policy. These developments raise questions about Denmark’s ability to address new security challenges, including military operations conducted on Danish territory. This research theme maps the legal framework for managing such operations and threats to Denmark’s security.