This Thesis has analyzed whether and to what extend the US occupation of Iraq can be considered as just. A just occupation would satisfy all principles set forth by jus post bellum. The research...Show moreThis Thesis has analyzed whether and to what extend the US occupation of Iraq can be considered as just. A just occupation would satisfy all principles set forth by jus post bellum. The research question was answered using a qualitative analysis based on a collection of secondary sources, which were analysed using the jus post bellum framework proposed by Orend (2006). The thesis came to the conclusion that the US occupation of Iraq was highly unjust as America failed to satisfy and in some cases clearly violated key principles set forth by jus post bellum. Most importantly the principle of rehabilitation was violated both on the political as well as military level. However, also the jus post bellum principles of Rights Vindication; Discrimination; Punishment #1 and #2; and Compensation were not satisfied if not violated. The failure to follow a just post bellum in Iraq, may explain the prolonged conflict that ensued in Iraq following the US led invasion.Show less
As the menace of international terror grows, just war theory has been a key topic of speculation in politics, international relations as well as philosophy. While the theory has been framed by the...Show moreAs the menace of international terror grows, just war theory has been a key topic of speculation in politics, international relations as well as philosophy. While the theory has been framed by the debate between “traditionalists” and “revisionists”, recent discussions seem to have a concern over the integration of jus post bellum. As a result, there has been a neglect towards this necessary third branch of the just war theory. The objective and the desired outcome of just wars is peace. But the lack of established laws for war termination has led to much vagueness and disagreements upon the content of jus post bellum. Consequently, it leads to messy and unrestrained war endings and mere ad-hoc solutions. By bringing together contemporary political philosophers addressing the normative issues concerning war, the work here aims to defend an extensive and maximalist account of jus post bellum thereby contributing to its development.Show less