Self-defence has been a longstanding foundational concept of international law. However ambiguity still remains over its content and requirements. In particular, this research examines the critical...Show moreSelf-defence has been a longstanding foundational concept of international law. However ambiguity still remains over its content and requirements. In particular, this research examines the critical yet neglected requirement of proportionality in self-defence under international law. The research aims to explore whether states have adhered to the requirement of proportionality in their military actions of self-defence. By operationalizing a framework on the concepts relevant to the research question, the research conducts an exploratory normative analysis on the cases of the US invasion of Iraq and the Gaza War of 2008-09, otherwise known as Operation Cast Lead. Utilising both qualitative and quantitative data from secondary sources and independent official reports. The result of the analysis reveals a lack of adherence to proportionality in self-defence as a result of the excessive scale and gravity of states military actions which far exceeded what would be proportionate in terms of scale and gravity relative to its declared intentions and objectives. In this way the research emphasises the need for clearer definitions and frameworks of the requirements in order to tackle the ambiguities of proportionality in the discourse of self-defence.Show less
Framing a societal issue as a matter of national security is a powerful motivator that, when used strategically, can elicit unprecedented outcomes. Recently, the EU adopted a novel regulation aimed...Show moreFraming a societal issue as a matter of national security is a powerful motivator that, when used strategically, can elicit unprecedented outcomes. Recently, the EU adopted a novel regulation aimed at establishing rules upon one of the most unrestrained areas: online platforms. The adoption of the Digital Services Act, marked a shift within two of the most regarded values in democratic societies: freedom and security, leaning heavily towards the latter due to the restrictive notions that are now being promoted upon a previously unregulated realm. This situation leads to wonder, how does the EU justify the tradeoff between freedom and security? Through a discourse analysis methodology, that studied the preeminence of a securitizing discourse, versus two other rival frames: Novelty, understood as seeking to hold a first mover advantage at regulating a sector and Equity, as a yearning to promote EU values through regulation, it was found that the negotiation process of the DSA showed strong indications of a securitizing discourse, which frames the adverse effects of online platforms as a matter of national security. This leads to conclude that EU policymakers securitized the discourse around online platforms to succeed where others failed at regulating the internet.Show less
