IN HIS latest book, Pittsburgh-based lawyer and peace activist Dan Kovalik is at pains to stress that the UN Charter, the principal instrument of international law since its signing in 1945, lays down a number of important precepts regarding humanity’s need for peace, equality and freedom from oppression.

Prevention of war is at its core, and states are to resolve disputes by peaceful means if these are available. An armed attack on one state by another can only be considered legal if, having exhausted all non-violent paths,  the attack has been approved by the UN security council, or if it is carried out in urgent self-defence against an armed attack, or if the invading party has been granted consent by the leader of the host state.