Armed Conflict and International Law in the Indo-Pacific Region

Abstract This volume examines the legal dimensions of potential armed conflict in the Indo-Pacific, adopting a multidomain approach. It considers the application of international law across the spectrum of contemporary warfare, including land, sea, air, space, cyber, and the information environment, while remaining attentive to the region’s evolving strategic context. The opening chapters in Part One address foundational legal challenges: the regulation of contemporary conflict, the protection of civilians, and the law of neutrality. Part Two turns to the legal frameworks governing the conduct of military operations in specific domains, including emerging areas such as space, cyber, and the information environment. These chapters also explore the vulnerabilities of dual-use and civilian infrastructure, such as undersea cables and satellite networks. Part Three examines the legal consequences of deepening regional cooperation, with particular attention to alliance politics, capability sharing, and legal interoperability, culminating in an analysis of the AUKUS security partnership. Finally, Part Four offers a focused case study regarding the legal issues that would arise in the event of a conflict over Taiwan. Across all parts, the volume brings together diverse perspectives from military legal advisers, academic lawyers, and humanitarian actors, offering both analytical depth and practical insight. The legal challenges posed by a future conflict in the Indo-Pacific remain underexplored in existing scholarship. This book aims to address that gap, offering a timely and regionally grounded contribution to debates on armed conflict and international law.