Beyond IHL: The Law of Neutrality

I am not sure, but I think that I mention the Laws and Customs of War in about half of my episodes. (Clausewitz, of course features in almost EVERY episode -- except this one.) There is one part of the Law of War that is infrequently discussed. So infrequent that the term International Humanitarian Law (IHL) doesn’t even include it. The International Committee of the Red Cross even says that it is of little importance! That nearly forgotten part of the Law of War is the Law of Neutrality. I do not agree with the comment in the ICRC’s IHL database tha, “the traditional law of neutrality has lost much of its former importance.” I believe that the armed conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and those in the middle east reveal problems which result when the law of neutrality is forgotten or abused. I believe these conflicts also represent an opportunity to reassert that branch of the Law of War, but only if States and nations have the courage to do so. As usual, the content of this podcast is entirely my own opinion, and does not represent to position of the U.S. Department of Defense or any other orgaization I am or have previously been associated with References: of Defense, DoD Law of War Manual, June 2015, Updated July 2023 ICRC, How does Law Protect in War, p.3 International Committee of the Red Cross IHL Databases: Music: Kiilstofte, P. Freedom Fighters, Machinamasound (Licensed)

You can listen to Beyond IHL: The Law of Neutrality online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Beyond IHL: The Law of Neutrality is an episode from The Ancient Art of Modern Warfare by Chris Mayer National Security and Strategy Consultant.

This episode is 13:24 long.

This episode was published on Apr 8, 2026.

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