KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — As the Russia-Ukraine War continues, WMU-Cooley Law School Professors David L. Finnegan and retired Brigadier General and former Deputy Assistant General for Homeland Security Michael C.H. McDainel , who are experts on international law, have created a video-blog series sharing various interpretations of international law as it pertains to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The first three video-blog posts take a look at three important topics when looking into the violation of war crimes. Hosted on WMU-Cooley’s blog site, the video blogs also can be found on the WMU-Cooley Law School YouTube channel and are available for members of the media to share with their audiences.
In the first blog, War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity, McDaniel and Finnegan discuss war crimes in the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. The subject matter experts break down how international law views war crimes and how individuals can be considered war criminals. Topics reviewed include bombardment without consideration of civilians and their assets, collateral damage, or the incidental death of civilians, and other principals being used during the conflict that could be considered war crimes.
The second video blog, Use of Prohibited Weapons, takes a deep look at the law of war bans certain types of weapons, as well. McDaniel and Finnegan give their thoughts on the allegations that Russia is using certain prohibited weapons, such as cluster bombs and thermobaric weapons, thereby violating the international humanitarian law of war.
Crimes of Aggression is the third topic covered in this series. The WMU-Cooley professors evaluate whether Russian President Vladimir Putin can be prosecuted, referencing consequences given to leaders that implemented international war in the past.
“The Nuremberg Tribunal prosecuted Nazi leaders as war criminals after World War Two famously referred to the crime of aggression and crimes against peace as the ‘supreme international crime,’” said Finnegan. “I think what the tribunal was getting at is that all other war crimes sort of flow from aggression, that is, without the unlawful war there would be no war crimes to begin with. Aggression opens the door to further atrocities.”
Video Blogs by Topic:
Video 1 – War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity: https://youtu.be/nkfziOfT9iQ
Video 2 – Use of Prohibited Weapons: https://youtu.be/uXYx64whm98
Video 3 – Crimes of Aggression: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jyfv0dObnQ
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