Team

Welcome

SCROLL DOWN

Team

Welcome

Learn about us

At the Harvard Law School Program on International Law and Armed Conflict (HLS PILAC), we seek to explore and understand contemporary challenges concerning armed conflict through the lens of international law. We combine traditional public international law research with targeted analysis of today’s changing security environments. Our mode is critical, independent, and rigorous. With a focus on depth over breadth, we aim to reaffirm the centrality of international law in regulating war-fighting, in diminishing harmful effects of armed conflict, and in protecting civilians.

Prof. Gabriella Blum

Prof. Naz K. Modirzadeh

Dustin A. Lewis

Taha Wiheba

Meet Our Team

Research

Recent Publications

State Reliance on AI for Humanitarian Activities in Armed Conflict: Framing Initial IHL-related Considerations

The International Law of Armed Conflict and the Natural Environment: An Analytical Resource for States

International Law and State Allegations of Double Standards: A Conceptual Analysis

Exercising Cognitive Agency: A Legal Framework Concerning Natural and Artificial Intelligence in Armed Conflict

A Primer on Subsidiary Bodies of Sanctions Committees Established by the U.N. Security Council

A Primer on the Relationship between the Security Council and the International Court of Justice

A Primer on Articles 43–47 of the U.N. Charter: Contribution of Forces for Collective Security

Resolution 2664 (2022) and Counterterrorism Measures: An Analytical Frame for States

HLS PILAC Catalogue of Practice of the U.N. Security Council Concerning the Environment, 1945–2021, With an Accompanying Finding Aid

Activities

Engage in events and activities

Summary Block

This block has no content yet. Items you add to the page connected to this block will display here.

Featured

Recent Events

Featured

Side Event: On the Interpretation and Application of Article 51 of the Charter

Oct 28

October 28, 2026

Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations

Side Event: On the Interpretation and Application of Article 51 of the Charter

October 28, 2026

Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations

The Permanent Missions of Mexico and Brazil are convening an opportunity for an open and technical exchange of views on recent developments concerning self-defence and Art. 51 of the UN Charter.

October 28, 2026

Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations

A decade after UNSC Resolution 2286 — Reversing the Normalization of Attacks on Healthcare in Conflict

Sep 7

September 7, 2026

A decade after UNSC Resolution 2286 — Reversing the Normalization of Attacks on Healthcare in Conflict

September 7, 2026

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, the Danish Red Cross, Doctors without Borders Denmark and DanChurchAid, is co-organising an event to highlight the urgent need to protect healthcare in armed conflict, and explore practical measures to do so through expert insights and panel discussion. Image credit: MSF.

September 7, 2026

Sanctions, Counter-Terrorism, and Humanitarian Exemptions: Challenges and Opportunities after UNSCR 2664 (2022)

Jun 23

June 23, 2026

Online

Sanctions, Counter-Terrorism, and Humanitarian Exemptions: Challenges and Opportunities after UNSCR 2664 (2022)

June 23, 2026

Online

This webinar brings together scholars, practitioners, and humanitarian actors to examine the evolving relationship between sanctions regimes, counter-terrorism measures, and humanitarian action in contemporary armed conflicts.

June 23, 2026

Online

Event Recordings

Responsible Use of AI in Armed Conflict: Upholding Respect for International Law

On February 4th, 2026, PILAC co-organized — with the Government of Switzerland — a session at the 3rd REAIM Summit, in A Coruña, Spain, focused on grounding multilateral discussions on military AI in respect for international law.

Prof. Naz Modirzadeh — Implications of State Silence concerning the Right to Self-Defense

Prof. Gabriella Blum — Ethics and the Global War on Terror

Dustin A. Lewis - The End of an Armed Conflict under International Law

Not All State Silences 'Speak': A Theory of (Non-)Communicative State Silences - Dr. Danae Azaria

The Humanitarian Civilian — Dr. Rebecca Sutton

Dustin Lewis — Panel on the AI conundrum: Algorithms and human responsibility in armed conflicts

War and Algorithm: The End of Law? A Lecture by Professor Gregor Noll

Prof. Kalpouzos - “The Recognition of War”

Legal, Moral, and Military Implications of "Collateral Damage": A Lunch Talk with Prof. Janina Dill

Perilous Medicine — Len Rubenstein

Military Interventions in Internal Conflicts Upon Invitation of the Government - Dr. Chiara Redaelli

Prof. Gabriella Blum and Benjamin Wittes: 'The Future of Violence'

Unreliable Protection: Proportionality in Warfare Put to the Test, a talk by Daniel Statman

Presentation by Dr. Gloria Gaggioli on "Self-Defense in Armed Conflicts"

French Counterterrorism Practices: Criminal and Administrative Avenues - A Talk by Dr. Sharon Weill

Michael N. Schmitt: HLS PILAC Lecture on Cyber Operations and IHL: Fault Lines and Vectors

Responsible Use of AI in Armed Conflict: Upholding Respect for International Law

Prof. Naz Modirzadeh — Implications of State Silence concerning the Right to Self-Defense

Prof. Gabriella Blum — Ethics and the Global War on Terror

Dustin A. Lewis - The End of an Armed Conflict under International Law

Not All State Silences 'Speak': A Theory of (Non-)Communicative State Silences - Dr. Danae Azaria

The Humanitarian Civilian — Dr. Rebecca Sutton

Dustin Lewis — Panel on the AI conundrum: Algorithms and human responsibility in armed conflicts

War and Algorithm: The End of Law? A Lecture by Professor Gregor Noll

Prof. Kalpouzos - “The Recognition of War”

Legal, Moral, and Military Implications of "Collateral Damage": A Lunch Talk with Prof. Janina Dill

Military Interventions in Internal Conflicts Upon Invitation of the Government - Dr. Chiara Redaelli

Prof. Gabriella Blum and Benjamin Wittes: 'The Future of Violence'

Unreliable Protection: Proportionality in Warfare Put to the Test, a talk by Daniel Statman

Presentation by Dr. Gloria Gaggioli on "Self-Defense in Armed Conflicts"

French Counterterrorism Practices: Criminal and Administrative Avenues - A Talk by Dr. Sharon Weill

Michael N. Schmitt: HLS PILAC Lecture on Cyber Operations and IHL: Fault Lines and Vectors

Students

Find student opportunities

Harvard Law School students contribute to numerous HLS PILAC projects.

Summary Block

This block has no content yet. Items you add to the page connected to this block will display here.

Featured