ABSTRACT
The first half of the twentieth century was plagued with inhumanity and war on a scale never seen before in the history of humankind. The first five years of this century have already seen two major international conflicts, through the interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq, which have posed significant challenges to the United Nations and the international community. International law plays a vital role in shaping the character of international society and the decision-making process concerning the security policies of international actors. It clearly prohibits the use of force between States and promotes the peaceful settlement of disputes. The distinction between breaches of domestic law and the international legal framework under the United Nations concerns the issue of accountability. States offending against the prohibition against the use of force might be called to account before the International Court of Justice and ordered to make reparations.
