ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to give the reader a concise preview of the law of armed conflict, which regulates the conduct of hostilities between States and between States and non-State actors. In addition to a brief historical overview, it also explains the core principles of the law of armed conflict, such as humanity, distinction, and proportionality. They serve as the founding pillars of the Geneva Conventions and law of armed conflict more generally. Moreover, this chapter also highlights a selection of current challenges to law of armed conflict, such as modern technologies of warfare (cyber weapons, semi-autonomous and autonomous weapons, and artificial intelligence) and protected groups and objects (medical personnel, cultural property, and the environment).
