Publication 6

Forthcoming: November 2026:

Keith E. Puls: The Paradox of Sovereignty and Humanitarian Intervention: A Natural Law Based Justification

ISBN HB: 978-90-837341-0-1

ISBN e-book: 978-90-837341-1-8

300 pages, price tba

This book provides an alternative to State-centric international law norms. It uses a theistic natural law foundation and the approach of the New Haven School of International Law to provide the material source underlying an international law norm supporting unilateral armed humanitarian intervention to prevent or stop egregious crimes by a State against its own people. When the UN Security Council fails to act under its primary responsibility consistent with Article 24(1) of the UN Charter, the authority to act remains with the Member States. Several case studies are used to demonstrate the level of crimes necessary with application under the Just War Tradition.

Calling on the natural law principles of the Just War Tradition, the author provides a compelling interpretation of its conditions of just cause, sovereignty, right intention, proportionality and last resort to support the defense of others in cases of egregious violations of human rights.

The volume is a major contribution to the field of military humanitarian intervention and to an understanding of the limits of State sovereignty.

About the author

Keith Puls is an Assistant Professor of Law at the St. Thomas University College of Law. Prior to joining the faculty there, he served for fifteen years as the Principal Deputy Legal Counsel at U.S. Southern Command in Miami, Florida. Before assuming that position he served for 20 years on active duty with the U.S. Army, primarily as a Judge Advocate.