Rethinking the Laws of Armed Conflict in an Age of Terrorism December 8, 2009

Host: Hudson Institute. Since September 11, policymakers and legal scholars have struggled to understand how to apply traditional legal frameworks to counterterrorist conflicts and have debated the degree to which such frameworks suit modern terrorist threats. As the administration transfers admitted September 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to New York for a criminal trial in civilian court, the world is at an important juncture in the development of counterterrorism law and policy. The Hudson Institute and the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs are hosting a conference on counterterrorism to examine the legal challenges that have confronted nations as they have struggled to reconcile traditional concepts of law—both domestic and international—as they conduct counterterrorism campaigns. Panelists will examine a variety of issues, including the experiences of the United States, Israel, and other countries in approaching these contemporary threats.