Threats to international peace and security include the proliferation of weapons of mass destructions, rogue nations, and international terrorism. The United States must respond to these challenges to its national security and to world stability by embracing new military technologies such as drones, autonomous robots, and cyber weapons. These weapons can provide more precise, less destructive means to coerce opponents to stop WMD proliferation, clamp down on terrorism, or end humanitarian disasters. Efforts to constrain new military technologies are not only doomed, but dangerous. Most weapons in themselves are not good or evil; their morality turns on the motives and purposes for the war itself. These new weapons can send a strong message without cause death or severe personal injury, and as a result can make war less, rather than more, destructive.

The ability to influence world events through control of seaborne trade was profoundly affected by 19th-century developments in economic theory, commercial organization and naval technology, and by the growing power of the United States. In consequence the international law of belligerent rights at sea was repeatedly amended. Naval strategy in four wars reflected these changes in technology, power and law, and the ongoing process continues to influence international use of economic sanctions.

This book studies the clash of international law with the introduction of the submarine to the field of naval warfare. Germany's use of the U-boat for unrestricted warfare against merchant shipping during the First World War revolutionised submarine warfare but it also doomed Germany to failure. Although Britain countered Germany with its own brand of economic warfare, the actions of both sides were at odds with existing international law. Regulatory and humanitarian aspects of international law were also found to be inadequate when faced with the revolutionary changes brought about by the U-boat. This book brings together the disciplines of military history, grand strategy and international law to provide a new perspective on the First World War at sea. (Publisher)

The Law of Maritime Blockade sets out the law applicable to maritime blockades in armed conflict, testing the traditional rules of maritime blockade against the requirements of contemporary international humanitarian law. An important issue addressed is the legality of a blockade even if it results in mass starvation of the affected population.