International humanitarian law and bombing campaigns: legitimate military objectives and excessive collateral damage

This article focuses on the law which applies during armed conflicts to aerial bombardments or missiles launched from warships. In particular, the principles of distinction and proportionality are examined and the contribution of international courts and tribunals to the law in this area is considered. Issues raised by recent bombing campaigns, such as the bombing of electricity grids and television studios, are also discussed. The author concludes that the lessons of previous conflicts must be learned in order to reduce civilian casualties, but that war is destructive and closer adherence to international humanitarian law can not remove civilian casualties altogether