UN Charter Framework on the Use of Force (Article 2(4) and Article 51)
Article 2(4) of the UN Charter prohibits UN member states from the "threat or use of force" against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state — the foundational post-1945 rule against inter-state war. Article 51 carves out a narrow exception permitting individual or collective "self-defence" if an armed attack occurs, until the Security Council takes measures to restore peace.
- Article 2(4) is considered a peremptory norm (jus cogens) of customary international law, binding even on non-parties to the Charter
- Article 51 self-defence must meet customary thresholds of necessity and proportionality (from the Caroline case, 1837, still cited in state practice)
- The UN Security Council retains primary responsibility for determining threats to peace under Chapter VII (Articles 39-42), including authorizing collective enforcement action
- Unilateral or coalition military action outside a Security Council mandate remains legally contested unless it can be justified as self-defence
● Tracked since July 13, 2026 · last seen September 02, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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