Lawfare

Lawfare is a strategy that intertwines law and warfare, first coined as a term in 1975. It’s a tactical approach where law is used as a weapon, sometimes replacing traditional military conflict. This concept, however, is often viewed as a cynical manipulation of the rule of law. The practice of Lawfare can be associated with the principle of universal jurisdiction, where one country may prosecute officials of another. It has been notably used in different global contexts, like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and territorial disputes in the South China Sea. In some instances, lawsuits in foreign courts against political dissidents or officials have been seen as examples of Lawfare.