Mary Ellen O'Connell
Notre Dame Law School
Robert and Marion Short Professor of Law, Research Professor of International Dispute Resolution, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies
- International law
- International legal regulation of the use of force
- Conflict and dispute resolution
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O'Connell’s Latest News
O'Connell in the News
The Guardian
Yemen: Saudi-led airstrike on rebel-run prison kills at least 60 and wounds 200
January 21, 2022
“News of the Saudi air strike on a prison – a protected civilian site – and knocking out Yemen’s internet is both tragic and no surprise,” said Mary Ellen O’Connell, a professor at Notre Dame law school in the US.
Associated Press
Family seeks to sue Lebanon over dead father’s captivity
January 19, 2022
Mary Ellen O’Connell, a professor at the Notre Dame Law School, said it may be challenging for a case to be brought against Lebanon, which is not designated a “state sponsor of terrorism.”
CNBC
Biden didn’t accept Putin’s ‘red lines’ on Ukraine – here’s what that means
December 08, 2021
“Putin has said again and again that Ukraine is culturally and historically part of Russia. Ukraine’s history is complicated, but for Putin and other Russians, Russia should by rights include Ukraine,” said Mary Ellen O’Connell, a professor at the University of Notre Dame, when asked why Russia opposed NATO’s expansion.
Business Insider
Biden risks killing more civilians with drone strikes in Afghanistan as part of his 'over-the-horizon' strategy, experts warn
September 21, 2021
"Not only do remote pilots have only a vague idea in most cases who they are killing, now that the war is over in Afghanistan, it will be virtually impossible to use drone strikes legally," Mary Ellen O'Connell, Notre Dame Law School professor and expert on international law in relation to the use of force, told Insider.
Politifact
COVID-19 vaccination does not violate the Nuremberg Code
August 20, 2021
The Nuremberg principles that Key alludes to are not part of U.S. law; they refer to a treaty agreed to after World War II to prosecute individuals for war crimes, and crimes against humanity, said Mary Ellen O’Connell, a law professor at the University of Notre Dame School of Law.
ABC 57
Expert: Taliban takeover inevitable, a multi-administration failure
August 16, 2021
Despite the poorly planned exit, Mary Ellen O’Connell says this was a multi-administration failure three presidents in the making.
Xinhua
Five militiamen killed in U.S. airstrikes in Iraq, Syria
June 28, 2021
Mary Ellen O'Connell, a professor at Notre Dame Law School, has criticized the U.S. attacks as a violation of international law.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Planet America
March 09, 2021
Mary Ellen O'Connell, law, speaks with Australian Broadcasting Corporation. (starting at 15:00)
USA Today
Rockets strike Iraqi base housing US troops ahead of Pope Francis visit
March 03, 2021
Mary Ellen O’Connell, a professor of law at the University of Notre Dame and an expert on the use of military force, said in emailed comments that the attacks in Iraq "demonstrate the danger and illegality of deploying force for deterrence."
National Catholic Reporter
Unpacking the fine print of Biden's declaration about the war in Yemen
February 26, 2021
I spoke about Biden's announcement on Yemen with Mary Ellen O'Connell, a professor at the University of Notre Dame Law School and a research professor of international dispute resolution at Notre Dame's Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies.
Associated Press
Militia official: US strike in Syria kills 1, wounds several
February 26, 2021
Mary Ellen O’Connell, a professor at Notre Dame Law School, criticized the U.S. attack as a violation of international law.
Vox
Why Democrats are blasting Biden’s attack against Iranian proxies in Syria
February 26, 2021
Mary Ellen O’Connell, a professor at Notre Dame and co-author of Self-Defense Against Non-State Actors, told me she agrees that the president should come to Congress when there is time to seek authorization.
Financial Times
US launches air strikes against Iran-linked militias in Syria
February 26, 2021
Mary Ellen O’Connell, an expert in the lawful use of force at the University of Notre Dame, described the act as a “grave violation of international law”, saying the US had no right to target Syrian soil in reprisal for an act committed in Iraq.
Associated Press
US bombs facilities in Syria used by Iran-backed militia
February 26, 2021
Mary Ellen O’Connell, a professor at Notre Dame Law School, criticized the U.S. attack as a violation of international law.
Al Jazeera
First US military action under Biden draws criticism
February 26, 2021
Mary Ellen O’Connell, a professor at Notre Dame Law School, criticised the US attack as a violation of international law.