This book covers all the traditional topics of public international law such as the nature and sources of international law, the law of treaties, jurisdiction, personality and the peaceful settlement of disputes. More specific topics are also considered and these include human rights, the use of force, the laws of war and the growing body of international environmental law. The book aims, wherever possible, to identify the current areas of controversy, giving details of the main arguments and providing the authors own comment. The law and its application are illustrated by reference to current international events, such as the recent upheavals in the area of the former Yugoslavia.