Empire (Star Wars) or Utopia (Star Trek)? The Predictive Power of History, Policy, and Pop Culture - Episode Two


Episode Two: Perfidy in Space -- Do Klingons Follow the Geneva Conventions?

Episode Two builds on the theme set during Episode One on 26 May that science fiction may serve as an example of State practice regarding legal principles in outer space considering the lack of documented State practice in this domain.

If there was a war in outer space, what legal principles would apply? The Outer Space Treaty clearly states that outer space must be kept free from conflict. However, as the highest of high ground, States, corporations, and individuals have an interest in thinking through legal principles that could apply in a conflict that takes place in outer space. The panelists will ground their comments around Star Trek: Discovery, season one, episode two, "Battle at the Binary Stars" which features use of force in a conflict in outer space that parallels perfidy and other principles of the laws of armed conflict. This is the second event in the Empire (Star Wars) or Utopia (Star Trek)? The Predictive Power of History, Policy, and Pop Culture event series.

Speakers:

  • Michelle L.D. Hanlon, University of Mississippi School of Law Center for Air and Space Law
  • Thomas Harper, International Humanitarian Law, Office of the General Counsel, American Red Cross National Headquarters
  • Samantha Shyam, Clara Barton International Humanitarian Law Fellow, American Red Cross National Headquarters
  • Tracy L. Reynolds (moderator), Co-Chair, ASIL Space Law Interest Group

This event is organized by ASIL's Space Law Interest Group.