The international legal frame sets a number of rules globally regarded as binding the relations between states. In the humanitarian context it sets the rules of humanitarian intervention and protection of populations in an armed conflict situation. Recent evolutions in the international legal framework are making the operating environment increasingly challenging for the humanitarian sector. This situation is reinforced by the divergent behavior of states regarding international norms.

Key insights

• Increasing divergence in the behavior of states will undermine the customary nature of many international norms.

• Private and informal international actors will develop new forms of rulemaking