The Gist Paul D. Miller: "International Law Is Not the Same Thing as Justice"
Jan 30, 2026
Paul D. Miller, a Georgetown professor and former CIA analyst and Army intelligence officer, discusses war, law, and reconciliation. He questions equating international law with moral justice. Short takes cover Israel-Hamas complexity, just war principles, double standards in international judgment, and how post-conflict reconciliation must be locally accepted.
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Just Cause Doesn’t Excuse Excesses
- Miller applies just war theory to separate just cause from unlawful conduct in war.
- He concedes a state can have just cause yet still commit mistaken or excessive acts.
Hold Your Own Accountable
- Miller recommends holding wartime wrongdoers accountable to maintain moral authority.
- He cites court-martials like My Lai as examples of necessary internal discipline.
Prioritize Local Accountability
- Miller advises that accountability should primarily come from within a country after conflict.
- He counsels local-led investigations and reforms rather than external imposition.
