Critical Commentary on Nuclear Weapons and InternationalLaw
in the Post Cold War World

by
Charles J. Moxley, Jr.
(Austin & Winfield, Publishers June 2000)

Robert S. McNamara

           Professor Moxley has given  us the best exposition that I have seen of the irrationality of the U.S. policy in this area, the irrationality of the policies of the other nuclear weapons states, and the irrationality of the human race in permitting the potential use of these weapons to continue.
           I urge the President and the Congress to investigate the claim Professor Moxley makes that, given all of the risk factors, the use of nuclear weapons is per se unlawful under rules of law long recognized by the United States.
           Professor Moxley has done us a great service by inviting us to engage this historic opportunity.  Nuclear Weapons and International Law in the Post Cold War World will be an indispensable reference work for all who wish to debate the issue.

From the Foreword by
Robert S. McNamara
Secretary of Defense, Johnson and Kennedy Administrations
President of World Bank, 1968-1981

David W. Leebron

           This is a bold and provocative work, and will be controversial.  This comprehensive and ambitious work must undoubtedly figure in future debates on this most important of subjects.    Professor Moxley seizes this moment to set forth the arguments that require a response.

From the Foreword by
David W. Leebron
Dean and Lucy G. Moses Professor of Law
Columbia University

Kosta Tsipis

           It is truly startling to see the extent to which the United States has itself recognized the principles of international law form which the unlawfulness of the use of nuclear weapons is evident based on the inevitable effects of such weapons.  Moxley literally shows the unlawfulness of these weapons out of the United States' own mouth.
           I welcome Professor Moxley's exhaustive and erudite examination of the legality of nuclear weapons.  It is essential that our understanding of the law catch up with our understanding of the technical and policy forces.  We should not squander the present historic opportunity to come to grips with the legal restraints on these weapons rather than continuing to legitimize them.

From the Foreword by
Kosta Tsipis
(Retired) Director of the Program in Science
and Technology for International Security of
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Jerome J. Shestack

           Charles Moxley's thesis that nuclear weapons violate international law may be this century's most important advance towards a peaceable world order.  His book should make you worry, make you think and above all, impel you to make his case against nuclear weapons your case.

Jerome J. Shestack
Past President, American Bar Association

Lawrence E. Walsh

           Professor Moxley has written a thoughtful, well researched and clearly stated exposition of a fundamental issue of the twenty-first century, the confrontation of a policy of nuclear deterrence and use of instruments of mass destruction with the rule of law as presently understood and acceptable standards of safety.

Lawrence E. Walsh
Independent Counsel, Iran/Contra, 1986-1994
President, American Bar Association, 1975-1976

Cyrus Vance

           Professor Moxley's book is a broad-ranging treatment of a complex subject that will contribute to the debate.  The combination of international law, nuclear weapons policy, and technical analysis makes interesting reading.

Cyrus Vance
Secretary of State, Carter Administration

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