Abstract:
The emergence of new technologies such as nanoteachnology, cybertechnology,
outer space and unmanned systems and its rapid development have had an impact on the
existing rules of international law, and vice versa, due to advances in technology of weaponry.
Handling such situations by law goes through interpretation by the ‘old’ international law
and application to a new situation, or if necessary via the enactment of new law. In some
cases, existing international law might be applicable to it by the extension of as the appropriate
reinterpretation of international conventional norms as customary international law
counterparts. Despite the fact that some international laws have been adopted during times of
reduced development of technologies and weaponry types, they are nevertheless still likely to be
applicable to the challenges and issues of security threats. Given the examples of using chemical
weapons and cyber-attacks, this can be considered evidence of weaknesses of some international
law norms due to interpretation issues as necessity to strength existing law through application
of customary international law rules. Therefore, it is difficult to state that international law
is unable to secure peace or help to avoid the threats inherent to new technology and weapons
development because of states practice and the contribution of academics.
