Challenges to International Law in the Grey Zone

This symposium examines the conflict with the revolutionary Islamic regime of Iran — and its allies and proxies — through the lens of the “grey zone”: the space between war and peace where geopolitical objectives are pursued through sub-threshold hostilities.

Hybrid actors such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hezbollah, and Hamas, operating through transnational networks and often in coordination with state actors, challenge existing legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms. Established legal paradigms — including occupation, human rights, self-defence, and genocide — are increasingly contested and, in some cases, insufficient to address contemporary realities.

This symposium will examine these developments through the framework of the “grey zone”, exploring how state and non-state actors operate below the threshold of open armed conflict while still achieving strategic objectives.

The discussion will focus on the implications of these developments for international law, as well as for European and global governance.

Bringing together leading scholars, legal practitioners, and engaged participants, the event aims to foster serious analysis, meaningful dialogue, and practical insights.

Please note : prior registration is required.