Professor Michael Bothe is one of the most prominent and influential scholars of international humanitarian law. His publications on legal restraints on the use of military force were not only important at the time of their publication. They continue to be relevant for the interpretation and further development of this highly important area of international law. This volume uniquely collects a wealth of writings that demonstrate that political ideals coupled with a sense of human responsibility can benefit from solid doctrinal underpinnings in international law. Michael Bothe's work brings together idealism, pragmatism and the law in a unique fashion that not only provides insights into important matters of every day politics but also serves as a stimulus for future contributions to the field. The volume thus provides guidance, food for thought and incentives for debate in the international legal community, among practitioners and academics alike. Michael’s doctrinal skills, combined with his contextualized assessment of the law, and his deep empathy for the needs of human beings in difficult situations, with a particular view to the victims of armed conflict, will provide a stimulus to scholars to address these issues in the future.