ANU experts react to Australian airstrikes in Syria annoucement »

In the absence of clear legal authority, Australian military involvement in Syria raises issues in terms of precedent for military operations in other parts of the world. Leading ANU experts in law, international relations and defence policy have reacted to Prime Minister Tony Abbott's announcment that cabinet has approved air strikes against ISIS in Syria. Professor Donald Rothwell, Professor of International Law and Deputy Dean, ANU College of Law "Is Australia now intending to assert a more expansive right of self defence aligned with the US position it has taken during the 'global war on terror?" Professor Amin Saikal, Director, ANU Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies "The expansion of Australian air operations into Syria is unlikely to make much of a difference in defeating ISIS. Reversely, it could help the Assad regime which is also responsible for conflict and human tragedies that have been inflicted on Syria. The region does not need more bombs and human misery but a strategy that addresses the root causes that give rise to extremist groups." Associate-Professor David Letts , Co-Director, Australian Centre for Military and Security Law "In the absence of clear legal authority, Australian military involvement in Syria raises issues in terms of precedent for military operations in other parts of the world. Clouding the issue by claiming moral authority as a means of glossing over the lack of legal authority is not helpful." Adjunct Professor Bob Bowker, ANU Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies "Syrian airstrikes are likely to increase the impact overall on ISIS and its capacity to operate in Iraq.