Protecting Cultural Heritage in Armed Conflict: Looking Back, Looking Forward

The article argues that the destruction and looting of cultural property during armed conflicts, as exemplified by the 2003 Gulf War and its aftermath, highlight the urgent need for stronger enforcement of international legal frameworks, particularly the 1954 Hague Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. The failure of the United States to ratify this convention undermines global efforts to protect cultural heritage, despite the U.S. military already adhering to some of its principles through other legal frameworks. The article advocates for U.S. ratification of both the 1954 Hague Convention and its protocols to address gaps in legal mechanisms and prevent future losses to cultural heritage.